Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified four more members of Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition using DNA samples extracted from skeletal remains. The new discoveries bring the total number of identified sailors to six, providing previously unavailable details about the circumstances and locations of their deaths.
SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026
A new study reveals Africa's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult, dated around 9,500 years ago. The discovery suggests that ancient African hunter-gatherer communities had complex ritual practices involving posthumous removal and reburial of body parts.
SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 1, 2026
A new study has uncovered hidden stories of pollution, gender, and life in industrializing Britain by analyzing bone chemistry and isotopic analysis of skeletal remains from two English towns. The findings reveal that exposure to toxic elements varied significantly across communities, sexes, and social identities.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 10, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers successfully identified the skeletal remains of Duke Béla, a member of the Árpád and Rurik dynasties, using a combination of genetic and dental analyses. The study reveals that Béla was attacked by multiple individuals, consuming a diet rich in animal protein.
SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalForensic Science International Genetics·DateNov 6, 2025
A new study found that sniffer dogs' performance in real-world scenarios is highly variable and dependent on factors like region, day, and explosive type. The research suggests that limited access to explosive training materials is a primary challenge for teams, highlighting the need for wider access to improve detection performance
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2025
A groundbreaking study has uncovered the first physical evidence of human-animal gladiatorial combat in the Roman period. Researchers found distinct lesions on a skeleton's pelvis, identified as bite marks from a large feline species, confirming the brutal nature of these spectacles.
SourceMaynooth University·JournalPLOS One·TypeCase study·DateApr 23, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
MSU is developing a computer program called MOSAIC to create holistic biological profiles from skeletal remains, making the investigative process clearer and more efficient. The project aims to leverage relationships between various structures to provide estimates without biasing results by focusing on individual components.
This special issue focuses on critical identification cases, emphasizing collaborative approaches and utilizing cutting-edge technologies. Research articles explore methods for re-associating fragmented remains, applying radiocarbon dating in forensic case work.
SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalForensic Sciences Research·DateNov 7, 2024
Researchers from UNH's Forensic Anthropology Lab worked with town officials to investigate and document the remains, which showed signs of hardship and health issues. The reburial ceremony marked a rare opportunity for closure and respect for the individuals buried in hasty unmarked graves.
SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateOct 10, 2024
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study has compiled a global archive of preserved human brains, challenging the notion that brain preservation is extremely rare. The archive reveals that nervous tissues persist in much greater abundances than traditionally thought, with many brains up to 12,000 years old and found in diverse environments.
SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateMar 19, 2024
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new technique to extract usable DNA from bones of fire victims, allowing identification through dental records or DNA testing. The method uses two different techniques to extract DNA, one suitable for temperatures below 350 degrees and the other for hotter fires.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences·DateFeb 29, 2024
Bitemark analysis, commonly used in court trials, lacks scientific backing due to the uniqueness of human teeth on skin. A study of 26 people wrongfully convicted based on this evidence reveals a high rate of distortion, rendering it unreliable for identification purposes.
SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the California Dental Association·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 23, 2023
A new forensic science study investigates the decay of infant and juvenile bones, providing insights into decomposition rates and bone degradation. The research helps forensic scientists estimate the time elapsed since remains were at a location and identify suitable bones for DNA sampling.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalBiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023
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Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
This special issue explores the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil through various perspectives, including personal identification initiatives, forensic data management, and case reports. The articles shed light on best practices for procedures related to evidence chain of custody in forensic anthropology in Brazil.
SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalForensic Sciences Research·DateFeb 14, 2023
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that the unique shape of the frontal sinuses, used in forensic anthropology to identify human remains, is influenced by both ancestry and sex. The research analyzed over 300 CT images, revealing that when considering both factors together, they significantly affect sinus dimensions
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalBiology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 29, 2022
The article highlights the importance of addressing systemic racism in forensic sciences by engaging with descendant communities and institutions. Forensic researchers advocate for repatriation and interment of remains collected without consent, emphasizing the need for uncomfortable conversations and criticism on issues related to race.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 4, 2022
A new study highlights the need to replace 'ancestry' in forensics with a more accurate approach, focusing on population affinity. Researchers found inconsistent use of terms related to ancestry and race within the field, leading to confusion and misuse.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalBiology·DateJul 14, 2021
Forensic archaeologists from Cranfield University are recovering the bodies of victims executed by the Franco regime during the Spanish Civil War. The team, working with partners and social anthropologists, aims to exhume and identify the remains of 26 people buried in a civil cemetery between 1939-1940.
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
A new study reveals nearly 30% of forensic anthropologists have worked on cases involving transgender individuals, but most are unfamiliar with gender-affirming surgeries. The research highlights the need for a bio-cultural and queer theoretical perspective in forensic sex estimation to recognize signs of gender-affirming procedures.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalForensic Anthropology·DateMar 22, 2021
A new paper argues that ancestry estimation, used in forensic anthropology, is rooted in racist 'race science' and perpetuates white supremacy. The practice relies on flawed methods that have been debunked for decades.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateFeb 24, 2021
A study found that forensic anthropology is a relatively homogenous discipline, lacking diversity in terms of people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The field struggles to keep up with issues relevant to society due to its lack of diversity.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalForensic Anthropology·DateOct 23, 2020
Erin Kimmerle's research uncovered the remains of dozens of boys buried in unmarked graves, shedding light on decades of abuse and revealing an alarming history of injustices. Her work has brought closure to victims' families and sparked a global conversation about wrongdoing.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 3, 2020
Skull shape differences were found among Asian and Asian-derived groups, enabling more nuanced ancestry estimations in forensic casework. The study provides population-specific methods for estimating biological profiles, aiding victim identification in mass disasters.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences·DateNov 7, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Researchers studying opioid addiction effects on bones are exploring how it impacts microscopic bone structures used to estimate age-at-death. Opioids upset the balance of bone remodeling towards more destruction and less formation of bone, leading to severely compromised age-at-death estimates.
A researcher re-examined seven bone measurements from 1940 and found they were more similar to Amelia Earhart than 99% of individuals in a large reference sample. The study concluded that the bones belonged to Earhart, citing evidence including her humerus and radius lengths.
SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalForensic Anthropology·DateMar 7, 2018
Researchers analyzed shark scavenging behavior to identify marks on human bones, distinguishing them from terrestrial carnivore marks. The study found that shark teeth leave striations, while terrestrial carnivores leave puncture-like marks, providing valuable clues for forensic anthropologists.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences·DateJul 19, 2017
Researchers at the University of Tennessee found that US skulls have increased in size by 200 cubic centimeters since the mid-1800s, with average height from base to top increasing by eight millimeters
Researchers found significant variation in craniofacial characteristics, with Lisbon females exhibiting broader noses and eyes spaced further apart than Coimbra females. The difference suggests genetic variations rather than dietary or nutritional influences.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAnthropologie·DateApr 12, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
The Applied Forensic Sciences Department at Mercyhurst College conducted a mock fire event in Montgomery County, Pa., to simulate fatal fire scenes and test new methodologies for recovering and analyzing burned human remains. The team aims to strengthen protocols for assessing trauma in forensic cases.
A global database is necessary to guarantee accurate identification of victims in mass disasters, according to a new study. Radiological techniques are crucial in this process, providing documentation and useful information on skeletal trauma and tooth location.
SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalBritish Journal of Radiology·DateMar 18, 2010
The LSU FACES Lab is building a comprehensive database of Louisiana's missing and unidentified persons. The project will utilize DNA information, dental structure, and other characteristics to identify individuals. The database will be searchable and will initially be accessible only to law enforcement agencies.
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The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honors forensic anthropologist Fredy Peccerelli for his work with the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, investigating mass human rights abuses and exhuming thousands of victims' remains. Despite facing death threats and impunity, Peccerelli's work has promoted hu...
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 14, 2004