Defrosting Cold Cases

Today Mr. Zeigler‘s DNA hearing took place in Orange County, Florida, before Judge R. Whitehead. Mr. Zeigler himself was not present. However, he was available by phone if he was needed by the State, otherwise, his presence was waived in person and by phone. Passionate opening statements were made by defense attorney John Houston Pope. [...]

Tags: Actual Innocence, Autopsy, Ballistics, Capital Punishment, Crime Labs, Crime Scene, Cruelty, Death Row, DNA, DNA Database, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, FBI, Finger Printing, Florida, Forensics, Gun Fire, Identification, Investigations Division, Miscarriage of Justice, Partial Finger Printing, Police, Prisons, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, William Thomas Zeigler, Witnesses, Wrongful Convictions

On this day, that Mr. Zeigler has his long awaited DNA hearing, we have to deal with the press and their inadequacies for getting the facts right. This local paper, Channel 13, brings you the ludicrous allegation that Zeigler supporters have claimed and I quote: “that Zeigler’s wife was having an affair with a man [...]

Tags: Actual Innocence, Autopsy, Ballistics, Capital Punishment, Crime Labs, Crime Scene, Cruelty, Death Row, DNA, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, FBI, Finger Printing, Florida, Forensics, Gun Fire, Identification, Investigations Division, Miscarriage of Justice, Partial Finger Printing, Police, Prisons, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, William Thomas Zeigler, Witnesses, Wrongful Convictions

The Grand Jury is making progress in the cold case of Moira Holly Branagan! New material have been sent to the labs to be examined for DNA, and a report is expected at the end of the month! Stay tuned!  

Tags: Autopsy, Bethlehem, Crime Labs, Crime Scene, Cruelty, DNA, Evidence, Finger Printing, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Knife Attack, Moira "Holly" Branagan, Partial Finger Printing, Pennsylvania, Police, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, Witnesses

James Vincent Stanaway, born on Dec 5 in 1966, was killed in Jersey City (NJ) on Feb 3, 1990. Everyone knew his simply as “Jimmy.” This nickname was also his well known signature and is the feature on his headstone. To this day, there are questions in this case that have never been answered. One [...]

Tags: Autopsy, Crime Scene, Evidence, Finger Printing, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Jersey City, Jimmy Stanaway, Knife Attack, New Jersey, Police, Stabbing, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, Witnesses

From the New Hampshire Sentinel: “The [Hina Family] case — originally slated for trial in August — has been delayed twice and will remain on hold indefinitely while the N.H. Supreme Court considers whether to hear an appeal from the N.H. Attorney General’s Office of a pre-trial ruling by Judge Marguerite L. Wageling, who is [...]

Tags: Arson Detection, Autopsy, Crime Scene, David McLeod, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Hina Family Murders, Investigations Division, New Hampshire, Police, Unsolved Homicide, Victim

Exciting news in the Mercury: “The Texas Forensic Science Commission on Friday approved 17 recommendations for improving arson inquiries. The panel also is suggesting a review of murder convictions involving fires, starting with prisoners on death row.” Of course, reading about forensic arson detection brings to mind the cases of Daniel Dougherty(PA), David McLeod(NH) and [...]

Tags: Actual Innocence, Arson Detection, Autopsy, Cameron Todd Willingham, Capital Punishment, Crime Labs, Crime Scene, Cruelty, DNA, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, Forensic arson detection, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Miscarriage of Justice, Police, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Texas, Victim, Witnesses, Wrongful Convictions

Darren Bruce is a married father of three and has been a police officer for seventeen years. “I am a Detective Sergeant who has taken on various roles and am soon to undertake a change to run a Serious Sexual Offences Investigation Team. Over the years I have worked on Child Abuse Investigation Units and Major Investigation [...]

Tags: Autopsy, Crime Scene, Cruelty, DNA, Evidence, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Missing Person, Peter Tobin, Police, UK, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, Witnesses

The New Zealand Herald brings the fantastic news that  Senior Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock, who is reviewing the Crewe murders, has urged anyone with information about their deaths to speak out and help find answers for their only child Rochelle Crewe. I quote: “I am extremely keen to hear from anyone who may have information concerning [...]

Tags: Actual Innocence, arthur allen thomas, Autopsy, Ballistics, Crime Scene, Cruelty, DNA, DNA Database, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Faulty Evidence, Finger Printing, Forensics, Gun Fire, Identification, Investigations Division, Jeanette and Harvey Crewe, Miscarriage of Justice, New Zealand, Partial Finger Printing, Police, Prisons, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Unsolved Homicide, Victim, Witnesses, Wrongful Convictions

Police in Adelaide, South Australia, have announced that the 1983 case of Louise Bell has been re-opened. Police have re-submitted evidence for DNA testing to see whether it can be linked to a man they regarded a suspect a long time ago. This man has been interviewed and is currently incarcerated.  The case of the [...]

Tags: Australia, Crime Scene, DNA, DNA Database, Evidence, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Missing Person, Police, Victim, Witnesses

On Oct. 2, 1979, the remains of a child were found in a shallow grave on the side of Glendora Mountain Road, San Dimas, California. This child, a boy, was very young. There are several age ranges given. One states he was between 3-8 years old and another places him between 4-6 years old.  According [...]

Tags: Autopsy, California, Crime Scene, Evidence, Forensics, Identification, Investigations Division, Missing Person, Police, Unsolved Homicide, Victim