Questioned Document Examiners seeking to compare or identify writing inks have been urged to consider Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a method of rapid chemical analysis after researchers from Jagiellonian University, Krakow, demonstrated the robust and effective performance of LIBS as a method for the comparative analysis of inks. Published by the Laboratory for Forensic Chemistry at Jagellonian Universitys...

  Updated Crime-lites provide up to 10-hours constant output from a single battery charge Following a complete re-design of the Crime-lite 82 & 42 LED driver board and the addition of a new high capacity battery pack, these powerful 16x LED light sources are now able to provide the same high intensity illumination for up to 10 hours on a single battery...

  By combining the document examination capabilities of a VSC system with one of our selected microscopes, users can achieve the ideal interaction of multi-spectral imaging and advanced image processing with crystal clear imaging of fine details at high levels of magnification.   A selection of microscope options including high specification stereomicroscopes manufactured by Leica Microsystems and Nikon as well as the...

Following a three year public consultation program, The Bank of England has announced plans to introduce polymer banknotes, starting with the new Sir Winston Churchill £5 note in 2016. The switch from cotton paper to polymer banknotes brings to an end 320 years of paper notes issued by the Bank of England and is considered by the bank to be...

    Foster + Freeman is pleased to announce the launch of its 2014 training program, featuring new questioned document examination and crime scene investigation courses alongside a series of product specific training programs providing advanced instruction in the use of the companys industry leading product range.   Foster + Freeman training courses provide participants with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills...

    The latest edition of the SoleMate shoeprint database has now been released to subscribers.   SoleMate 50 includes 457 new records bringing the total number of records in SoleMate to 30,964. Each of the new records features high quality images and information relating to the latest footwear collections produced by leading manufacturers for retail worldwide.   Each record in SoleMate contains the footwear's manufacturer,...

    The ffTA, multi-examination system for the analysis of trace evidence, has been updated through the addition of a new Leica DM2700M microscope.   Providing a high quality optical input to the ffTA system, the DM2700M has been designed to improve stability and reliabilty during forensic inspection and includes a powerful LED light source for brightfield, darkfield, differential contrast and polarized light applications.   The...

    A new software application for the Crime-lite 8x4MK2 allows users to take complete control of the versatile multi-wavelength light source via a Windows PC.   A free download for existing Crime-lite 8x4MK2 users, the Crime-lite 8x4 Control software provides a simple and intuitive interface from which users can make accurate adjustments to wavelength output and colour-mix combinations.   Using the software to select single...

    Would be immigrants travelling on counterfeit passports are having their journey’s cut short while attempting to transit through Dubai where forensic examiners are using Foster + Freeman QDE equipment to identify fraudulent documents.   During the first 6 months of 2013, the Dubai Police uncovered 144 individual cases of passport forgery as the number of illegal immigrants attempting to pass through the...

    Crime-lite 42S, the first dual-colour forensic Crime-lite for crime scene and laboratory applications   Designed to meet the needs of the forensic examiner the Crime-lite 42S is the first forensic Crime-lite to provide three illumination outputs in a single high specification light source.   Switchable between two arrays of 8 high intensity LEDs, allows the crime scene examiner to alternate between two output...