• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About DCC and the writer
  • Guest Writers
  • Testimonials
  • Archives 2009 – present
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact

Defrosting Cold Cases

Est. 2009

  • Cold Case Database: Index and Summaries
    • Index
      • Cases Index A-G
      • Cases Index H-N
      • Cases Index O-Z
    • Summaries
      • Case Summaries A-G
      • Case Summaries H-N
      • Case Summaries O-Z
  • Two Research Methods
  • How to search for a case
  • Case of the Month (2014 – 2024)
  • Book Reviews
You are here: Home / Archives for Forensics

Forensics

DNA techniques

May 4, 2011 By Alice

Sue Carney

Please welcome back guest blogger Sue Carney. Sue is my DNA expert. In my previous posts and in Cold Case Live Chats, a few other DNA techniques have been mentioned. It seems appropriate to provide a little detail on these techniques: How they work and when best to use them. Mitochondrial DNA Cells contain a […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics, Guest Writers Tagged With: Crime Labs, DNA, DNA Database, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Identification

Follow-up #V Karen Caughlin

May 4, 2011 By Alice

Karen Caughlin

We still need to find out in what condition Karen Caughlin’s clothes were found and whether the paint chips were on the back or the front of her bomber jacket. We did find that there was blood and a tire impression on Karen’s coat. We do not know as of yet whether the collected DNA […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics, Unsolved Tagged With: Autopsy, Canada, DNA, Evidence, Forensics, Karen Caughlin, Michigan, Partial Finger Printing, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, Witnesses

Update 1989 Hina Murders

May 4, 2011 By Alice

Update Hina Murders: A New Hampshire fire investigator says he doesn’t believe a lit cigarette started the fire that killed a Keene family of four in an adjacent apartment in 1989. Lawyers for 54-year-old David McLeod are in court challenging evidence prosecutors say shows that McLeod set the fire that killed a newlywed couple, their 4-month-old daughter […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics, Unsolved Tagged With: Arson Detection, Autopsy, Cameron Todd Willingham, Forensics, Hina Family, New Hampshire

Sum it up! #16+17

May 2, 2011 By Alice

Sum it Up!

A sober Sum it Up. Frank Bender, forensic artist/sculptor, is battling lung cancer. He spent a lifetime helping authorities solving crimes by contouring the faces of murder victims and the unidentified. Frank Bender primarily works in clay and then casts his pieces into plaster and paints them, but he has also aged fugitives using pastels. […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: DNA, Evidence, Forensics, Sum it Up!

A message from the Caughlin Family

April 30, 2011 By Alice

Karen Caughlin

The Caughlin family has been very cooperative and courageously opened up the lines of communication with me. I have alerted them to every post and and every comment and they have read everything. This message was sent to me and is for all who work on the case, for all DCC readers, and especially for […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Unsolved Tagged With: Autopsy, Canada, Crime Scene, DNA, Evidence, Finger Printing, Forensics, Karen Caughlin, Michigan, Partial Finger Printing, Unsolved Homicide

Laura Henderson-Ibach: Mac’s van

April 27, 2011 By Alice

leaning angel

One of the issues in the Laura Henderson-Ibach case has been Mac’s van. Did a live or death struggle take place here or not? As you have been able to read in our post, the van doubled as a temporary home to Jim Kerwin. Please take a look at these pictures. They were taken before […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Guest Writers, Missing Persons Tagged With: Alaska, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Laura Henderson-Ibach, Missing Person, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Wrongful Convictions

Hal’s answers 3

April 27, 2011 By Alice

Hal Brown

WARNING: this post contains graphic photography! ________________________________________ Bluedog89 asked about lifting fingerprints from an eye and also can an eye capture an image at the time of death. Wow… interesting questions! Frankly, I am no fingerprint expert.  Richard Case or Joe Giacalone could speak with far greater authority on this topic, then myself. I am […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Autopsy, Finger Printing, Forensics, Hal Brown, post-mortem

Hal’s answers 2

April 27, 2011 By Alice

Hal Brown

Guest blogger Hal Brown continues answering your questions. Hello Miriam, You mentioned the difficulty with regard to post-mortem changes in cadavers retrieved from aquatic environments; I most certainly agree with you!  Decedents located in aquatic environments present multiple challenges. Marine scavengers will change the presentation of any dead organic matter rather quickly, as they consider […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Autopsy, Forensics, Hal Brown, post-mortem

Follow-up #IV Karen Caughlin

April 26, 2011 By Alice

Karen Caughlin

A compilation:  A lot of information has come in either by email or comments that have not been posted for good reasons. However, all those bits and pieces of information fill in some of the blanks we have in the posts and clarify other issues. I have made a compilation below: Re the 1970/71 Chrysler, […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Autopsy, Canada, Crime Scene, DNA, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Karen Caughlin, Sarnia, Unsolved Homicide

Guest post: Laura Henderson-Ibach: The timeline does not work

April 20, 2011 By Alice

Kodiak, Alaska

Guest post: Laura Henderson-Ibach: The timeline does not work and police do not care. Part 4 by Tiah. Two different private investigators interviewed everyone who was connected in any way to this case. Much of what they found I will discuss here. If I use the phrase “we know” it is because the information was […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics, Guest Writers, Miscarriages of Justice Tagged With: Actual Innocence, DNA, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, Forensics, Laura Henderson-Ibach, Missing Person, Police, Prisons, Prosecutorial Misconduct

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Dina Fort

Author Notes

Since 2009, I write about unsolved cases that need renewed media attention. I only do research and leave active investigations to the authorities.

My posts cover homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to unsolved cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme, tone, and research. It is my prerogative to not review a book. Please check the FAQ page for more.

My databases are free to the public. Cases are sorted by the victim’s last name.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the About page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you cannot find the answers there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

Top Posts & Pages

  • Gregory McRoberts: hit-and-run victim
  • In memory: Azaria Chantel Loren Chamberlain
  • Riley Fox case solved
  • Frog Boys: finally an update
  • Who killed Beth Ann Brown Patterson?

Categories

Subscribe to DCC by email

Enter your email address to get new posts notifications in your inbox

Copyright

If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Protected by Copyscape

Copyright © 2026 ·News Pro · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress