criminalistic – International Institute of Forensic Expertise (IIFE)

The Bias You Never See: How Forensic Objectivity Is Compromised Before You Even Begin

I’ve seen bias more times than I can count. Felt it breathing down my neck in courtrooms. I watched it silently eat through science like rust. And the worst part? Most of the time, I can’t stop it. I’m just watching. Watching while objectivity dies in silence.

Let me be blunt. A forensic investigator from the state police, let’s say an officer from the LKA or in the US, the FBI, testifying as a “neutral” expert witness? That’s a joke. She’s not neutral. She’s part of the prosecution. She will never lift a finger to exonerate the accused. She won’t do a damn thing if it might help the defense because neutrality isn’t rewarded. Obedience is.

05/04/2025/by George A. Rauscher

How Reliable Is a Fingerprint? A Forensic Deep Dive into Science, Tech and Real-World Challenges

criminalistic, general

Over the years, one question has followed me through countless conversations, courtrooms, and conferences: How reliable is a fingerprint? It’s the kind of query that sounds simple but unravels into a tangle of science, technology, and human judgment. That’s why I teamed up with my colleague, Dr. Maria-Louise Morgott, to tackle it head-on in our latest paper, Forensic Fingerprint Analysis: Evaluating Scientific Foundations, Technological Innovations, and Judicial Implications. This blog post pulls out the key threads from that work, offering a detailed rundown for forensic buffs, legal minds, and anyone curious about the gritty reality behind those ridges on your fingertips.

22/03/2025/by George A. Rauscher

The Strange Death of Jeffrey Epstein: Investigating the Inconsistencies

anthropology, criminalistic, news

Jeffrey Epstein’s sudden jailhouse death in August 2019 shocked the world and immediately ignited a firestorm of speculation. Officially, authorities ruled the 66-year-old financier’s demise a suicide by hanging. Yet from the moment his body was found on the morning of August 10, disturbing questions and contradictions have cast doubt on that conclusion. Epstein was a wealthy and well-connected inmate facing federal sex-trafficking charges, arguably one of the most high-profile prisoners in the country, but he died under highly irregular circumstances. From odd autopsy findings and mysteriously malfunctioning cameras to negligent guards and inexplicable decisions by jail officials, nearly every aspect of his death is cloaked in suspicious inconsistencies. This investigative exposé will delve deeply into the key areas of doubt, drawing on a wide range of reputable sources [New York Post, 2019; Washington Post, 2019] to unravel what really happened. Each inconsistency is backed by documented facts from multiple outlets, revealing a pattern of evidence that just doesn’t add up.

28/02/2025/by George A. Rauscher

The Skull in the Garden: Hidden Corpses Unveiling Centuries-Old Secrets – and Why Modern Forensics Brings the Truth to Light

anthropology, criminalistic

It was one of those warm summer afternoons when the air was heavy and the heat oppressive. In the idyllic suburb at the edge of town, where most gardens were blooming oases of tranquility, the new homeowner had big plans. The old garden, which until then had been little more than a collection of wild bushes and patches of grass, was to give way to a chic pool. A dream project meant to give the property the final polish. But the dream quickly turned into a nightmare when the excavator’s bucket suddenly hit something hard – a human skull.

05/09/2024/by George A. Rauscher

The Dark Side of AI: A Growing Threat to Child Protection

criminalistic, digital forensic

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has already revolutionized many aspects of life, but it has also exposed a dark side that demands urgent attention: the creation and distribution of AI-generated child abuse imagery. This emerging form of crime poses a significant threat, challenging law enforcement agencies while raising fundamental ethical and societal concerns.

08/08/2024/by George A. Rauscher

Crime in Transition: A Decade of Dramatic Changes in Germany

criminalistic

Germany has undergone significant changes over the last ten years, which are also reflected in the police crime statistics (PKS). These statistics serve as a comprehensive mirror of crime development and prevention in the country. A comparison between the years 2013 and 2023 not only reveals changes in crime rates but also profound societal developments and adaptations within the police force itself.

24/07/2024/by George A. Rauscher

Corpse Stains: Formation, Persistence and Significance in Forensic Photography

anthropology, criminalistic, image forensic

Corpse stains, also known as livores, form a complex mosaic of discolorations that has left the forensic world in awe for centuries. These postmortem markings, which occur as blood accumulates in the lowest parts of the body after death, offer a treasure trove of information invaluable for determining the time of death and conducting extensive forensic investigations. But what exactly lies behind these enigmatic stains that appear like silent witnesses after a person’s passing?

16/04/2023/by George A. Rauscher

Police Crime Statistics 2017

criminalistic, general

Over the last twelve months, it appears that many things have improved. Certainly, one of the most remarkable developments is the ostensibly increased safety in the country, as suggested by the German Police Crime Statistics 2017. But does this claim genuinely rest on a solid foundation, or are the presented data at best misleading?

22/07/2018/by George A. Rauscher

Introduction to the German PKS 2015: Dark Revelations and Astonishing Insights

criminalistic

The year 2015: A year when more things coalesced in Germany than just the thick fog in autumn nights. The publication of the Police Crime Statistics (PKS) by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) not only piqued the curiosity of security experts and journalists. It felt like opening the first pages of a dark thriller, whose plot captivates with unexpected twists and open questions every few scenes.

27/04/2016/by George A. Rauscher