Behind the Crime Scene

Matrix Effects in Toxicology: Overcoming Ion Suppression in LC-MS/MS

Matrix Effects in Toxicology: Overcoming Ion Suppression in LC-MS/MS

Explore the causes and solutions for ion suppression in LC-MS/MS toxicology. Learn how matrix effects impact accuracy and strategies like SPE, chromatography optimization, and internal standards to overcome them.

Electrical Fire Investigation: How to Identify Electrical Sources

Electrical Fire Investigation: How to Identify Electrical Sources

Learn how to accurately identify electrical sources in fire investigations. This guide covers NFPA 921 standards, arc mapping, distinguishing pre-fire faults from post-fire damage, and key forensic indicators.

Manner of Death: Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, or Homicidal Explained

Manner of Death: Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, or Homicidal Explained

Understand the five manners of death: natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and undetermined. Learn how forensic pathologists distinguish cause from manner, why intent matters, and how these classifications impact public health and legal outcomes.

Ransomware Forensics Guide: Recovering Keys, Analyzing Notes, and Mapping Lateral Movement

Ransomware Forensics Guide: Recovering Keys, Analyzing Notes, and Mapping Lateral Movement

A practical guide to ransomware forensics covering key recovery from memory, analyzing ransom notes for attribution, and mapping lateral movement using Windows logs and EDR tools.

Equipment Calibration: Maintaining Laboratory Standards

Equipment Calibration: Maintaining Laboratory Standards

Learn how to maintain laboratory standards through effective equipment calibration. We break down ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, the difference between NIST traceability and accreditation, and best practices for managing calibration intervals and uncertainty.

Digital Evidence: Proving Authenticity and Maintaining Chain of Custody

Digital Evidence: Proving Authenticity and Maintaining Chain of Custody

Learn how to prove digital evidence authenticity and maintain an unbroken chain of custody using cryptographic hashes, ISO standards, and legal best practices.

Microcrystalline Testing: The Fast, Cheap Way to ID Drugs Under a Microscope

Microcrystalline Testing: The Fast, Cheap Way to ID Drugs Under a Microscope

Discover how microcrystalline testing identifies drugs through unique crystal formations under a microscope. Learn the procedure, advantages, limitations, and its role in modern forensic workflows.

Photographic Log Maintenance: Required Documentation for Forensic Evidence

Photographic Log Maintenance: Required Documentation for Forensic Evidence

Master photographic log maintenance with essential documentation tips for forensic evidence. Learn required fields, digital vs paper benefits, and how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to evidence exclusion.

Photo Enhancement in Forensics: Legal Limits and Admissibility Rules

Photo Enhancement in Forensics: Legal Limits and Admissibility Rules

Explore the legal limits of forensic photo enhancement. Learn how to distinguish between admissible enhancement and illegal alteration, following ASTM E2825 standards and Daubert requirements for court evidence.

Witness Interviews in Fire Investigations: How to Get Accurate Statements from People at the Scene

Witness Interviews in Fire Investigations: How to Get Accurate Statements from People at the Scene

Learn how to conduct effective witness interviews during fire and arson investigations. Discover best practices for gathering accurate statements, avoiding common pitfalls, and documenting crucial scene details.

Shooting Scene Documentation: Cartridge and Bullet Mapping Guide

Shooting Scene Documentation: Cartridge and Bullet Mapping Guide

A comprehensive guide to shooting scene documentation, covering cartridge mapping, bullet trajectory reconstruction, and forensic standards based on NIST OSAC protocols.

Crime Scene Sketching: Mastering Scaled Diagrams and Orientation Methods

Crime Scene Sketching: Mastering Scaled Diagrams and Orientation Methods

Master crime scene sketching with this guide to scaled diagrams and orientation methods. Learn when to use triangulation, baseline, and polar coordinates for accurate forensic documentation.