Posts

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.

Read more

Forensic science – this fascinating, multifaceted realm in which natural scientific techniques are employed to solve criminal activities – harbors secrets and insights that captivate the mind. One of the brightest stars in the forensic firmament is the dating of human remains, a process that is indispensable in criminal investigations. Radiocarbon dating, widely known as C14 analysis, stands out for its precision and reliability. Let us illuminate the magical potential and the inevitable limitations of this method in the context of modern forensics.

Read more

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?

Read more