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☆ The global synthetic drugs crisis has hit West Africa, where people are digging up human bones to make a drug called 'kush'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Cemeteries are bolstering their security measures because gravediggers are stealing human bones to make powerful synthetic drugs, local journalists told Business Insider. AdvertisementA vendor sells daily necessities at a market in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 21, 2024. Formaldehyde also has euphoric properties, says the National Library of Medicine, which explains why kush users could be raiding Freetown's cemeteries. JOHN WESSELS | Getty ImagesJalloh noted that the use of synthetic drugs was not unique to Sierra Leone. ReutersIn 2015, BI's Erin Brodwin covered the rise of these synthetic drugs, marketed as "spice," "K2," "black mamba," or "crazy clown."

Persons: —, Sierra, Julius Maada, Michael Cole, Sally Hayden, JOHN WESSELS, Cole, Mabinty Magdalene Kamar, Abdul Jalloh, HUGH KINSELLA CUNNINGHAM, Thomas Dixon, Jalloh, Salifu Kamara, kush, BI's Erin Brodwin, Brodwin, tranq Organizations: Service, Business, Xinhua News Agency, Getty, Anglia Ruskin University, The Irish Times, National Library of Medicine, Politico, Sierra, Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Police, Getty Images Local, Salone Times, BBC, Freetown Police Force, National Drug Agency, NPR, Guardian, Disease Control, Prevention, Reuters, Financial Times Locations: Freetown, African, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Mabinty, Waterloo , Sierra Leone, kush, New York City, New York, Kensington, North Philadelphia

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The trial and conviction of a movie armorer in connection with a fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie “Rust” has given Alec Baldwin and his legal team a unusual window into how his own trial in the death could unfold. Baldwin’s trial is scheduled for July and will involve the same judge and prosecutors as well as many of the same witnesses. But Gutierrez-Reed's trial included previously undisclosed testimony from eyewitnesses to the shooting. “Alec Baldwin’s conduct and his lack of gun safety inside that church on that day is something that he’s going to have to answer for," prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in her closing arguments against Gutierrez-Reed. The filming of “Rust” moved to Montana after the shooting in New Mexico, under an agreement with Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, that made him an executive producer.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, convicting armorer Hannah Gutierrez, Reed, Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin, “, Hutchins, Joel Souza, Gutierrez, Emily D, Baker, wasn't, Hannah, ”, Reed's, Bryan Carpenter, Souza, Dave Halls, Mamie Mitchell, Alec Baldwin’s, Kari Morrissey, ” Morrissey, Jason Lewis, Attorney Mary Carmack, Altwies, Carmack, Ross Addiego, “ Rust ”, Matthew Hutchins, ___ Dalton Organizations: SANTA FE, New, Forensic Science Services, Gutierrez, Attorney, Democratic Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Gutierrez, Angeles, Santa Fe, Arizona, Montana, Los Angeles

A Florida funeral home shipped the men’s remains to Ireland, according to a letter from a Florida medical examiner’s office. A CNN request under open-records law revealed documents confirming the mix-up, including letters from the Irish consulate in Atlanta to the medical examiner’s office and investigators involved in the case. That’s when the victims’ loved ones discovered the mix-up, according to the August letter from the medical examiner’s office. The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center in Largo, Florida -- home to the medical examiner's office. The District Six Medical Examiner Office did not respond to CNN’s request for additional details.

Persons: Kane Mitchell, Luke Comiskey, he’d, Comiskey, Mitchell, they’re, William Pellan, it’s, “, ” Pellan, Luke Comiskey’s, Luke, James Richard Peoples III, Peoples, ”, ’, Chris O'Mera, Pellan, Leana Wen, Police Adam Geissenberger, Barnabas Church Organizations: CNN, Florida, Pinellas Park Police Department, District Six, Office, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Pinellas Park police, Peoples, Six, Medical, Forensic Science, Medical Examiner Office, CNN Florida’s Department of Law, Pinellas, Pinellas Park Chief, Police, Gaelic football Locations: Dublin, Pinellas Park, St . Petersburg, Florida, Ireland, Irish, Atlanta, St . Petersburg , Florida, Pinellas, Largo , Florida, Baltimore, New York, St, Bronx, New York City, Australia, Spain

☆ U.S.-China fentanyl talks get off to a 'productive' start, security advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (C) announces the launch of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group next to U.S. Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal (center L) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on January 30, 2024. Ng Han Guan | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — The U.S. and China had a "productive" first day of talks in Beijing about the fentanyl crisis, Jennifer Daskal, a deputy homeland security advisor, told NBC News' Janis Mackey Frayer in an exclusive interview Tuesday. "We're looking for results and we had a productive step forward," Daskal said, while acknowledging the risk that China could use its sway over the fentanyl supply chain as a bargaining chip. Daskal, leader of the White House delegation for this week's high-level talks, said the diversity of representatives from both sides "showed a real commitment." "We will know if it works if we start seeing the supply of precursor drugs diminish, if we start seeing the supply of pill presses and other equipment diminish," Daskal said.

Persons: of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Jen Daskal, Ng, Guan, Jennifer Daskal, Janis Mackey Frayer, Daskal, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang Xiaohong, Wang, Biden, Hua Zhendong, Mackey, Hua, Yu Haibin, Yu, NBC's Mackey Frayer Organizations: of Public Security, U.S ., Homeland, Getty, NBC News, National Narcotics Control Commission, Public Security, Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science, China -, Counternarcotics, White House, International Narcotics Control Locations: U.S, China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Afp, BEIJING, The U.S, Mexico, Washington, San Francisco

One focus of the talks was fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that is ravaging America, and in particular ingredients for the drug that are made in China. The U.S. wants China to do more to curb the export of chemicals that it says are processed into fentanyl, largely in Mexico, before the final product is smuggled into the United States. But China refused to discuss cooperation unless the U.S. lifted sanctions on the Public Security Ministry's Institute of Forensic Science. The U.S. quietly agreed to lift the sanctions to get cooperation on fentanyl. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called it “an appropriate step to take” given what China was willing to do on the trafficking of fentanyl precursors.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Wang Xiaohong, ”, Jen Daskal, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Wang Yi, Matthew Miller Organizations: BEIJING, Chinese Public Security, U.S ., U.S, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, ., Biden, Senate, Public Security Ministry's Institute of Forensic Science, The Commerce Department, State Department Locations: U.S, America, China, San Francisco, Taiwan, Mexico, United States, Beijing, China’s Xinjiang, The U.S

A new one-page indictment delivered by the grand jury Friday alleges Baldwin caused Hutchins' death — either by negligence or “total disregard or indifference” for safety. Defense attorneys for Baldwin indicate they'll fight the charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months. The indictment provides prosecutors with two alternative standards for the felony involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. Mangels said a grand jury indictment is by no means an assurance that prosecutors will prevail at trial. “Just getting an indictment from a grand jury in no way means the prosecution has a slam dunk case or even a strong case,” she said.

Persons: — Alec Baldwin, “, Baldwin, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza, Hutchins, they'll, Lucien, Michael Haag, ” Michael Haag, ” Baldwin, Prosecutors, John Day, ”, Kari Morrissey, Jason Lewis, “ Rust, armorer Hannah Gutierrez, Reed, Kate Mangels, Glenn Ellington, Gutierrez, Luke Nikas, Alex Spiro, —, David Halls, Sarah Zachry, Zachry, Mangels Organizations: SANTA FE, Forensic Science Services, FBI Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Arizona, Los Angeles

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A grand jury indicted Alec Baldwin on Friday on an involuntary manslaughter charge in a 2021 fatal shooting during a rehearsal on a movie set in New Mexico, reviving a dormant case against the A-list actor. Special prosecutors brought the case before a grand jury in Santa Fe this week, months after receiving a new analysis of the gun that was used. Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer on the Western movie “Rust,” was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer, but not the trigger, and the gun fired. They later pivoted and began weighing whether to refile a charge against Baldwin after receiving a new analysis of the gun.

Persons: —, Alec Baldwin, Baldwin, ”, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza, “ Rust ”, Lucien Haag, Hannah Gutierrez, Reed, “ Rust, David Halls, Hutchins, Matthew Hutchins Organizations: SANTA FE, FBI, Forensic Science Services, Movie Productions Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Arizona, Montana

☆ A college senior used AI to try and disprove the long-held belief that all fingerprints are unique
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The study relied on AI's discovery of similarities between different fingers belonging to the same person to argue that each fingerprint is, in fact, not totally unique. Some of the pairs came from two different fingers belonging to the same person, while other pairs were two different people's fingers. The AI system discovered that fingerprints from different fingers belonging to the same person were incredibly similar. Researchers honed in on the angles and curvatures at the center of the fingerprint to find these similarities, Guo told CNN. "I think this study is just the first domino in a huge sequence of these things," Guo told CNN.

Persons: —, Gabe Guo, Hod Lipson, Xu, Guo, Christophe Champod, Sarah Fieldhouse Organizations: Service, Columbia University, CNN, Columbia Engineering, University of Buffalo SUNY, Forensics, School of Criminal, University of Lausanne, Staffordshire University, BBC Locations: Switzerland

☆ A man's heart went missing after he died in an Alabama prison. Another family claims it's not the first time this happened.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAnother family is claiming their son's organs went inexplicably missing after being incarcerated by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), court documents viewed by Business Insider show. Dotson's family has yet to find out what happened to their son's heart as the case remains open. Lauren Faraino, an attorney representing Dotson's family, did not immediately return a request for comment sent outside of working hours. Correction: January 10, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misidentified the facility that performed Brandon Clay Dotson's autopsy. It was done by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, not the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Persons: —, Brandon Clay Dotson, Dotson, Dotson's, Charlene Drake, Charles Edward Singleton, Hamilton, David Smith, Charles had, Smith, ADOC, Drake, Singleton, Charles, Lauren Faraino, Faraino, Brandon Clay Organizations: Service, Alabama Department of Corrections, Business, Alabama, Hamilton, Infirmed Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, UAB, ABC, Associated Press, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Locations: Ventress, Birmingham, Dotson's

☆ Los Angeles homeless killings: Suspect accused of fatally shooting 3 unhoused people as they slept; police ask for help
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Cheri Mossburg | Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Officials in Los Angeles are asking for the public’s help to find a suspect believed to be targeting the homeless community after three unhoused people were fatally shot in their sleep this week. The killings happened in various locations in the city, including one near Skid Row, an area of downtown Los Angeles known for its large homeless population. The Los Angeles Police Department shared a map of the three locations where three unhoused men were recently killed. “Seek shelter, seek services, stay together, seek support.”Bass called the news “devastating” to the city, which is home to one of the largest unhoused populations in the country. The Los Angeles Police Department has summoned a task force to work on the case.

Persons: Michel Moore, Moore, “, ”, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, ” Bass, George Gascón, ” Moore Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Police, Los Angeles Police Department, Police, Los Angeles Mayor Locations: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico. A grand jury did not take up the case Thursday and a decision on whether to revive criminal charges against Baldwin still could be weeks away. They later pivoted after receiving a new analysis of the gun and will ask a grand jury to consider recharging Baldwin. NEXT STEPSA grand jury could weigh whether there is “probable cause” to bring charges against Baldwin as the target of the investigation. A case can’t be brought twice before a grand jury on the same evidence, so if they don't proceed this time a second grand jury is less likely.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, Baldwin, “, ”, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza, “ Rust, armorer Hannah Gutierrez, Reed, Neama, Gutierrez, Rahmani, he's, ” Rahmani, Baldwin —, Lucien Haag, Kari Morrissey, Jason Lewis, Hutchins, David Halls Organizations: SANTA FE, — Prosecutors, Baldwin, West, Trial, NBC, FBI, Forensic Science Services Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Southern California, Arizona, Malibu

☆ Biden removes sanctions from Chinese institute in push for fentanyl help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Washington put the institute on the list in 2020 over alleged abuses against Uyghurs and other minority groups, effectively barring it from receiving most goods from U.S. suppliers. Former Chinese ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang in an interview last year described it as "shocking" the U.S. would sanction the institute, which he described as essential to controlling fentanyl. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As part of the meeting, the men agreed to cooperate on addressing the source of the opioid fentanyl, with China promising to go directly after specific chemical companies that make fentanyl precursors. Reporting by Paul Grant and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Chizu Nomiyama and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Biden, U.S . Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Paul Grant, Alexandra Alper, Doina Chiacu, Chizu Nomiyama, Josie Kao Organizations: of Commerce, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science, U.S . Qin, Reuters, Economic Cooperation, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Federal Register, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Beijing, United States, Washington, U.S, San Francisco, Asia, China, State

These are then smuggled into the United States, the officials say. Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on 28 people and entities involved with the international proliferation of illicit drugs, including a large China-based network. Biden is also due to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in San Francisco. In San Francisco, state and local officials have tried to clean up drugs from the city's streets, with limited success. "We know San Francisco - and cities across the United States - will benefit from more targeting of the trafficking and production of fentanyl worldwide," a spokesperson for Breed said in a statement.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Mike Odeh, Jake Sullivan, Washington, General Merrick Garland, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Alicia Barcena, Brooke Jenkins, Mayor London Breed, Breed, Michael Martina, Sayantani Ghosh, Michelle Nichols, Josie Kao Organizations: Customs, Port, U.S . Customs, FRANCISCO, U.S, Economic Cooperation, United, city's, APEC, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, . National, Washington, Biden, Institute of Forensic Science, China's Ministry of Public Security, Commerce, San Francisco . Mexican Foreign, Mayor London, Thomson Locations: Arizona, Mexico, Nogales , Arizona, U.S, Asia, Pacific, San Francisco, United States, China, CHINA, MEXICO, Washington, San Francisco . Mexican, Francisco's

☆ US set to take action to win China's cooperation on fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Biden will discuss the issue with China's President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in San Francisco at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Washington hoped the summit would result in action to help combat the fentanyl trade. China has long questioned why the U.S. would expect cooperation on fentanyl while targeting the institute. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fentanyl issue. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly mixed with other illicit drugs, often with lethal results.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Karine Jean, Pierre, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Bejing, Biden, Xi Jinping, Washington, Marsha Blackburn, Blackburn, Michael Martina, Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: National, White House Press, White, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, China's Institute of Forensic Science, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, China's, Economic Cooperation, . National, Washington, Institute of Forensic Science, China's Ministry of Public Security, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, U.S, China, America, China's

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Special prosecutors are seeking to recharge actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in 2021, describing Tuesday their preparations to present new information to a grand jury. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesAttorneys for Baldwin said the latest move by prosecutors is misguided. Special prosecutors initially dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April, saying they were informed the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. The weapons supervisor on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case. In the revived case against Baldwin, a grand jury would “determine whether probable cause exists to bind Baldwin over on criminal charges,” special prosecutors said.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, Kari Morrissey, Jason Lewis, they’ll, Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin, Joel Souza, “, ” Morrissey, Lewis, ” Baldwin, ”, Luke Nikas, Alex Spiro, Baldwin —, Lucien Haag, Hannah Gutierrez, Reed, “ Rust, David Halls, Hutchins, “ Rust ”, Matthew Hutchins, Andrew Dalton, Susan Montoya Bryan Organizations: SANTA FE, —, FBI, Forensic Science Services, Authorities, Associated Press Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Mexico, Arizona, Italian, Montana, Los Angeles, Albuquerque , New Mexico

A judge vacated the felony murder convictions in 2020, after testing found the towel was free of blood. The two men filed a federal wrongful conviction lawsuit against Lee, eight police investigators and the town of New Milford. U.S. District Court Judge Victor Bolden ruled in July that there was no evidence Lee ever conducted any blood tests on the towel, and a summary judgement was issued against him. Under the settlement, which must still be approved by the General Assembly, Birch and Henning would each receive $12.6 million, Attorney General William Tong's office said. Simpson murder trial, in which he questioned the handling of blood evidence.

Persons: —, Henry Lee, Ralph “ Ricky ” Birch, Shawn Henning, Everett Carr, Lee, Victor Bolden, Birch, Henning, William Tong's, Lee . Lee, ”, Blood, Henry C, Simpson, JonBenet, Scott Peterson, Laci, Phil Spector, Spector Organizations: General, University of New, Lee, of Criminal, Forensic Sciences Locations: HARTFORD, Conn, New Milford, Hartford, New Milford . U.S, Birch, JonBenet Ramsey, Colorado

☆ How forensic investigators use DNA, fingerprints and other methods to identify remains after a fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“DNA has been really extremely helpful for us, with the Rapid DNA,” said Alison Galloway, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who helped identify remains during the Camp Fire. “If you don’t have that … then it’s a lot more difficult.”In general, forensic experts rely on DNA, dental analysis, fingerprints, medical hardware or circumstantial evidence to try to identify remains. “We’re still diligently working trying to make sure that we can identify (remains), and that’s why that DNA is so important, because we got fingerprints from three,” he said. Galloway, the forensics professor, said one of the advantages of the Rapid DNA technology is in quickly determining whether a DNA swab is usable. Maui asks for family members to come forwardFor Rapid DNA to work, family members of the missing have to willingly submit to DNA swabs.

Persons: ”, Alison Galloway, Santa Cruz, Josh Green, CBS’s, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, John Pelletier, “ We’re, Stephen Meer, Sudhin, –, Meer, we’ve, you’ve, you’re, ” Meer, Jonathan Masaki Shiroma, what’s, …, Robert Quinn, “, Robert Quinn’s Organizations: CNN, University of California, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, ANDE Corp, Forensic Science, Fire, FBI, Maui Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, California, Santa, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Paradise , California, Galloway, Ukraine, ”, Butte County

☆ Fact Check-In wake of Maui fires, here’s why some trees survive damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Some posts on social media in the wake of the fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, however, suggested that the fact some trees had remained standing showed proof that the fires were somehow engineered or steered to intentionally burn homes and vehicles, leaving trees unscathed. Reuters photographs and satellite imagery of the Lahaina Banyan Court area produced by Maxar Technologies shows buildings, vehicles and trees damaged following the fires (shorturl.at/bpsTX), (here). Other trees were more heavily damaged, but remained standing, Reuters pictures show (here), (here). Regardless, the fact that some trees could remain standing or were less damaged than cars or buildings during a fire is not abnormal. Trees sometimes survive severe damage during fires due to factors including their water content and the ways a fire spreads.

Persons: Albert Simeoni, ”, Erica Fischer, Fischer, Christopher Baird, ” Baird, Katie Kamelamela, James Urban, Niamh Nic Daeid, Nic Daeid, Read Organizations: Reuters, Facebook, Maxar Technologies, Fire Protection Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Wood Science, Engineering, Oregon State University, “, JB, University of Hawaii, West Texas, M University, Conservatory, Akaka Foundation, Tropical Forests, HOW, Fire Protection, Leverhulme Research, Forensic Science, University of Dundee Locations: Maui, Instagram, Lahaina Banyan, Oregon, Colorado, Manoa, Hawaii

☆ Rust shooting: Charges against Alec Baldwin could be refiled as forensic report shows trigger on gun used in shooting had to be pulled
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jamiel Lynch | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

At the time, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said Baldwin could still face culpability and charges could be refiled. “The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly affects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez. If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed. When reached by CNN Wednesday, Morrissey said charges against Baldwin are still being considered and a final decision had not been made. According to the report attached to Gutierrez Reed’s motion, the experts say the trigger was in fact pulled on the weapon, which Baldwin has consistently denied.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, “, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza, Baldwin, CNN’s, Kari Morrissey, Jason Lewis, Gutierrez, Morrissey Organizations: CNN, Forensic Science Services, CNN Wednesday, Science Services, FBI Locations: Arizona, Mexico

☆ Nation River Lady: Woman is identified nearly 5 decades after she was found floating in river, Canadian police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Zenebou Sylla | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Canadian police have identified a woman known as the “Nation River Lady,” nearly five decades after she went missing and was found dead floating in a river in Ontario, police said. Police say Langford, 48, became known as the “Nation River Lady,” after the Nation River in eastern Ontario where her remains were found on May 3, 1975. In March 2022, her remains were repatriated to the US followed by a memorial service and burial, the release says. Rodney Nichols, 81, was criminally charged with Langford’s murder at the Ontario Court of Justice late last year, the release states. “Detected members of our local crime unit in the criminal investigation branch have always believed this case was solvable, that we would one day identify the person who became known as the Nation River Lady,” Kearns said.

Persons: ”, Jewell “ Lalla ” Langford, Langford, John, Jane, men’s neckties, Rodney Nichols, Daniel Nadeau, Branch, Jewell Langford’s, Nichols, Langford “, Janice Mulcock, “, Marty Kearns, ” Kearns Organizations: CNN, Canadian, Ontario Provincial Police, Police, Centre of Forensic Sciences, Ontario, Justice, OPP’s, ” Police, Ontario Police Department, Facebook, American Businesswomen’s Association, OPP Investigations Locations: Ontario, Montréal, Toronto, Hollywood , Florida, Jackson , Tennessee

“In this instance, the grand jury of the 228th District Court of Harris County found that no crime did occur, that no single individual was criminally responsible,” Ogg said. But a tragedy isn’t always a crime, and not every death is a homicide,” Ogg also said. He’s looking forward to getting back home after being cleared by the grand jury,” Schaffer told CNN. The grand jury met for six hours and homicide detectives testified, according to Schaffer. It was unclear at the time what Scott saw from the stage and whether he was aware of the conditions in the crowd.

Persons: Travis Scott –, Kim Ogg, John Junnell, Brett Silberstein, ” Ogg, isn’t, “, Scott, Travis Scott, ”, Ted Anastasiou, Kent Schaffer, Schaffer, ” Schaffer, Troy Finner, Mike Barrow Organizations: CNN, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, District, Schaffer . Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Locations: Harris County, Harris

☆ US will 'make every effort' to boost cooperation with China on fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The United States has said the institute was complicit in human rights abuses toward Uyghurs and other Chinese ethnic minorities. But Robinson said blocking the flow of fentanyl and precursors to the United States and securing China's cooperation on the issue was a top priority. And it's an issue I think is very likely going to be raised directly with the Secretary's Chinese counterpart, PRC (People's Republic of China) counterpart. And depending on the response, I think everything is on the table in terms of getting some kind of global cooperation on this issue," Robinson said. Robinson said he did not find it "that unusual" that China would seek to extract concessions from Washington in exchange for help on fentanyl.

Persons: Biden, Antony Blinken, Todd Robinson, Robinson, Joe Biden, Qin Gang, Gang, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Kristina Cooke, Don Durfee, Angus MacSwan Organizations: U.S, China's Ministry, Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science, Commerce, Bureau of International Narcotics, Law, Affairs, State Department, People's, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Qin, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, United States, U.S, Beijing, People's Republic of China, Washington, San Francisco

☆ Human remains found in 45 bags are missing call center staff, Mexico confirms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Bertha Ramos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Human remains found in 45 bags discovered in a suburb of Guadalajara belong to call center workers who went missing in May, Mexican authorities have confirmed. The Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences (IJCF) said Tuesday its tests had confirmed the remains belonged to the missing workers and said the next of kin had been informed. However, it did not specify whether remains from all seven of the missing workers were in the bags. The seven workers disappeared from the metropolitan area of Guadalajara sometime after May 20. Mexico has been troubled by an epidemic of disappearances with more than 100,000 Mexicans and migrants still missing.

Persons: Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Organizations: CNN, Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences, Security Locations: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Zapopan, Mexico’s, Mexico, United States

☆ Mexico police found 45 bags containing body parts "matching characteristics" of missing call center staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Juan Carlos Paz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Forty-five bags containing human remains with characteristics matching seven missing call center staff has been discovered in a ravine in a suburb of Guadalajara, according to the state prosecutor’s office in Jalisco. Luis Joaquín Méndez Ruíz, a Jalisco prosecutor, said they found the human remains inside bags thrown on a lot with a very steep slope. The Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences is working with the families of those missing to determine the identification of the human remains. The country has been troubled by an epidemic of disappearances with more than 100,000 Mexicans and migrants still missing. Kidnapping and human trafficking are also not unusual in parts of Mexico, particularly in border areas and Mexico’s overall homicide rate is among the highest in the world.

Persons: Luis Joaquín Méndez, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Organizations: CNN, Prosecutor’s Office, Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences Locations: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico, United States

☆ Using Forensic Evidence to Solve Crimes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Amanda Foreman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Historian Amanda Foreman searches the past for the origins of today’s world. Read previous columns here. In February, police in Burlington, Vt., announced they had solved the city’s oldest cold case, the 1971 murder of 24-year-old schoolteacher Rita Curran. Taking advantage of genetic genealogy using DNA databases—the latest addition to the forensic science toolbox—the police were able to prove that the killer was a neighbor in Curran’s apartment building, William DeRoos.

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