Michigan-Ontario Identification Association
June 2010 E-Newsletter
STUDY BRINGS CLARITY IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
From the Winnipeg MT Free Press
According to a Canadian study published online by the U.K.-based Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, drugs and/or alcohol were found in the toxicology samples of 76% of the 184 women and men studied who suspected they were drugged and then sexually assaulted.
The research builds on an earlier study that found that just over one in five women and men showing up at sexual assault centers believed they had been intentionally drugged, then sexually assaulted.
In this study 96% were women, and almost 86% had been voluntarily consuming alcohol. The victims were also swabbed for male DNA and where it was found it was unexpected in 47% of the cases.
The researchers believe this study will bring peace of mind to the victims and possibly influence policy in terms of the guidelines that sexual assault nurse examiners have for the collection of samples.
FORMER DETROIT CASINO TO HOUSE NEW CRIME LAB
From the Detroit Free Press and Michigan Live
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced that the city is in the process of purchasing the former MGM Grand Casino building to house its police department, fire department, and a new crime lab.
"Having a new headquarters will allow us to run a much more efficient and cost-effective operation," Police Chief Warren Evans said in a statement. "The inclusion of a new Detroit crime lab, operated by the State Police, will mean that criminal cases across the state will move more quickly because of faster evidence processing."
The city plans to buy the 400,000-square-foot building on a $6.32 million land contract with an additional $47 million to be spent in renovations. They hope to have the new building ready by fall, 2012.
It has been proposed that the new crime lab be run by the Michigan State Police, to move beyond the problems that led the Detroit Police Crime Lab to be shuttered in 2008.
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