Behind the Crime Scene

AFIS Technology Explained: How Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems Work

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 23 2026

Discover how Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) transform forensic investigations. Learn about the technology, accuracy rates, historical milestones, and privacy concerns surrounding modern biometric matching.

Expert Testimony: Presenting Digital Evidence in Court (2026 Guide)

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 23 2026

Learn how to present digital evidence in court effectively. Covers FRE 702, Daubert standards, chain of custody, and expert testimony tips for 2026.

Rigor Mortis: Assessment and Significance in Forensic Pathology

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 23 2026

Rigor mortis is not a precise clock for estimating time of death. Learn how forensic pathologists actually assess postmortem stiffness, why temperature matters, and how to avoid common errors in PMI estimation.

How to Avoid DNA Transfer During Evidence Handling: A Guide for Investigators

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 22 2026

Learn how to prevent DNA contamination during evidence handling. This guide covers transfer mechanisms, proper PPE use, packaging strategies, and fingerprint-DNA workflow integration to preserve latent biological traces.

Objective Writing in Forensic Reports: How to Eliminate Bias

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 22 2026

Learn how to write objective forensic reports by eliminating bias through neutral language, precise data, and structured workflows. Includes practical examples and a bias-check checklist.

Gunshot Wound Analysis: Forensic Pathology Guide to Ballistics and Injury Patterns

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 22 2026

Explore the science of gunshot wound analysis, covering terminal ballistics, entry vs. exit wound identification, range estimation, and forensic imaging techniques used in pathology.

Judicial Notice in Forensics: When Courts Accept Science Without Proof

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 21 2026

Explore how courts use judicial notice to accept forensic facts without proof, comparing Rule 201 with Daubert and Frye standards, and identifying which techniques qualify.

Securing a Homicide Scene: Perimeter and Access Control Guide

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 21 2026

Learn how to secure a homicide scene effectively using multi-level perimeters and strict access control. This guide covers establishing barriers, managing entry logs, and preventing evidence contamination to ensure a defensible investigation.

Property Restoration Guide: How to Return Spaces to Safe Condition After Damage

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 21 2026

Learn how property restoration returns spaces to safe conditions after water, fire, or biohazard damage. Discover IICRC standards, emergency steps, and expert tips for recovery.

Shedding Propensity: Individual Variation in Touch DNA

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 20 2026

Explore shedding propensity in touch DNA, revealing why some individuals leave abundant genetic traces while others leave none. Learn how behavior, biology, and environment influence forensic outcomes.

Drug Testing Errors: How to Spot False Positives and Prevent Contamination

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 20 2026

Discover how false positives and contamination occur in drug tests. Learn which medications, foods, and lab errors cause inaccurate results, and how confirmatory testing protects you.

Forensic Psychology and Behavioral Analysis: The Real Career Path

By : Ian Brophy
Date : May 20 2026

Explore the real career path in forensic psychology and behavioral analysis. We debunk profiling myths, outline education requirements, and reveal actual job roles like risk assessment and correctional counseling.