Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
Sofia: Part 5
Sofia woke up with a massive headache pounding through her skull. She wondered where it had originated because she hadn't been drinking last night with Daviel. In fact, the last thing she remembered was him passing out on top of her before her mind went dark.
By Sharlene Alba8 years ago in Criminal
Autopsy
There is so much misinformation about autopsies in fictional TV, movies, and books, that it is time to set the record right. The parts of an autopsy are an external examination, Y-incision, removal of organs, stomach content analysis, collection of tissue samples, head and brain assessment, and the conclusions of the examiner. During all of this, the medical examiner is responsible for identifying the victim and estimating the time of death.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Ronaldo Venuti: An American Mob Story (Part 1)
New York, New York; the city that never sleeps. A place that has welcomed millions of people from all over the world. People that have left their homes and their families behind in hopes of creating a new life in a new place. The idea of America is the idea of prosperity and freedom. For all these people, their ideas and dreams fuel their hard work and determination that one day they achieve their American dream. Unfortunately, for some, a new life means a low paying job, and run-down apartments with little hope of a better life, as is the case for the Venuti family; that is, until they have a run in with the mob.
By Sean Powers8 years ago in Criminal
Old School Fingerprints Just Don't Cut It Anymore
Fingerprints may seem old school to people today. After all, we've been using them in this country to catch the bad guys for over 100 years. Now there is an all-you-can-read smorgasbord of new and exciting discoveries in fingerprinting that will amaze you! It is no longer a world of loops, whirls, and arches, but one of chemistry, nanoparticles, and physics.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
'Wentworth' Over 'Orange Is the New Black'
As an easily entertained American female, I will binge anything on Netflix that catches my interest, and I'm not immune to the allure of a good drama. I loved OITNB the second it started and the cast was phenomenal. I waited a year in between each season and binged the newest season in a day just because I loved it. I have no issues with the first few seasons, but then I saw a few episodes of Wentworth; it was just too nice and easy to digest compared to Wentworth. Each bit of drama and plot leading on felt just too typical and unreal in the typical Hollywood fashion in Orange Is the New Black. Even most of the appearances in the show are too pretty for prison. I would bet that 90 percent of women in prisons in the US do not care about their appearances as much as this show would make you believe.
By Kira Lydia G.8 years ago in Criminal
The McStay Family
On February 4, 2010, a family of four vanished from their home. Joseph Mcstay was 40 at the time he went missing and his wife Summer was 43. They had two kids; Gianni was 4 and Joseph Jr. was 3. The family's home was searched after they disappeared and there was a carton of eggs left on the counter and two bowls of popcorn left on the sofa. It was obvious that the family left in a hurry. Were they running from something, someone?
By Faith McCune8 years ago in Criminal
New Data on DNA
DNA Methylation You do not need a degree in biochemistry to get the gist of forensic DNA. Everyone gets the fact that DNA is unique to each human being, and can be used to connect a perpetrator to a crime. The first crime solved by the analysis of DNA was in 1988 in England when Colin Pitchfork was convicted of murder, thanks to the efforts of Alec Jeffreys. We've come a long way, baby. New developments in DNA forensics are both remarkable and frightening. We'll start with what is remarkable.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Basic Ballistics
Ballistics is a science that encompasses more than you think it does. There are several disciplines including internal ballistics which deals with the actual propulsion of a bullet through a gun, while external ballistics is the analyzing of the bullet's path through the air. There are several things that can influence a bullet's flight path, such as wind, weather, and air drag. Impact of a bullet is categorized as terminal ballistics. This leads to analyzing the angle and depth of wounds and impacts into walls or ceilings and various objects which have been struck. In April of 1925, Calvin Goddard established the Bureau of Forensic Ballistics in New York City with C. E. Waite, Philip O. Gravelle, and John H. Fisher. The biggest advance in ballistics was the invention, by Gravelle, of the comparison microscope. This device enabled scientists to see a crime scene bullet at the same time as a bullet test-fired from a suspect's gun.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
The First 24 Hours
Libraries, bookstores, and the internet failed me. Just when I needed them the most, I spent over three days looking at every book that any local store had, any story or report that I could find on the internet, but none of what I found came from side of the story that I currently stood on. So none of my questions on how I was supposed to deal could be answered.
By Alizza Marie8 years ago in Criminal
You Don’t Know Whether You are Coming or Going in 'Roman J. Israel'
When I saw the preview for Roman J. Israel, I wondered how I had missed this real life Civil Rights lawyer from the front lines of early 70s injustice. I eventually learned the esquire was a fictional character, and despite the outdated fro and retrograde wardrobe, the setting was present day. Even so, the trailer tidbits and performance prove Denzel can still obviously bring it, but no amount of chops, can save all the back and forth this film subjects you to.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Criminal
