Search

The cold case search for clandestine graves can be challenging due to the length of time elapsed since the crime and the search environment changing itself. This paper reports on a cold case search for “Christine”, a young girl who was reported missing in the mid-1970s in the East Midlands, UK. Once a search sub-area was determined by case reports and new intelligence in rural woodland, a police ground search proved unsuccessful. A multi-phased geoforensic search investigation, using remote sensing and UAV drones, metal detector, EM and dGPS surveys, was subsequently undertaken, with collected data processed and analysed. Results showed 36 discrete dGPS-surveyed metal detector and 3 EM priority targets to be identified which were all intrusively investigated but nothing case-relevant was found. Study implications suggest careful multi-phase remote and geoforensic investigations can give confidence in cold case no-body searches, saving police operational time and costs in such cold case investigations.

• International academia-industry teams can advance missing persons investigations. • This innovative model actively supports knowledge exchange between all involved. • Students develop key skills through an authentic learning environment. • New investigative leads are initiated, and police resources optimised. • Recommendations are made to support others seeking to adopt a similar model. In recent years, students in police academies and higher education institutions around the world have worked together to analyse cold cases including long-term missing persons cases in collaboration with investigators and prosecutors. In 2020, three European organisations, the Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP), AMBER Alert Europe and Locate International, succeeded in connecting these educational organisations enabling them to work collectively on cases and conduct cold case analyses (CCA) across international borders. The International Cold Case Analysis Project (ICCAP) learning objectives were to 1) collect the necessary information about the victim, 2) reconstruct the crime, and 3) investigate trace control. In a learning objective-based evaluation using Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing, 76 participating students from the German and International ICCAP teams were asked to complete a pre- and post-review questionnaire to self-assess their personal competence development. Participants reported significant increases in competence in all evaluated areas, thus demonstrating that authentic and relevant collaborations can enrich the learning environment, promote the use of professional skills, and provide significant knowledge exchange opportunities between academia and industry. Drawing on case studies of cold case missing persons' investigations and unidentified found remains, this article shares how university academics, students and community volunteers can work together nationally and internationally to find out what has happened to missing people and how we can more effectively identify the previously unidentified. In so doing, we share the expertise required to progress these cold cases and provide recommendations to support other institutions and organisations in adopting this innovative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropologists are often the custodians of long-term unidentified human remains though their positions as curators of university or museum skeletal collections. Various factors decrease the solvability of these legacy cases including the passage of time, the loss of provenience for specific cases, and lack of documentation or case records. While anthropologists can contribute important information toward identification, it is often necessary to explore novel and cross-disciplinary strategies to resolve difficult cold cases.In long cold cases, the postmortem interval, in particular, may be difficult to estimate leading to further challenges in achieving identification. Modern advances in radiocarbon bomb pulse dating, isotope analysis, and actualistic studies have contributed to positive identification of unidentified human remains in some legacy cases, but may not be available to all forensic practitioners and law enforcement from resource-poor agencies. Pooling resources, as well as collaborating with professionals outside of forensic anthropology, is a useful strategy to pursue when anthropological methods are exhausted.The case study presented here demonstrates a collaborative approach between forensic anthropologists, forensic genetic genealogists, and law enforcement in a century-old homicide. The dismembered and mummified parts of a male body were recovered in a remote cave in 1979 and again in 1991. Despite forensic anthropologists creating and updating the biological profile over the decades from recovery to present, no identification was made until the application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to the case in 2019. New interpretations of bone microstructure and trauma analysis are presented for the case, alongside the historical documentation and “proof of life” evidence used by the genealogy team. A review of the FGG methods underscores the challenges in this case (e.g. significant endogamy, multiple aliases used by the victim) and the steps taken toward resolution. Ultimately, a combined anthropology and genealogy approach resulted in a confirmed identity for a man who was murdered in 1916.Key pointsForensic scientists should leverage a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach toward human identification.When combined with forensic anthropology methods, forensic genetic genealogy is a valuable tool linking biological and cultural-historical aspects of identity.Forensic anthropologists should review challenging cases in their labs as new methods are introduced and new resources become available.

Cold case reviews within police and law enforcement agencies are challenging, not the least owing to the amount of time required to carefully review documentation, forensic exhibit holdings and various other casefile information. Most federal and state agencies are time poor, meaning there are very few dedicated cold case teams fortunate enough to have an abundance of police and expert staff resources. Universities and education organisations, however, have large troves of various expertise, alongside expansive human resources, by way of their academic and student body. In certain circumstances, the academic expertise and course offerings of a university may be well suited to assisting law enforcement in reviewing cold cases. There is growing desire for university courses to generate job ready graduates. In the field of law enforcement and policing this is difficult, as safety and the security of sensitive material and evidence is paramount. Educators strive to create workplace simulations, and with the correct mix of academic expertise, course offerings and industry linkages, the emerging opportunity for real cold case collaboration is possible. One such example is the Cold Case Review @ Murdoch (CCR) initiative. Since 2020, CCR has worked with the Lower Saxony Police Academy in Germany to develop the novel International Cold Case Analysis Project (ICCAP), now incorporating over 25 member institutions, to assist in solving real cases from both Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) and federal police jurisdictions. One case, known as "The North Sea Man" has shown great success and demonstrates the power of joining forces between law enforcement and external agencies to help advance cold cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropologists are often the custodians of long-term unidentified human remains though their positions as curators of university or museum skeletal collections. Various factors decrease the solvability of these legacy cases including the passage of time, the loss of provenience for specific cases, and lack of documentation or case records. While anthropologists can contribute important information toward identification, it is often necessary to explore novel and cross-disciplinary strategies to resolve difficult cold cases. In long cold cases, the postmortem interval, in particular, may be difficult to estimate leading to further challenges in achieving identification. Modern advances in radiocarbon bomb pulse dating, isotope analysis, and actualistic studies have contributed to positive identification of unidentified human remains in some legacy cases, but may not be available to all forensic practitioners and law enforcement from resource-poor agencies. Pooling resources, as well as collaborating with professionals outside of forensic anthropology, is a useful strategy to pursue when anthropological methods are exhausted.The case study presented here demonstrates a collaborative approach between forensic anthropologists, forensic genetic genealogists, and law enforcement in a century-old homicide. The dismembered and mummified parts of a male body were recovered in a remote cave in 1979 and again in 1991. Despite forensic anthropologists creating and updating the biological profile over the decades from recovery to present, no identification was made until the application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to the case in 2019. New interpretations of bone microstructure and trauma analysis are presented for the case, alongside the historical documentation and "proof of life" evidence used by the genealogy team. A review of the FGG methods underscores the challenges in this case (e.g. significant endogamy, multiple aliases used by the victim) and the steps taken toward resolution. Ultimately, a combined anthropology and genealogy approach resulted in a confirmed identity for a man who was murdered in 1916. Forensic scientists should leverage a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach toward human identification. When combined with forensic anthropology methods, forensic genetic genealogy is a valuable tool linking biological and cultural-historical aspects of identity. Forensic anthropologists should review challenging cases in their labs as new methods are introduced and new resources become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Solving serious crimes such as sexual assault, rape, and murder takes a considerable amount of investigation time. Despite efforts, many crimes may be unsolved, and go 'cold'. These cases are typically extensive and reviewing the material can be prohibitively time consuming. The current manuscript proposes the combination of two methods, or 'tools', for timeline analyses: Matrix Forecasting and Behaviour Sequence Analysis (BSA). Matrix Forecasting provides a clear and comprehensive approach to outlining predictions investigators make, the rationale underlying these predictions, the accuracy, and the evidence. Matrix Forecasting also outlines areas for future investigation, for example, if new technology becomes available or new test results are returned. The BSA provides a statistical, visual pathway map that outlines the proposed or proven steps in a crime. The combination of these methods provides a new approach to mapping criminal investigations and has been effectively used in several real-world cold case reviews. To illustrate the benefits of this combined approach, a real-world example, the Jeffrey MacDonald, aka Green Beret Killer case, will be analysed using Matrix Forecasting and BSA to show the benefits of the method in terms of providing a quick-guide for future review and solvability factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forensic Science & Technology is the property of Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Personal identification in mass disasters and in crimes is essential for humanitarian, ethical and legal reasons. In these contexts, when individuals cannot be identified by standard forensic DNA analysis, the Forensic DNA Phenotyping and the analysis of the biogeographical ancestry could help. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a new panel of 891 SNPs in predicting phenotypic traits and biogeographical origin to create a "biological identikit". In addition to fresh biological material, old evidence found at the crime scene or extracted and long-term stored DNA were tested with 41 SNPs for phenotyping and 850 SNPs for ancestry. All the SNPs were successfully incorporated into a single two-step multiplex PCR reaction using the IonAmpliSeq ™ Library Plus and applied for massive parallel sequencing with the Ion S5 platform using up to 0.05 ng/µL of DNA. The analysis of the results was carried out with an in-house predictive algorithm and consulting 20 population databases. By comparing the results obtained with identikit or video-photographic surveys, it was possible to predict phenotype and ancestry with an accuracy greater than 90%. While these new markers cannot identify a specific individual, they can be a valuable investigative tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the nature of unsolved homicide, a complicated dynamic exists between survivors of cold case homicides and law enforcement personnel. The current study utilizes interviews with 24 survivors to explore the perceptions associated with this relationship. Employing a grounded theory framework, we find several themes depicted within these narratives that guide survivors' overall perceptions of their relationship with law enforcement, including investigative and communication efforts. Results indicate that the survivors universally perceive original detectives were incompetent or ineffective in their original investigation, thus leading to the unsolved status of their case. Over time, secondary and current investigators were also perceived as unable to properly investigate, due to challenges such as insufficient evidence or simply not conducting a comprehensive examination of the case. Regardless of this negative view of police activity on the case, relationships were defined by the level and nature of communication survivors had with their detective. Families who felt listened to, included, and/or valued reported a positive relationship with police that allowed them to trust their case was in good hands. Participants who perceived communication to be secretive, misleading, or completely absent noted strained relationships and further disappointment. Survivors may adopt roles, such as investigator, spokesperson, or advocate, to help compensate for their perception that the case is not properly cared for by police. With regard to grief progress and health of cold case homicide survivors, it is possible treatment by law enforcement outweighs the significant of case resolution years after the homicide. Recommendations for more productive survivor/police interactions are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forensic Science & Technology is the property of Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of psychology to the investigation of cold cases. The paper reviews the development of the discipline of operational psychology and reviews the role of the Behavioural Science Unit in assisting with cold case investigations within New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: The paper integrates theory, academic principles, and practical investigative experience. Findings: As a field, operational psychology has a wide application to cold case investigations. The main areas where expertise can be provided, includes, indirect assessment and personality profiles, offender profiling, crime analysis, victimology and equivocal death analysis, and in the interviewing and engagement of offenders. Operational psychology advice should be based upon sound reasoning, evidenced based conclusion, and within the bounds of practitioner competence. Psychologists should seek to educate investigators on probabilities, likelihoods and error rates, and endeavour to indicate the strength of conclusions and statements provided within a report. Originality/value: The review aims to provide the necessary and relevant impetus for integrating operational, or forensic psychology expertise into cold case investigations. The application of psychological science to police investigations has been subject to numerous academic commentaries, however, there is a dearth of involvement from practitioners practicing in the field.

The number of foreign citizens resident in Italy is approximately 5 million, making them the 8.7% of the resident population of the country. However, over the past 20 years, foreign citizens accounted for 24% of the total number of defendants involved in homicides, especially associated with robbery, disputes and assaults, generally connected to prostitution. Investigations of cases in the context of culturally diverse or minority communities can be particularly complex. This is due to the education, the cultural background and the cohesiveness of the community, alongside a negative view of law enforcement. These factors determine a relatively low resolution rate of these violent crimes in these communities.The investigation of the suspicious death of an Indian citizen living in Italy is presented in this paper. The body was discovered in a cattle shed, and despite the initial assumption of an accidental death, the cranial lesions were not consistent with the view that the death was caused by a kick by a cow. The results of a multidisciplinary analysis, including imaging, pathology, toxicology and veterinary forensics, were directed towards a homicide, with the manner of death ultimately filed as undetermined. During the course of the investigation, the collaboration between law enforcement and the community was thwart with difficulty, and as a consequence this case is currently unsolved. In order for law enforcement to continue to play a constructive and supportive role, it is imperative that every country invest in civil education of local population and of any ethnic groups, minorities and culturally diverse people.

Jane, Arnna, and Grant Beaumont went missing from Glenelg Beach in Adelaide, South Australia on 26 January (Australia Day) 1966. Despite multiple land and sea searches over nearly 60 years, the children have not been found. New credible eyewitness testimony led to a site of interest at the now disused New Castalloy factory in North Plympton, Adelaide. This site has a complex stratigraphy of anthropogenic fill, which made ground penetrating radar (GPR) investigations unpromising. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), while not commonly used in a forensic capacity, provided an alternative approach that allowed suitable depth penetration to resolve a feature of interest, which was subsequently excavated by the South Australia Police. This feature did contain organic, and animal remains but, sadly, not the grave of Jane, Arnna, and Grant Beaumont. However, this investigation highlights the potential to use ERT in a forensic capacity, as well as the limitations of using geophysical techniques for covert burial detection. • The Beaumont investigation is one of Australia's longest-running cold cases. • GPR and ERT were used to survey an area of interest at the New Castalloy factory. • Extensive anthropogenic fill on site made the site challenging for GPR survey. • ERT identified a grave-like stratigraphic feature with anomalous resistivity values. • Subsequent excavation of grave-like feature did not contain human remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deceased human remains are often buried as a forensic countermeasure or method of disposal by homicide perpetrators. Owing to this, the excavation of clandestine grave sites is a task that forensic crime scene teams may only encounter a few times a year. Not all crime scene units have specialised teams for this task, and even those that do, may not have specific protocols for the optimal recovery of forensic traces retained within grave fill as procedures such as sieving require optimisation for the specific soil conditions of the jurisdiction. This study aimed to define the optimal sieving conditions for a sandy environment when searching for minute traces of paint, glass, hair and fibres. Furthermore, this study justifies the practice of retaining grave fill and examining it under controlled laboratory conditions, rather than in-situ adjacent to the grave site. The results demonstrate that using sieve mesh sizes as fine as 0.1 mm can recover up to 82% of the deposited traces and almost all paint, hair and glass traces. The processing of grave fill in the laboratory lead to increased yield of forensic evidence, which on a case-basis may warrant the increased time needed. These findings merit consideration for clandestine grave crime scenes where evidence is scarce or the case is likely to become cold. • With sieve mesh sizes as fine as 0.1 mm, up to 82% of deposited traces were recovered. • Retaining grave fill and examining in a laboratory environment improved recovery of traces. • Almost all traces were recovered from grave fill using 0.5 mm sieve mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Average efficiency of manufacturer's protocol recovers approx. 50% or input DNA regardless of elution volume. • Successive (or double) elution improves DNA recovery. • Incorporation of carrier RNA to lysis buffer improves DNA recovery. • Both successive elution and carrier RNA addition can maximise recovery of DNA to approx. 95% • Centrifugal filters can achieve concentration of DNA post-extraction but are lossy. In forensic laboratories, increased extraction efficiency of trace evidence is paramount because analytical success is intrinsically dependent on the quantity of DNA recovered. Moreover, highly concentrated nucleic acids are vital for effective downstream analysis and high quality results. This study investigated the efficiency of extraction with the Qiagen® QIAamp® DNA Investigator kit, and explored improvements to the methodology that would maximise the recovery of low concentration forensic samples. Controlled amounts of starting cellular material were used to mimic trace (or low level) DNA deposits prior to DNA extraction with the Investigator kit. Addition of the provided carrier RNA along with conducting two successive elutions of 50 µL improved the net recovery of DNA to 95%. Concentration with centrifugal filters post-extraction were able to concentrate DNA but a large net loss was observed. For the concentration of historic, retrospectively extracted DNA, centrifugal methods are able to concentrate DNA extracts previously too dilute for analysis. These concentrated volumes, however are small, allowing for minimal downstream analysis attempts before the sample is exhausted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of molecular markers, such as STR (Short Tandem Repeats), was a fundamental event in Forensic Genetics. It was possible to obtain individual genetic profiles that allowed to properly identify individuals with small probability of error. Furthermore, police officers soon discovered the investigative value provided by DNA databanks, defined as a collection of individual DNA profiles usually used to investigate crimes and identify suspects. In this article, the authors present the most common use of these police databanks, comment their drawbacks and how to overcome them. The usage and value of police DNA databanks in special criminal situations are also explained: cold cases, familial searches and dragnets. These three particular situations are described and commented in this article. In sum­mary, although several technical, ethical-legal and internation­al aspects have to be improved, police DNA databanks are really powerful investigation tools that allow solving a large number of criminal cases.

Police witness intelligence stated a murdered adult male "Fred" had been vertically buried in wooded hilly terrain 30 years ago in the Midlands, U.K. Conventional search methods were unsuccessful; therefore, the police requested a geophysical investigation to be undertaken to determine whether "Fred" could be detected. A multiphased geophysical approach was conducted, using bulk ground conductivity and metal detectors, then follow‐up magnetics and ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey profiles on electromagnetic (EM) anomalous areas. A tight grid pattern was used to account for the reduced target size. Relatively high‐resolution EM and GPR techniques were determined optimal for this terrain and sandy soil. Geophysical anomalies were identified and the most promising intrusively investigated, and this was found to be a large boulder and tree roots. Study implications suggest careful multiphase geophysical surveys are best practice and give confidence in cold case searches. This study yielded a no‐body result, effectively saving police time and costs from further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archival medical examiner specimens may contain perpetrator DNA evidence useful in unsolved ("cold case") homicides. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) histology slide archives were searched for sexual assault smears for all 376 female homicides from 1990 to 1999. Of these, the OCME had sexual assault smears on 84 of which 13 slides had sperm. Of these 13, six were still unsolved. DNA profiles were obtained on all six (5 from smears and one from swabs). Combined DNA Index System (submission resulted in two matches ("hits") for new suspects. In addition, three suspects were eliminated in two cases. Our review of archival sexual assault smears resulted in DNA profiles that were able to assist in the investigation of four cold case homicide investigations. It may be worthwhile for medical examiner offices to search their archival histology slides for sexual assault smears on previously unsolved cases particularly those prior to the mid‐1990s when DNA testing was less widely available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanoacrylate fuming, rhodamine 6G staining and 532 nm laser light visualization were used to reveal a thirty-year-old fingermark on a plastic bag discovered at a double homicide scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bayes thereom is a useful approach in highlighting the limitations of GSR evidence. • Research into the prevalence of GSR by the scientific community is limited. • Indicative particles of GSR are not in the main reported in England and Wales. • No significance can be attached to the finding of a low level (1–3 particles) of GSR. • Total transparency is needed when assessing the significance of GSR evidence. This paper details the review of the gunshot residue (GSR) evidence relating to a 2002 murder involving the discharge of a pistol where the Prosecution used the GSR findings together with voice identification evidence and obtained a conviction in the case of R v Dwaine George. Mr George was subsequently represented by Cardiff University Law School's Innocence Project who made representations to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) based on issues relating to the GSR evidence. The CCRC commissioned their own expert review and based on these findings referred the conviction to the Court of Appeal stating that in their opinion the weight of the GSR evidence was not appropriately conveyed to the jury at the original Trial and there should have been a warning relating to the limited significance that could be attached to the evidence. The Court of Appeal concluded that had the jury been aware of the full extent of the potential alternative sources of GSR in the case and the limited number of particles found on a jacket related to Mr George then this would have affected the decision of the Trial jury. The appeal was allowed and the convictions were quashed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever changing technology is allowing law enforcement/crime laboratories the ability to use new advances to solve old cases. Exonerations through advances in DNA testing have become increasingly common. However, other forensic disciplines are also utilizing new technologies, which are providing investigative leads and case closures. One advancement is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Next Generation Identification (NGI) biometric system, which has enhanced the field of print identification. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) Latent Evidence Unit is utilizing NGI to assist in solving "Cold Cases." While the OSBI cold case project has been successful, reviewing old evidence and case files, while keeping up with current casework, can be challenging. However, the recognition and application of such powerful technology is warranted, as demonstrated by the success that has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretation and statistical evaluation of mixed DNA profiles often presents a particular challenge in forensic DNA investigations. Only in specific combinations can single cellular components of a mixture be assigned to one contributor. In this study, the DEPArray™ technology, which enables image-assisted immunofluorescent-sorting of rare single cells using dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, was applied together with different preliminary tests to identify the individual/s who contributed blood to a given mixture. The technique was successfully applied in two routine casework samples. In order to ascertain how old a stain can be and still be processed successfully, white blood cells from two 10- and one 27-year-old stains were investigated. Depending on the stain's age, the associated DNA degradation level and the number of target cells successfully isolated, the final profile reflects a compromise between the gain of information due to isolation of pure cells of a specific cell type from a single contributor and the loss of discriminatory power due to incomplete profiles caused by DNA degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the 5 January 1983, 10-year-old Louise Bell was abducted while she slept in her bedroom, south of Adelaide. Louise was never seen again. This high profile case had a significant impact on the lives of Louise's friends and family, as well as the general public of South Australia. The case remained unsolved for over 30 years. In November 2016, Dieter Pfennig was convicted for the abduction and murder of Louise Bell. Forensic Short Tandem Repeat (STR) typing performed as part of a cold case examination was a crucial element to solving this case. The case is of broader interest since it reflects the developments in forensic genetic STR typing over the last decade, particularly in the methodologies for evaluation of the evidence. This case marks the end of the 'Low Copy Number' (LCN) debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While police make an arrest in the majority of homicide cases occurring annually in the United States, a portion remain unsolved and are eventually classified as "cold cases." Family members of the victims are not only left grieving the loss of their loved ones, but also plagued by the knowledge that the murderer has yet to be officially identified or held accountable. How do these family members-cold case homicide survivors-navigate their open-ended journey through grief? Using a social constructivist approach, we analyze in-depth interviews with 24 cold case homicide survivors to describe the unique dimensions of their experience, including how their hopes are tied to understandings of achieving justice for their loved ones. Three themes emerge from their narratives: a certainty that the killers will be identified; a demand for the harshest punishment possible; and an underlying anxiety about what the identification of the offender will ultimately mean for them. We consider the implications of survivors' expectations for the future, especially for their relationships with the police, other family members, and the criminal justice process in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the progress of technologies, forensic genetic laboratories have been more frequently involved in "cold case". The aim of this study was to understand whether the DNA extracted and stored for a long time at−20 °C could be useful for new analyses in order to identify the perpetrator of unsolved crimes, especially when evidence is no longer available. We selected 120 DNA samples obtained from evidence collected at crime scene between 2001 and 2010: they were quantified again using Realtime PCR and the "Plexor HY System" kit. The results were compared with those obtained in the past. For 37 samples discrepancies were observed (i.e. positive quantification, identification of male material mixed with female ones). Then these samples were amplified with "AmpFISTR Identifiler Plus" and "PowerPlex ESI 17 Fast System" kits. Genetic profiles useful for a comparison were obtained for all the 37 analysed samples. In 5 samples mixed profiles were highlighted, unlike what was obtained in the past, and in addition, in 28 cases, where no genetic profile was previously typed, a genetic profile was also identified. The study shows how it is possible, even after a considerable time interval, to still obtain genetic profiles useful for a comparison, as well as the possibility of typing new ones. Comparing the results of the analysis of DNA polymorphisms it is possible to underline the improvement that the current techniques have brought to the typing of genetic profiles: regarding the attribution of gender and the perception of contributors within mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a homicide, survivors are thrust into relationships with a myriad of professionals. For cold case homicide survivors, these relationships are likely to develop into long-term, persistent interactions. Interviews from 24 cold case homicide survivors in the United States reveal that media professionals are often the source of additional trauma, and yet, most survivors expressed a need for continued communication and continued coverage of their case. Utilizing social constructivist grounded theory for data collection and analysis, common themes emerging from the survivors’ stories include inadequate coverage of the case, inaccurate portrayal of victim or information, negative reactions to the media, and positive experiences and desire for long-term coverage. Implications and recommendations for survivors and media professionals are detailed within. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Giorgio Agamben’s definition of the concept of profanation, this article aims at offering theoretical perspectives on intertextuality in American TV series. Not only may intertextual references in TV series desecrate canonical works and challenge long-lasting interpretive traditions, but their analysis may also broaden the scope of intertextual studies and renew our approach to the literary canon. The shows explored include Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009), Queer As Folk (2000-2005) and Cold Case (2003-2010).

The history of medicine abounds in cases of mysterious deaths, especially by infectious diseases, which were probably unresolved because of the lack of knowledge and of appropriate technology. The aim of this study was to exploit contemporary technologies to try to identify the cause of death of a young boy who died from a putative "infection" at the end of the 18th century, and for whom an extraordinarily well-preserved minute bone fragment was available. After confirming the nature of the sample, we used laser microdissection to select the most "informative" area to be examined. Tissue genotyping indicated male gender, thereby confirming the notary's report. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing showed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were more abundant than Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, and that Pseudomonas was the most abundant bacterial genus in the Pseudomonadaceae family. These data suggest that the patient most likely died from Pseudomonas osteomyelitis. This case is an example of how new technological approaches, like laser microdissection and next-generation sequencing, can resolve ancient cases of uncertain etiopathology. Lastly, medical samples may contain a wealth of information that may not be accessible until more sophisticated technology becomes available. Therefore, one may envisage the possibility of systematically storing medical samples for evaluation by future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2014, students of the Police Academy of Lower Saxony have processed the analysis of cold cases in cooperation with the responsible police departments and the district attorney. This study summarizes the early experiences of the training program and analyzes the benefits for both students and for the police and public prosecutors. The project's aim is to find supporting evidence through the implementation of a structured reconstruction of a crime, constructing data on victimology and possible offender's motives, and finally, to create a lead file controlling process on the complete cold case. All in all, students controlled 693 leads on 7 cases. 527 leads were finished or dead ends, but 166 had to be re-evaluated. Of those, 103 leads remained open while 23 leads were worthy of further investigative effort. Forensic re-analysis was recommended in 14 leads. Twelve times, the students came upon previously undetected cross-reportings of persons within a case or between different cases. Initial experiences with the program show that: (1) from the law enforcement authorities' view, the students' objective analysis does not reach the status of evidence but resulted in new leads in all cases that were worthy of investigation by professional detectives; and (2) the students report that they gained insight into how homicide investigations are organized and how to watch for factors that influence the solvability of homicides in a negative way. Summarizing, we can state that the program is a win-win for all involved. The overall aim to generate new starting points for an investigation was reached in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of an unsolved homicide, surviving family members are forced to cope with the murder and how it affects their family unit. This paper examines the experiences of 12 cold case homicide survivors from four families, providing a much needed voice to cold case homicide survivors. Utilizing in-depth interviews to understand the survivors' stories, five themes emerged including time spent with related survivors, becoming overprotective, impacts on existing relationships, pressure to stay strong and the difficulties of family traditions. The findings provide an initial framework for understanding the impact of a cold case homicide on the family unit for both survivors and related practitioners. The data indicates that throughout the grief process survivors should be encouraged to engage in private and collective grieving, recognize and address their behavioral and emotional changes, openly discuss the perceived impact on their relationships and reshape family traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – As a result of advances in DNA and other forensic technologies, police agencies are showing increased interest in cold-case investigations, with larger departments dedicating staff to conducting these investigations or forming cold-case squads. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on how police agencies organize and conduct cold-case investigations. Design/methodology/approach – To assess the current practices used in cold-case investigations, an exploratory survey was sent to a stratified random sample of police agencies across the US survey findings are based on 1,051 returns. Findings – Results include the following. Most agencies do little cold-case work, with only 20 percent having a protocol for initiating cold-case investigations, 10 percent having dedicated cold-case investigators, and 7 percent having a formal cold-case unit. Cold-case funding is tenuous: 20 percent of cold-case work is funded through line items in the budget, with most funded by grants or supplemental funds. Success rates for cold-case investigations are low: about one in five cases are cleared. Agency factors associated with higher clearance rates included level of funding and access to investigative databases. Practical implications – As new forensic tools are developed, cold-case investigations will become an increasingly prominent activity of criminal investigation units. The survey reported on in this paper gives the first glimpse of how agencies are handling these cases. Originality/value – To the knowledge, there are no other empirical studies on how agencies structure and conduct cold-case investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of medicine abounds in cases of mysterious deaths, especially by infectious diseases, which were probably unresolved because of the lack of knowledge and of appropriate technology. The aim of this study was to exploit contemporary technologies to try to identify the cause of death of a young boy who died from a putative “infection” at the end of the 18th century, and for whom an extraordinarily well-preserved minute bone fragment was available. After confirming the nature of the sample, we used laser microdissection to select the most “informative” area to be examined. Tissue genotyping indicated male gender, thereby confirming the notary’s report. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing showed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were more abundant than Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, and that Pseudomonas was the most abundant bacterial genus in the Pseudomonadaceae family. These data suggest that the patient most likely died from Pseudomonas osteomyelitis. This case is an example of how new technological approaches, like laser microdissection and next-generation sequencing, can resolve ancient cases of uncertain etiopathology. Lastly, medical samples may contain a wealth of information that may not be accessible until more sophisticated technology becomes available. Therefore, one may envisage the possibility of systematically storing medical samples for evaluation by future generations.

Questo saggio legge la letteratura poliziesca come l’incarnazione narrativa di una “fantasia di stato”, secondo le teorizzazioni di J. Rose e D. Pease, e nello specifico, una “fantasia di giustizia”. La funzione retorica complessiva del genere sarebbe dunque quella di creare un legame fra il soggetto-cittadino e lo stato moderno all’insegna di una promessa sempre differita di giustizia, nonostante l’evidenza empirica del male e dell’ingiustizia, svolgendo così nel mondo moderno e secolarizzato una funzione analoga a quella prima assolta dalla teodicea. Il saggio argomenta inoltre che tale funzione è stata ravvivata nel poliziesco televisivo degli USA dopo l’11 settembre 2001, allorché lo stato d’eccezione ha richiesto ai cittadini l’abdicazione ai propri diritti e l’accettazione di un nuovo modello di sovranità. Vengono poi esaminati alcuni esempi di tale funzione culturale nelle serie TV poliziesche degli anni 2000, concentrandosi in particolare sull’analisi della serie Cold Case, la cui strategia retorica (in particolare sul piano della gestione della temporalità narrativa e di alcuni tropi ricorrenti, tra cui l’apparizione del fantasma) viene interpretata come un tentativo di risoluzione simbolica di alcune tensioni politiche e culturali degli USA post-11 settembre.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of psychology to the investigation of cold cases. The paper reviews the development of the discipline of operational psychology and reviews the role of the Behavioural Science Unit in assisting with cold case investigations within New Zealand., Design/methodology/approach: The paper integrates theory, academic principles, and practical investigative experience., Findings: As a field, operational psychology has a wide application to cold case investigations. The main areas where expertise can be provided, includes, indirect assessment and personality profiles, offender profiling, crime analysis, victimology and equivocal death analysis, and in the interviewing and engagement of offenders. Operational psychology advice should be based upon sound reasoning, evidenced based conclusion, and within the bounds of practitioner competence. Psychologists should seek to educate investigators on probabilities, likelihoods and error rates, and endeavour to indicate the strength of conclusions and statements provided within a report., Originality/value: The review aims to provide the necessary and relevant impetus for integrating operational, or forensic psychology expertise into cold case investigations. The application of psychological science to police investigations has been subject to numerous academic commentaries, however, there is a dearth of involvement from practitioners practicing in the field., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.)