For the second time this year, Alaska law enforcement has found a suspect in a long-stalled investigation using a new technique known as genetic genealogy.
"DNA"
Despite progress, Alaska lacks resources to handle rape kit backlog
The state is chipping away at thousands of backlogged and untested sexual assault kits. But officials stress that recent progress is partially due to one-time grant funds, and that it needs more resources to keep up with rising demands for DNA testing in violent and sexual crimes.
65 years after crash, recovery resumes on Colony Glacier
The military resumed an annual mission Monday to the Colony Glacier, where an Air Force plane crashed 65 years ago, killing the dozens of service members on board.
Appeals Court to issue opinion on possible DNA testing in 35 year old Juneau homicide
Newton Lambert is currently serving a 99 year sentence for the April 1982 murder of Anne Benolken in Juneau. But he wants testing of evidence found on James Benolken’s clothing that could provide a clue about another potential suspect.
Cumbersome process slows rate for examining sexual assault kits
A recent legislative audit of the state’s Crime Lab said the facility isn’t meeting its target speed for processing sexual assault response team kits, which include biological evidence gathered after an alleged sexual assault. A scientist at the lab explained that the process is complicated.
Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos
A Swedish biologist wants to change the genes of healthy human embryos to find ways to treat infertility and other diseases. The experiments intensify ethical questions about genetic engineering.
It’s Not All Genes: Getting Evolution Right When Explaining Human Behavior
It’s time to move beyond models of human behavior centered in genes and natural selection, says anthropologist Barbara J. King, who takes a look at a new paper on the topic.
Scientists Build A Live, No-Frills Cell That Could Have A Big Future
In engineering the cell, researchers paired away nearly all genes that weren’t essential to life. It might eventually serve as a basic framework for different sorts of cellular factories, they say.
‘Great Pause’ Among Prosecutors As DNA Proves Fallible
Experts say the field of forensic DNA is having a moment of truth about years of overstated claims, and it may tarnish its reputation as the “gold standard” of legal evidence.
British Scientists Seek Permission To Edit DNA In Human Embryos
After Chinese scientists announced in April that they had edited the genes in human embryos, many researchers said it shouldn’t be done. Scientists in London say they want to do it for research only.