Behind the Crime Scene
Shotgun Evidence: How Wads, Pellets, and Gauge Reveal the Firearm Used
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 19 2026
Forensic experts use shotgun wads and pellets to determine gauge, shot size, and ammunition type. Learn how wad measurements, pellet weight, and new imaging tech like DECT help solve crimes involving shotguns.
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 19 2026
IAI CSI certifications are the gold standard for crime scene professionals. Learn the three certification levels, eligibility rules, training requirements, and why this credential matters more than a degree in many forensic jobs.
Contact, Intermediate, and Distant Gunshot Wounds: Forensic Indicators Explained
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 19 2026
Forensic experts use distinct wound patterns to determine if a gunshot was fired at contact, intermediate, or distant range. Each distance leaves unique signs - from muzzle imprints to stippling - that help solve crimes.
Training Exercises for Photographic Documentation: Real-World Scenarios
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 18 2026
Photographic documentation training teaches how to capture meaningful, accurate images for forensic, educational, and tactical contexts. Learn practical exercises like the 100 Paces method, five-minute action shots, and the three-point art documentation system.
Registry Analysis: Windows System Information for Digital Forensics
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 18 2026
Windows Registry analysis is a cornerstone of digital forensics, revealing user activity, installed software, network connections, and malicious persistence. Learn how to extract and interpret key registry hives like SAM, SYSTEM, and NTUSER.DAT for forensic investigations.
Latent Print Cards: Proper Labeling and Storage for Forensic Evidence
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 18 2026
Proper labeling and storage of latent print cards ensures fingerprint evidence remains usable in court. Follow state standards for orientation, packaging, and elimination prints to avoid contamination and rejection by forensic labs.
Foundation for Business Records in Digital Forensics: What Makes Evidence Admissible in Court
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 17 2026
Business records in digital forensics must meet strict legal standards to be admissible in court. Learn the three key requirements under Rule 803(6), why chain of custody is non-negotiable, and how to build a foundation that holds up under legal scrutiny.
Ammunition Lot Linking: Understanding Manufacturing Variability in Firearm Ammunition
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 16 2026
Ammunition lot linking reveals how manufacturing variability affects bullet performance, consistency, and forensic traceability. Learn why two boxes of the same ammo can shoot differently-and how to manage it.
Exhumation and Re-Autopsy: Legal and Technical Considerations
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 16 2026
Exhumation and re-autopsy are rare but critical forensic procedures used to uncover hidden causes of death, correct legal errors, or resolve civil disputes. Learn the legal steps, technical limits, and real-world cases where digging up a body made all the difference.
Chain of Custody Standards: Laboratory Requirements
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 15 2026
Chain of custody standards ensure lab specimens are tracked from collection to disposal with legal defensibility. Learn the key requirements for documentation, security, and accreditation that keep test results valid and trustworthy.
Flashover and Backdraft Indicators: How Firefighters Recognize Deadly Fire Behavior
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 15 2026
Flashover and backdraft are deadly fire behaviors that kill firefighters every year. Learn how to recognize the warning signs-smoke patterns, heat buildup, neutral plane shifts-before it's too late.
Scope Expansion: Adding New Forensic Methods to Modern Labs
- By : Ian Brophy
- Date : Feb 15 2026
Modern forensic labs are expanding beyond traditional methods with portable spectroscopy, AI-driven analysis, and DNA sequencing. Learn how these innovations impact lab accreditation and criminal investigations.
