FORENSICS AND FOUR DIAMONDS

FORENSICS AND FOUR DIAMONDS

I found this archive from the Penn State University forensics website. The Forensic Science club is raising money for the 2012 THON. This is another important facet of why Penn State is a “perfect” fit for me. At my high school, I am co-chairman for a club called U.N.I.T.E. This is a service club the creates our school’s mini-THON. Throughout the years, mini-THON and the Four Diamonds Fund has played a big role outside my academic life. This year, my fellow members and I have canned, set up informational booths, raised money, and collaborated on unique ideas so that we can have a bigger and better mini-THON.
I really enjoy seeing these positive aspects about my future college!

(Click on the title, for URL)

Penn State: Eberly College of Science

As part of my forensics project, I concentrated on picking a school best fit for my academic desires. Penn State’s Eberly College of Science fit the bill quite nicely!
Here’s a concise overview of what the college program is all about:

Vision and Mission Statement

Main Content

Vision Statement

The Forensic Science Program at Penn State University will be the nation’s finest in the
integration of teaching, research and service.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Forensic Science Program at Penn State is to provide our students with a rich educational experience through a hands-on, practical approach to forensic science education that will enable those students to reach the highest levels of intellectual achievement and personal growth.  The Program will provide open, welcoming, creative and adaptable teaching and research environments for its students, staff and faculty.   The Program outcomes will have a positive impact on the global forensic science and law enforcement communities, and on society as a whole.

Overarching Goals

• Be an international leader in forensic science education.
• Produce graduates that become future leaders in forensic science.
• Enhance academic excellence through a balanced emphasis on teaching, research and service.
• Enhance the public’s awareness of science through forensic science education.

Forensic Science Program Values

Rigor – The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will create a rigorous and
challenging academic environment.

Dedication – The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will be dedicated to the
highest level of excellence and integrity.

Commitment – The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will be committed to
providing our customers (e.g., students and collaborators) with the highest level of service.

Respect – The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will respect and support one
another and their customers.

Ethical - The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will perform their duties in an
ethical manner at all times.

Accessibility – The faculty and staff of the forensic science program will be highly accessible to our customers and colleagues.
http://forensics.psu.edu/program/vision-and-mission-statement

STATE-OF-THE-ART!

Lancaster County coroner shows off state-of-art morgue

I am hoping to visit this before the grand opening, or shortly after; but I do not think they allow public tours?

Joseph Bell

   




Joseph Bell, a pioneer of forensic pathology known today for creating mastery techniques of the late 19th-early 20th century, a time where forensic pathology was not even consider of great value in solving crimes.

Virtual Autopsy Video

This week on Forensic Science blog…

FORENSIC PATHOLOGY!
This is a 3-Dimensional Virtual Autopsy Table.

Tox Video

                            This is a good summation of what forensic toxicology is all about. ENJOY!

Cause of Death: A Look into Forensic Pathology

 —Hey look, it’s Dr. G!


INTRO TO FORENSIC PATHOLOGY:

A forensic pathologist, otherwise known as a medical examiner, examines the bodies of people who have died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently. In the forensic science community, medical examinations are important because the human body is the largest and best piece of criminal evidence to analyze. Although some criminally involved deaths such as strangulation, gun shot, and blunt trauma may be visible to the naked eye, forensic pathologists look inside the body to fully analyze a death. Through the process of forensic autopsies, medical examiners are able to analyze organs, bones, and look at samples of tissue to identify cellular components that may have been affected by certain deaths.
So basically, crime labs always look to the medical examiners or forensic pathologists for initial clues into a case. What is so “above and beyond” about this area of forensics, is its criteria that has to be met when pursuing this type of career… A whopping 13 years of education after high school!

ARTICLE DISCUSSION:

In an article on PBS, Front Line: Death Investigation in America, I came across an article that gave an overview of what this type of career is like.
I found an interesting section that struck my attention:
“With roughly 500,000 deaths per year referred to a coroner or medical examiner for preliminary investigation, the National Association of Medical Examiners says twice that number of forensic pathologists is needed to provide competent service and ensure that pathologists are not performing more than the 250 to 350 autopsies per year its guidelines recommend.”

So what does this mean?
Well, it seems to me that there are not enough “forensic” pathologists in America for the number of autopsies that need performed. However, based off of the article, clinical pathologists (who work with living patients, in hospital settings) have much different work conditions. Although the academic requirements are the same (a minimum of 13 years of education and training after high school), medical examiners make between $150,000 - 180,000, which is only a percentage of what experienced clinical pathologists earn per year. Also,  Dr. Vincent DiMaio says that, “The salaries are not competitive and the facilities are often terrible when you compare them to working in a hospital setting.”
I thought this article was interesting because it altered my perception of forensic pathology. I still think being a medical examiner would be unique and quite a successful career, but I am astonished at the amount of people in America who do not feel the same way, or who don’t want to get involved in the field.
What DiMaio is saying is that TV shows and books are giving Americans false impressions about forensic pathology. He also believes that in medical school’s, young adults are not getting to experience the possible field of forensics through being a medical examiner, as they are in other medical specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and pediatrics (all working with living patients…which I think is the deal breaker for most people pursing careers in medicine and science). 
So, this week I wanted to end on a positive note about forensic pathology, even though my writing says otherwise. I think this job can be a little stressful and somewhat morbid, but, I believe it is one of the biggest advantages forensic scientists have into solving crimes, and determining CAUSE OF DEATH!

Forensic Toxicology

As part of my forensic science project, the next portion of my blog is entitled Forensic Toxicology. As some may know, forensic science is not just one field within the criminal justice community. It takes an entire team of biologists, chemists and even medical professionals to have a successful outcome.
So here it goes…
WHAT DOES A TOXICOLOGIST DO?
Forensic toxicologists perform tests on bodily samples and fluids to identify various drugs and chemicals present in the body, such as alcohol, illegal, prescription drugs, metals, and even gases.
Chemistry is a major component behind toxicology practices.
Some techniques include:
Liquid Chromatography

and Mass Spectrometry…

A lot of intricate detail goes into the work of forensic toxicology. Analyzing chemicals and foreign substances in the body may be a lengthy process, but I tell you about some cases where this field of forensics really paid off.


CRIMINAL CASES: HOW FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY PLAYS ITS PART

As part of my weekly research, I stumbled across an article written by Dr. Katherine Ramsland (The following text summarizes key points). 
Why is toxicology important?

• Determining accidental deaths
• Identifying substance abuse
• Suspecting foul play or murder

DETERMINING A CONCLUSION BASED ON TOXICOLOGY EVIDENCE:
Suicidal v. Accidental:
This title seems as if solving a deathly crime would be impossible, but Dr. Ramsland tells of how to differentiate between suicide and accident.
Excerpt from her article:
[A popular poison for suicide is carbon monoxide from a car engine, although drug overdoses or mixed doses of domestic medications are also widely used. Accidental deaths can result from overdoses of drugs such as opium, hyoscine, morphine and heroin. Examples of poisons that have been commonly used for murder are aconitine, atropine, strychnine, thallium, antimony, arsenic and cyanide.]
THE HISTORY OF CRIMINAL CASES:
The following are just some criminal cases of our history relating toxicology to cause of death:
Donald Harvey “Angel of Death” Born 1952… An American serial killers who claims to killing 87 people. As for his hospitalized victims, his favorite killing methods included cyanide, arsenic, and other toxic poisons which he administered through food, IV, and injection. He was active in the medical community, which made his killings almost undetectable.



Let’s look back hundreds of years ago to show how scientists could pick up on chemical components of foul play crimes:
Mary Ann Cotton 1832-1873… She was an English woman who was convicted of murdering her children and was believed to have murdered up to 21 other people by means of arsenic poisoning.

CONCLUSION OF THIS WEEK’S BLOG:

Although I have learned a lot about the chemistry techniques and terminology, I think it’s really interesting that even 100 years ago, scientists were able to test for poisons in the body of a victim and successfully charge the criminals. With today’s technology, as shown in the above segments, there is a whole world of tangibility for chemists and forensic scientists alike. I would say that forensic toxicology is one small but highly influential part of the forensic science field.

The Complexities Behind DNA Profiling

DNA profiling helps solve the world’s most dangerous and somewhat undetectable crimes. Even the smallest of clues left at crime scenes can give forensic scientists the upper hand in a criminal investigation. With today’s technology, the smallest of human tissues, containing few cells, can be multiplied within hours, eventually giving a full DNA profile of an individual.

  

                    

An article published in October 2004 by News Report, shared that DNA profiling helped solve a 22- year old murder case. 

[http://www.govtech.com/public-safety/DNA-Profiling-Helps-Solve-22-year-old-Murder.html] 

How can DNA still be detected in a study from so long ago?

The Answer?

The power of advanced technology…

The new testing, even from eight years ago, yielded the evidence of the 1983 case and a mitochondrial DNA profile obtained from a blood sample of the suspect in the murder.

The Result?

Arbie Dean Williams, now 61 years old, was formally charged on Aug. 18, 2004, with the murder of Linda Strait.

AKA: Justice was served.

This case is a prime example of the great complexity of DNA and the advanced technology that continues to grow in ways of learning more and more about a person’s genetic identity. 

SO… How does DNA profiling work?

Well, I have learned that it is a big dark, curious realm that seems to never end. But… to the basics… Here it goes!

The DNA is first extracted from its biological source (from the piece of evidence.) In order to use the DNA it must be isolated from its cells. Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine, scientists are able to extract the needed amount of DNA from its biological source. The PCR machine is able to make millions of copies of a sequence of DNA to create a genetic profile.

Once the DNA is isolated, it is used into a gel electrophoresis test which actually breaks up DNA fragments with the hope of detecting an individual’s match for the DNA.

                            

DNA profiling is such a broad and expanding sub field within forensic science. It’s pretty neat in that it provides the justification in most criminal cases.

Intro to DNA Profiling

  My topic for the week is DNA profiling. As part of my high school Advanced Seminar project, I have spent a week researching and learning about this interesting and crime-solving topics… stay tuned for more info on the matter.