Behind the Crime Scene

Portfolio Building for Forensic Professionals: Casework and Documentation Samples

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 3 2026

A forensic portfolio showcases real casework and documentation to prove your skills beyond certifications. Learn what samples to include, how to document them properly, and how to tailor your portfolio for different forensic roles.

Trace Evidence Preservation in Wet or Burned Scenes

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 3 2026

Proper trace evidence preservation in wet or burned scenes is critical to solving crimes. Moisture and fire degrade DNA, fibers, and soil samples-only strict protocols can save them. Learn how to collect, dry, and package evidence before it's lost forever.

Networking for Forensic Scientists: Top Associations and Events to Join in 2026

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 3 2026

Discover the top forensic science associations and key events in 2026 that help forensic professionals build connections, stay current with standards, and advance their careers through networking and collaboration.

Offender Motivation: Power, Control, and Gratification in Criminal Behavior

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 2 2026

Offender motivation isn't one-size-fits-all. Power, control, and gratification drive different criminals in different ways - and understanding these distinctions is key to criminal profiling and effective investigations.

Common Drugs Detected in Toxicology Screens: What Tests Reveal and Why It Matters

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 2 2026

Toxicology screens detect common drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opioids, and benzodiazepines in urine tests. Learn what's tested, how long drugs stay detectable, and why these screens matter for safety and legal compliance.

Laser Microdissection: How Scientists Isolate Microscopic Particles for Trace Evidence Analysis

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 2 2026

Laser microdissection lets forensic scientists isolate single cells from trace evidence with micrometer precision, enabling clean DNA, RNA, and protein analysis. Used in criminal cases worldwide, it turns invisible clues into court-admissible evidence.

Brain Removal: Techniques and Safety in Forensic Pathology

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 1 2026

The occipital hinge technique in forensic pathology preserves critical brain structures during removal, improving accuracy in determining cause of death and ensuring reliable evidence for legal proceedings.

Secondary Mechanisms: Re-contact Spatter Recognition in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 1 2026

Re-contact spatter is a subtle but critical bloodstain pattern in forensic investigations. Unlike primary spatter, it results from secondary contact and can reveal hidden movements at a crime scene. Understanding its signs helps distinguish between accident, self-defense, and staged crime scenes.

Direct PCR Methods: Streamlining Forensic DNA Processing

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Mar 1 2026

Direct PCR methods eliminate DNA extraction steps, enabling faster, more efficient forensic DNA profiling - especially for trace evidence. Research shows it outperforms traditional methods on surfaces like metal, plastic, and wood, but regulatory barriers still limit its use.

Alternate Light Sources: Finding Fingerprints with ALS in Forensic Investigations

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Feb 28 2026

Alternate Light Sources (ALS) reveal invisible fingerprints and trace evidence using specific wavelengths of light. Used in forensics, ALS finds prints on plastic, metal, and porous surfaces where powder fails - transforming how crime scenes are processed.

Silencer Forensics: How Baffles and Wipe Evidence Reveal Suppressed Firearm Use

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Feb 28 2026

Silencer forensics reveals how suppressors alter gunshot residue patterns, leaving behind unique traces like iron swarf and compressed lead distributions. Modern tools like XRF are helping investigators detect suppressed firearms with new accuracy.

Benzodiazepine Detection: How Long-Acting and Short-Acting Types Affect Drug Testing Results

By : Ian Brophy
Date : Feb 28 2026

Benzodiazepine detection varies widely between long-acting and short-acting drugs. Understanding half-lives, metabolites, and testing methods is critical for accurate forensic and clinical results.