On March 8, 1987, fire fighters were called to the Mayfair Gardens Elderly Housing Complex, Manchester, Connecticut. They found Mrs. Bernice Martin, 88 years old, barely breathing, and badly beaten. She died later that evening in the hospital. To many the case is closed. Convicted for her murder is her granddaughter’s former husband, Richard A. […]
Forensics
DNA does not solve 1984 murder of Vickie Long
DNA does not solve the 1984 murder of Vickie Long. Todd Campbell, who was arrested for her murder was acquitted. “During the investigation, DNA from the victim’s clothing was entered into CODIS – the Combined DNA Index System, which stores DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crimes and missing people. In October 2009, Campbell had to provide […]
Crime Lab Ruling Under Review
Crime Lab Ruling Under Review, as reported by the New York Times: “Just six months after a narrowly divided Supreme Court announced that crime lab reports may not be used against criminal defendants at trial unless the analysts responsible for them testify, the court heard arguments on Monday about how the new system is working […]
The Lost King of France
The Lost King of France by Deborah Cadbury combines my passion for historical mysteries, cold cases, and forensics. Many have claimed to be the Dauphin as many claimed to be Anastasia Romanov. Both, at last, have been proven dead by DNA. But before we had the DNA test results, we had to contend with more than […]