David SpraggsFrom David SpraggsPatrolDNA Evidence: What Patrol Officers Need to KnowThe advent of DNA analysis has revolutionized criminal investigations, and new techniques continue to improve the ways in which it can be used.February 2, 2011WeaponsFirearms ForensicsI realized that even without the murder weapon, the prosecution still had an immense amount of significant ballistic physical evidence linking Abeyta to the murder. And thanks to good forensic work and the invaluable NIBIN database that tracks images of ballistics evidence, it was enough to convict him.February 10, 2010TechnologyTurn Their Gadgets Against Them"I love Facebook!" came the shout from the cubicle next to mine. One of my fellow detectives here at the Boulder (Colo.) Police Department—through a simple Internet search—had just discovered the identity of a sex assault suspect.January 31, 2009TechnologyJust a Touch: Using Touch DNA EvidenceAmazing. This unknown suspect left behind enough DNA from just briefly touching the sides of the victim's underwear to provide a statistically significant partial DNA profile.November 30, 2008PatrolWhy I Joined the Bomb SquadBy the time you read this article, I should have completed the six-week basic course at the FBI/Army Hazardous Devices School in Huntsville, Ala. Which means I will be well on my way to becoming a certified bomb technician, a career aspiration that many people—including fellow cops—consider crazy.August 31, 2008TechnologyCrime-Fighting Laser BeamsThe result is an incredibly high-contrast image that clearly shows the fluorescing evidence, not the background. I've never experienced anything like it.January 31, 2008PatrolHow to Photograph InjuriesI've taught forensic photography to police officers for more than 10 years, and I always start my presentations with the notion that good photographs start even before the camera is out of the bag. You have to have the proper mindset because images documenting injuries are some of the most important photos we take.August 31, 2007PatrolHow To Lift FingerprintsAs the responding patrol officer it’s your job to properly process the crime scene, including locating, printing, collecting, and documenting all fingerprint evidence on scene — not necessarily an easy task.January 31, 2007TechnologyDigital Cameras for CopsJust five years ago my department purchased a 6-megapixel digital SLR camera that cost more than $5,000, as well as several 3.3-megapixel point-and-shoot digital cameras that cost more than $1,000 each. Today, similar products would cost a fraction of what we spent.November 30, 2006PatrolImage Security GuardLexar’s new LockTight security system helps preserve the chain of evidence for digital photography.December 31, 2005Page 1 of 2Next Page
