General Forensics Blogs

If you want a basic overview of forensics, these blogs can give you a great look at what the world is like when you are a forensic science technician.

1. Forensic Crime Scene: Learn about different aspects of a crime scene, and how you can use forensics to solve a crime.
2. Zeno’s month: Get inside information on the life of a forensic scientist.
3. Forensic Talk: An interesting look at the issues facing those working forensics.
4. All About Forensic Science: An overview of different techniques of interest related to forensics.
5. Forensic Science: The writers at Suite 101 offer helpful insights into forensics.
6. Forensics Wiki: A helpful resource for all things related to forensic science.
7. Forensic News Blog: Learn about the latest news and information in the world of forensics — and how the media presents the science.

Physiology and Anatomy Blogs

A basic understanding of how the human body works can go a long way for a forensic technician, since you might be dealing with answering questions that require some knowledge.

8. Morbid Anatomy: Get a good idea of human anatomy and morbidity. Also includes interesting art related to the subject of death.
9. Human Physiology Mcqs Postgraduate Entrance preparation: Learn about different aspects of human physiology in a way that can help your forensic ability.
10. Medical Eponyms with Explanations: Get an overview of different names you might run into.
11. davidrothman.net: Helpful information about medicine and anatomy.
12. Anatomy and Physiology Blog: This offering from Sacramento State can bring insight into the human body.

Toxicology and Pathology Blogs

You hear about “toxicology reports” quite a bit in forensic science. You may also need to understand pathology. These blogs can help you learn more about how that all works.

13. Accelrys: Explores a number of issues in science research, including toxicology.
14. Digital Pathology Blog: Learn about digital pathology, including tissue pathology.
15. Neuropathology Blog: Learn about the pathology of diseases affecting the neurological system.
16. pathtalk.org: Look at different cases, and learn things that can help you as a forensic science technician.

DNA/Genetics Blogs

Genetic testing and DNA evidence are increasingly important parts of crime investigation, and these blogs can give you a good idea of how it all works.

17. Plain Error: A look at DNA evidence and testing.
18. it is NOT junk: A DNA blog focused genomes, evolution and issues related to the study of our make-up.
19. Think Gene: Keep up with what is happening in the world of genetics.
20. DNA Blog: Get information about DNA and genetic testing from CyGene Direct.
21. Eye on DNA: A look at how DNA is being used in science and technology.

Ballistics and Guns Blogs

Learn about how guns work, and learn how this knowledge can be used to aid your work as a forensic science technician.

22. Ballistic Simulator: Provides helpful examples of how you can use a ballistic simulator to figure out what happens when a gun is shot.
23. Battlefront.com: An interesting weapons ballistics blog.
24. Online Guns Blog: A look at guns, and different aspects of them.
25. Dustin’s Gun Blog: Learn about guns, how they work and different characteristics of different guns.
26. The Firearm Blog: A helpful look at the different properties and aspects of firearms.

X-ray Blogs

It helps to understand how x-rays work, and how to read them, since you might use them in your work.

27. X Ray Technician Blog: Learn a little bit about radiology and x-rays.
28. OptoIQ: News and information about using x-rays and other aspects of optics to solve a number of mysteries.
29. rt-image.com: Interesting posts and articles on imaging and the latest news in radiology.
30. Medical Imaging Talk: Get the latest news in medical imaging and learn useful information for forensic science.

Criminal Justice Blogs

Learn the ins and outs of the criminal justice system.

31. Expert Witness Blog: Many forensic scientists and technicians are used as expert witnesses. Learn what it takes to do this well.
32. Total Criminal Defense: A look at the basics of criminal defense and what goes into it.
33. Criminal Justice Online: Interesting cases, and insight into the way evidence gathering works, and how evidence is used in the criminal justice system.
34. Criminal Justice USA: Insight into improving your career as a criminal justice professional.
35. Dorf on Law: Learn about the legal system from a Cornell professor.

Law Enforcement Blogs

You will have to work closely with cops, so learn about their point of view so that you understand how you can help.

36. Mr. Police Man: Learn about what it’s like to be out there on the front lines.
37. The Chief’s Corner: Police life from the perspective of a police chief.
38. The Plastic Fuzz: An interesting blog about life as a police officer. Also serves as a support community. You will need permission to read this blog.
39. The Johnny Law Chronicles: A real world look at the life of a police officer.
40. Police Inspector Blog: A cool police blog with a U.K. twist.

Crime Psychology Blogs

Learning how the criminal mind works can help you become a better forensic science technician.

41. Deception Blog: This blog is all about the psychology of deception when it comes to crime.
42. In the news by Karen Franklin PhD: This is an interesting blog about crime psychology by a former forensic psychologist.
43. Sociology and Criminology at Keele University: Study criminology and how it relates to society.
44. Centre of Criminology Library Blog: Insight into what is happening in the minds of criminals.

Specialized Forensic Blogs

From computer forensics to forensic accounting to forensic anthropology, there are some different specialized fields related to forensics.

45. Forensic Astrology: That’s right. Some people use the skies to solve forensic mysteries.
46. Forensic Photoshop: Helpful tips and tutorials on using Photoshop with your forensics career.
47. Computer Forensics: Learn about the lives of a team of computer forensic scientists.
48. Computer Forensic Blog: Get the latest happenings in computer forensics.
49. Forensic Medicine Resources: Information and resources related to forensic medicine.
50. Afarensis: A look at forensic anthropology and some of the news issues associated with the science.

The following list of the twenty-five most influential people in forensic science is listed in alphabetical order by surname. The links lead to more information about each individual.

1. Dr. Michael M. Baden: Dr. Baden is a medical doctor and a board-certified forensic pathologist known as a host of HBO’s Autopsy. He also is known for his work as an investigator into high-profile death cases including John Kennedy, O.J. Simpson, Sid Vicious, John Balushi and more. His latest case involved the investigation into the cause of David Carradine’s death. Baden concluded that Carradine’s death was not the result of suicide. Dr. Baden wrote Unnatural Death, Confessions of a Medical Examiner and Dead Reckoning, the New Science of Catching Killers.
2. Dr. William Bass: If you’ve heard of the Body Farm, a book penned by Patricia Cornwell, then you may have heard of Bill Bass. This man was responsible for the resolution of many high-profile cases as well as the education of some of the most high-profile forensic scientists in this country through the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center, which he started in 1971. His specialties include research into human osteology, human decomposition and the roles they play in answering questions about a person’s death. He writes forensic fiction with journalist Jon Jefferson under the pen name, Jefferson Bass.
3. Dr. Joseph Bell: This link takes you to the Joseph Bell Centre for Forensic Statistics and Legal Reasoning at the University of Edinburgh, established in 2001. This center was named for Dr. Bell (1837-1911), who inspired Arthur Conan-Doyle’s Sherlock Homes. Conan-Doyle met Dr. Bell in 1877 at the University’s medical school, where he observed Bell’s keen attention to detail. The Joseph Bell Centre offers training courses to enhance and expand the skills of lawyers, forensic scientists, law enforcement officials, law students, IT security staff, and the judiciary.
4. Frank Bender: Currently, Frank Bender is one of the best known and forensic facial reconstruction artists. He calls himself a “recomposer of the decomposed” as he shapes likenesses from clay. His work over the years has led to over twenty-five positive identifications for places such as the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, the FBI, the Mexican Government and Interpol. One of his most recent works is a pencil sketch of a homeless man that Philadelphia police killed in July.
5. Dr. Mark Benecke: Born in Germany in 1970, Benecke (known as “maggot man”) received his Ph.D. at Cologne University and worked in the Manhattan Chief Medical Examiner’s office until 1999. Currently, he works internationally as a freelance expert witness and teaches at various police academies and acts as a visiting professor to various universities. His latest claim to fame is his attempt to explain alleged signs of vampirism.
6. Dr. Sara C. Bisel: Dr. Bisel (1932 – 1996) was a physical anthropologist and archaeologist who pioneered work in the chemical and physical analysis of skeletons. Her work, especially in Herculaneum, a town destroyed by the 79 CE Mount Vesuvius eruption, helped advance the field of forensic archaeology. Her work at Herculaneum also established her reputation internationally as an authority on ancient health and nutrition.
7. Francis Edward Camps: Almost any pathologist could tell you about Camps’ (1905-1972) 88,000 postmortems performed during his career as a chief pathologist at London Hospital. Although his nervous temperament played havoc in court, this attribute also endeared him to television audiences. He was fascinated with the Jack the Ripper case and, after pursuing evidence, determined that “Jack” was Montague John Drewitt. Camps helped to develop the British Association of Forensic Medicine and he donated his papers to the hospital’s Forensic Medicine Department.
8. Dr. Marcella Farinelli Fierro: Perhaps you know Dr. Fierro best as “Kay Scarpetta,” a fictional character in a series of crime novels penned by Patricia Cornwell. Fierro, former Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Professor Emerita, oversees all violent, suspicious and unnatural deaths throughout the State of Virginia. She also teaches forensic pathology and serves as a consultant to the FIB on the National Crime Information Center. Dr. Fierro advised Cornwell on all her Scarpetta books.
9. Sir Alec John Jeffreys: Considered the “father of DNA evidence,” Alec Jeffreys’ discovery of the first DNA fingerprint was accidental. But, this British geneticist’s discovery revolutionized forensic science and also helped to resolve paternity and immigration disputes. Most recently, Sir Jeffreys has called for a drastic reduction in the DNA database, stating Britain has disregarded rights and privacy of innocent people in collecting database information.
10. Ellis R. Kerley: Kerley (1924-1998) was an American anthropologist and pioneer in forensic anthropology. In research, he is best known for pioneering the microscopic approach to the estimation of age at death from human bone. A university professor for 22 years, Kerley also served as Scientific Director of the Army identification laboratory in Hawaii and worked on many forensic cases — most notably the identification of remains belonging to repatriated American soldiers from Korean and Vietnam Wars. The Ellis R. Kerley Forensic Sciences Foundation was founded in 2000 in his memory.
11. Clea Koff: After studying prehistoric skeletons in Berkeley, California, Cloa Koff (also known as the “Bone Woman” based upon the title of her book) was sent to Rwanda in 1996. What occurred over the following four years changed her life and shocked the world as she exhumed bodies and studied their bones for the UN War Crimes Tribunal. Her answers to questions about the victims may help bring the guilty to justice in Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.
12. Wilton Marion Krogman: Krogman (1903-1987) was an American anthropologist and teacher who taught some of the world’s leading forensic anthropologists. He published his first work in 1941, The Growth of Man, while at Chicago. In 1972, he published Child Growth based on his studies while a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He published one of his most famous works in 1986, entitled The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine. His work remains standards for anatomical measurements throughout the world. University of Pennsylvania named a building for Krogman, and also bestows an award for distinguished achievement in biological anthropology in his name.
13. Frances Glessner Lee: A socialite and heiress, Frances Lee (1878-1962) revolutionized crime scene investigation through building miniatures, or tiny dioramas, that detailed how a crime scene was developed and how it possibly evolved. These Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death,” originally donated to Harvard in 1945 for use in her seminars, eventually went to the Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office. Frances also became a captain in the new Hampshire State Police, obtaining a great deal of technical knowledge about crime scene forensics.
14. Dr. Henry C. Lee: Possibly one of the world’s most well-known forensic scientists, Henry Lee currently serves as the Chief Emeritus for Scientific Services for the State of Connecticut and an occasional lecture professor of forensic science at the University of New Haven, where he has helped to set up the Henry C. Lee Forensic Institute. Lee has worked on so many high-profile cases that it’s difficult to name them all; but, some cases include O.J. Simpson, Laci Peterson, JonBenet Ramsey, the DC sniper shootings, and was involved in the early stages of investigation for the missing Orlando toddler, Caylee Anthony.
15. Edmond Locard: Locard (1877–1966) pioneered the development of criminalistics, the practice of gathering evidence for scientific examination and crime solving. Locard developed the first official crime laboratory in the world. His most important contribution is the principe de l’échange (principle of exchange). Locard stated “Toute action de l’homme, et a fortiori, l’action violent qu’est un crime, ne peut pas se dérouler sans laisser quelque marque.” Translated, “Any action of an individual, and obviously the violent action constituting a crime, cannot occur without leaving a trace.”
16. William R. Maples: Maples (1937-1997) was a renowned forensic anthropologist at the University of Florida. He is known for his work in human identification and trauma analysis and for his book, Dead Men Do Tell Tales. Throughout his career, he assisted in the identification of the human remains of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Czar Nicholas II, and Joseph Merrick, “The Elephant Man.” Maples also assisted medical examiners in Dade County identifying victims of the ValuJet airline disaster in the Everglades. The University of Florida named their center for forensic medicine after Maples, a man who “brought compassion and scientific rigor to the more than 1,200 cases with which he was involved during his twenty-eight year career.”
17. Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan: Known as Dr. Death, this Thai forensic pathologist also is an author, a human rights activist and a cancer survivor. She currently is the Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice in Bangkok. She also introduced DNA evidence to Thailand and altered how autopsies were carried out in this country. She dyes her hair punk-rock hair red, wears eccentric clothing and makeup; but, while her appearance may belie her professionalism, it reflects her candor. Most recently, Porntip took charge of the effort to identify victims of the tsunami in the Phang Nga region.
18. Professor Cedric Keith Simpson: Simpson (1907-1985), an English pathologist, was a professor of forensic medicine at the University of London at Guy’s Hospital and a lecturer at the University of Oxford. He was considered the leading forensic pathologist in Great Britain after Sir Bernard Spilsbury (see below). His most notable case involved the first use of forensic odontology, or the identification of an individual through teeth and bite marks, in a murder conviction against Robert Gorringe for the murder of his wife, Phyllis.
19. Sir Sydney Alfred Smith: Born in New Zealand, Smith became Chair of Forensic Medicine at the University of Edinburgh until 1953. His first big case involved the discovery of the bodies of two children in the Hopetoun quarry near Edinburgh. Although the bodies had been in water for eighteen months, Smith provided enough vital information to lead to the arrest of the father and to Scotland’s first execution of the century. Sir Smith described this event in his autobiography, Mostly Murder. Smith’s work on an attempt on the life of Sir Lee Stack Pasha, the Sirdar of the Egyptian Army and Governor General of Sudan marked the beginning of scientific examination of firearms and projectiles.
20. Robert P. Spalding: Spalding joined the FBI in 1971 as an investigative agent and, in 1975, began to teach forensic serology at the Forensic Science Research and Training Center (FSRTC), FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. During this time, he developed expertise in bloodstain pattern analysis and was assigned to the newly formed Evidence Response Team Unit, where he taught crime scene investigation to FBI field office evidence response teams throughout the U.S. He is the owner of Spalding Forensics, LLC, and contributes to many books on the topic of serology.
21. Sir Bernard Spilsbury: Noted as Britain’s first forensic scientist, Sir Spilsbury (1877-1947) worked on cases including the Seddon case and Major Armstrong poisoning. Spilsbury single-handedly transformed forensic pathology from a widely discredited science to one that was both “ghoulish and glamorous.” A media hero based upon his almost supernatural gifts in solving murder mysteries, Spilsbury took his own life in 1947 after a series of personal disasters. The Wellcome Library plans to digitize Siplsbury’s note cards this upcoming year.
22. Richard Walter: This American forensic psychologist developed psychological classifications for violent crime after interviewing more than 20,000 convicted felons. He also co-founded the Vidocq Society, an organization for forensic professionals dedicated to solving cold cases. Walter’s most spectacular case involved John List, a man who had been in hiding for eighteen years. With the help of artist Frank Bender (see above), List was captured the day after the profile and image were displayed on the television show, America’s Most Wanted. On the infamous side, Walter may face perjury charges [PDF] in a 1982 case.
23. Dr. Cyril H. Wecht: Dr. Wecht has served as a forensic pathologist consultant in numerous high-profile cases and is noted for his controversial theories on cases for Elvis Presley, O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey. His most notable case, however, is his outspoken criticism of the Warren Commission’s findings concerning John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Dr. Wecht currently serves as a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Graduate School of Public Health, and holds positions as an Adjunct Professor at the Duquesne University School of Law, School of Pharmacy, and School of Health Sciences.
24. Dr. Michael Welner: This link takes readers to The Forensic Panel and its peer reviewed protocols, the first of its kind in the U.S., pioneered by Dr. Welner. Dr. Welner has defined the application of the cutting edge of science to forensic practice through his work as principle forensic psychiatrist in some of America’s most sensitive litigation. he has pioneered the effort toward establishing a clinical and forensic standardization of the worst of crimes, through tools such as The Depravity Scale, a history- and evidence-driven forensic instrument that helps experts to define legal words for purposes of fair and consistent application to criminal sentencing.
25. Dr. Frederic Whitehurst: Dr. Whitehurst was employed by the FBI crime lab, which rated Whitehurst as the leading national and international expert in explosive and explosive residue sciences. Despite this rating, Dr. Whitehurst was forced to defend himself against the FBI when he blew the whistle on scientific fraud within the FBI lab during the case of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. After winning the first successful whistle blower cases against the FBI, Whitehurst started the Forensic Justice Project (FJP), a non-profit forensic watch dog group that functions as a project of the National Whistleblowers Center (NWC).

Forensics Fields

There are a number of different aspects of forensics, with different fields and opportunities. These courses can give you an idea of general forensics, as well as help you understand the different divisions of forensics.

1. Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence: This course from Kaplan University provides a helpful look at biology issues involved in forensics, as well as impression evidence. There is also a unit on computer forensics.
2. Forensic Engineering: The Open University offers a course in engineering and how forensics can help engineers identify structural defects and other quality issues in large structures.
3. Forensic DNA: An interesting collection of information, training modules and more on forensic DNA from a Boise State University professor.
4. Forensic Accounting: Resources and information on forensic accounting, along with activity ideas and suggested reading.
5. A National Protocol fro Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations: This is from American University and provides helpful information on forensic examinations in the cases of sexual assault.
6. Cryptography and Cryptanalysis: Often, forensics involves cracking codes. This class from MIT can help learn more about cryptography and how to analyze codes and find patterns.

The Human Body

Forensics requires a knowledge of the human body. It is important to have a basic understanding of how the body works, what is normal, and what effects different scenarios might have on the body. This is extremely helpful in terms of understanding what you are seeing at a crime scene. The following open courseware classes on the human body can be quite helpful.

7. Anatomy and Physiology: This course from Western Governor’s University provides a helpful look at different parts of the human anatomy and how the human physiology works.
8. Biology (Human Anatomy): This course from the University of California Berkeley is a general look at the human body, how it is set up, and how it functions.
9. Clinical Psychology: This course is another from the University of California Berkeley, and can help you better understand some of the issues related to how the brain functions in terms of mental state. This can help you evaluate evidence with a psychological point of view.
10. The Human Body: Harvard offers an excellent course on the human body, its systems and how they work. Includes helpful visuals and even makes use of flashcards.
11. Modern Biology: Carnegie Mellon University offers a great look at biology and molecular biology and human functioning through its Open Learning Initiative.
12. Principles of Human Disease: This MIT course can help you learn about how disease works in the body, and help you as you ascertain cause of death and look for clues about how someone was injured.

Crime

Understanding crime, and having a background in why crimes are committed can be a big help to a forensic scientist. These open courseware courses can help you learn more about different types of crime, and the motivations behind them.

13. Crime, Heredity and Insanity in American History: This course from Notre Dame provides an interesting look at crime in a historical context, as well as looking at different ways crimes have been solved throughout the years, and the roles of forensics.
14. Criminology: Harvard University provides a number of useful links, course materials, lectures and news related to forensic science and criminology.
15. Cybercime: This is another Harvard open courseware offering. The Cybercrime course focuses on crimes related to the Internet, and shares helpful and insightful case studies.
16. The meaning of crime: This is an interesting look at the causes and motivations behind crime, as well as providing a number of different definitions of crime, from the Open University.
17. Youth delinquency: This is an interesting course on young people and crime. This offering from Wikiversity provides a look at different factors that can influence youth delinquency, as well as a look at what can be done to reduce delinquency.
18. White Collar and Corporate Crime: The University of California Irvine provides an interesting class on the factors behind white collar crime. This is an important aspect of forensics, including forensic accounting, as corporate crime increases.
19. The problem with crime: Another provocative course from the Open University, this class looks at different themes related to crime, including the problem of identifying exactly what crime is.

Law

Having some knowledge of the law is important in forensic science. Understanding the rules and laws under which you will be expected to operate is vital. Here are some courses that can give you a basic understanding of some of the laws you are upholding and following.

20. Trials in History: MIT offers an interesting look at different trials through history, considers systems of evidence used in them and addresses other issues.
21. Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier: An assessment, from MIT, of law and ethics as enforcement moves to the Internet. Especially helpful in terms of computer forensics.
22. iTunes U: Stanford offers a number of interesting podcasts and courses on different aspects of the law. Learn about privacy law, ethics and specific cases related to different trials and investigations.
23. Criminal Justice System: This course from Connexions looks at the criminal justice system, how it works, and considers its effectiveness. A useful primer in how things work.
24. Aims and Limits of the Criminal Law: The University of California Berkeley looks at what the law is meant to accomplish, as well as some of the limits inherent in criminal law.
25. Privacy rights and the law: You may want to investigate a crime, but it is important to understand privacy rights. This course from the Open University examines privacy rights and their place in our society.

This list is divided into categories that address information security, spam issue, privacy law, cybercrime, homeland security blogs, identity theft and white collar crime. Each blog, which addresses how these issues affect the general public and Internet users, is listed in alphabetical order within each category. This method assures readers that we do not favor one blog over another.

Information Security Blogs

1. Amrit Williams Blog: This is the personal blog for Amrit Williams, who has over 18 years of experience in information technology, security, and risk management and is currently the Chief Technology Officer of BigFix, an enterprise systems and security management solution provider.
2. Bruce Schneier: Bruce Schneier covers security and security technology news and issues in this blog.
3. Information Security Resources: The goal at this blog is to help industry stakeholders, government regulators, and the public better understand and address the mounting information security threats inherent in the information age.
4. Liquid Matrix Security Digest: Dave Lewis has been working on this blog for a decade, reporting news about computer, network and information security.
5. Roger’s Information Security Blog: Use this blog to learn more about antivirus protection, cyberlaw, hacks, spam, spyware and more.
6. Security Fix: Brian Krebs reports on computer security for the Washington Post.
7. The Internet Security Zone: Software developer, ZoneAlarm, offers this blog on current Internet security topics such as Facebook, ID theft, PC security, technology, phishing and much mroe.
8. ThreatChaos: Learn about security from Richard Stiennon, a security expert and industry analyst who is known for shaking up the industry and providing actionable guidance to vendors and end users.
9. ThreatPost: Learn more about topics such as compliance and regulations, data breaches, encryption and malware attacks through this blog.
10. Virus Bulletin: This is a blog and an in-depth magazine on malware and spam. Learn more about how to fight both and how to protect your systems from attack.

Spam Issues

11. All Spammed Up: If you want anti-spam attitudes in a business environment, use this blog to learn more about phishing, security, spam news and how to fight spam.
12. Spam Notes: Venkat Balasubramani is the principal of Balasubramani Law, and he focuses on email, electronic communications, online networks, privacy and more in this blog.
13. Spam Resource: Al Iverson has been blogging about email, anti-spam, deliverability and related topics for over seven years.
14. Spamnation: The purpose of this site is to collect information that might be of use to people who are trying to reduce their own spam load or protect the systems that they administer against spam.
15. SpamScams: SpamScams.net is about uncovering and archiving spam email, scams, and email phishing schemes.
16. Terry Zink’s Anti Spam Blog: Terry Zink is a Program Manager for Microsoft Forefront Online Security, and he writes about what that spam team does spam team while avoiding tactics that are not publicly available on their web page.
17. The Spam Diaries: News and musings about the fight against spam by Edward Falk, who has been writing about spam since 1977.

Privacy Law Blogs

18. Information Law Group: This is a new blog, written by David Navetta, that focuses on privacy, security, technology and intellectual property.
19. Privacy and Information Security Law Blog: Hunton & Williams LLP provides legal services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals, as well as to a broad array of other entities. They also provide this blog, which focuses on technology security issues.
20. Privacy and Security Law Blog: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP provides a service to readers who want to know more about the legalities involved with privacy and security issues.
21. Privacy Law: Keith Enright is a recognized expert in the field of data privacy and information management and is highly involved in shaping and developing business best practices and methodologies around data stewardship and information management.
22. Privacy Law Blog: This blog is maintained by Kristen J. Mathews of Proskauer Rose LLP. Topics include CAN-SPAM, children’s online privacy and more.
23. Security, Privacy and the Law: The Foley Hoag Security, Privacy and the Law Blog focuses on the security and privacy issues encountered by businesses that often require immediate and discreet solutions.
24. Technology and Marketing Law Blog: You can learn much about technology and marketing legalities from Eric Goldman, an Associate Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law. He also is director of the High Tech Law Institute.

Cyber Crime, Compliance and Justice

25. Bank Info Security: Learn more from these bloggers about information security, compliance and technology issues.
26. Cyber Crime Lawyer Blog: David Seltzer from Balliro, Galasso, Leskovich & Seltzer LLP provides news and insight into cyber crime, media and more with this blog that touches on current issues.
27. CYB3RCRIM3: Susan Brenner is a law professor who speaks, writes and consults on cybercrime and cyberconflict.
28. CyberCrime & Doing Time: Gary Warner talks about cyber wars, digital certificates, phishing, public policy and more in his blog.
29. Cybercrime Law: While not every activity that has an adverse effect to today’s networked society is criminal, most of them would be subject to review and analysis. Policies for preventing cyber crime are fair game; opinions by experts, geeks, lawyers, and mere users would be welcomed at this blog by Dimo Michailov.
30. The Cyber Sleuth: Surf into a dimension of crime that includes cops, robbers, technology and guile. “It’s the middle ground between privacy and exposure; suspicion and surveillance; and security and panic.”
31. The Red Tape Chronicles: Bob Sullivan covers Internet scams and consumer fraud for MSNBC.com. The Red Tape Chronicles is MSNBC.com’s effort to unmask “corporate sneakiness, government waste and technology run amuk” and offer real solutions that save you time and money.

Homeland Security and Government Security

32. Disastor Zone: Disaster Zone is dedicated to sharing information about the world of emergency management and homeland security.
33. Government Computer News: This blog/magazine is managed by 1105 Government Information Group, a provider of integrated information and media for the government information technology market.
34. Government Technology: This blog does not feature issues within the government as much as provide solutions for state and local governments who must deal with providing and receiving online information.
35. Homeland Security Watch: This blog features breaking news, analysis and informed commentary on critical homeland security issues. Contributors include Phil Palin and Christopher Bellavita.
36. Homeland Stupidity: This blog about homeland security is entertaining, insightful and irreverant. It also provides a side of the story that you may not like nor agree with, but it’s one perspective.
37. HomeStation: A blog by the Integrative Center for Homeland Security that reports on topics such as emergency preparedness, border security and critical infrastructure among other issues.
38. The Blog at Homeland Security: If you want news straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, then visit this blog to learn more about how this government agency operates.

Identity Theft

39. Fight Identity Theft: The goal of this blog is to make you more aware of the risks of identity theft and to present clear steps you can take to protect yourself.
40. Identity Theft Blog: Look for useful tips and information on categories such as ID theft, theft prefention and how to identify identity theft.
41. Id Theft Secrets Blog: This blog offers quick tips, reviews and resources to aid busy consumers in protecting credit and personal information from identity theft fraud.
42. Identity Theft News and Blogs: This is a top news source for information about video, blogging, identity theft and data breaches.
43. ITAC Blog: Stay on top of the blogs contained here to learn how corporations, government entities and more are learning how to protect your privacy and security.
44. Privacy and Identity Theft: David Jevans is the Chief Executive Officer of IronKey, based in Los Altos, California. He is also the Chairman and Founder of the Anti-Phishing Working Group, the leading non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating identity theft and fraud on the Internet.

White Collar Crime

45. Letter of Apology: Solomon L. Wisenberg is a white collar criminal defense attorney located in Washington, DC. He handles federal white collar matters throughout the nation and writes about current white collar crime issues.
46. The Informant: The National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) maintains this blog, focused on the high-tech and economic crime landscapes.
47. The Power Elite: This blogger firmly believes that this recession was caused by white collar crime. But, that’s not the only topic this sociology and criminal justice teacher touches on in his blog. Read on for intelligent and insightful points about white collar crime and justice.
48. White Collar Crime News: In addition to white collar crime, this attorney focuses on computer and street crime, business law, identity theft assistance and more through his New Jersey offices.
49. White Collar Crime Prof Blog: Ellen S. Podgor, professor of law at Stetson University College of Law, writes a continuous stream of information about crimes, legal situations and news that centers on those folks who wear white collars.
50. White Collar Fraud: A convicted felon and a former CPA offers information on how to detect and report white collar crime. He also teaches law enforcement, professionals, and students about white collar crime and how to catch corporate miscreants.

1. Henry Lee: Born in China as the 11th of 13 children, Lee fled to Taiwan with his family at the end of the Chinese Civil War. He was a police captain in Taiwan by the age of 25. In 1972, Lee came to the United States to study Forensic Science. He also has a Ph.D. in biochemistry. Lee worked on the JonBenét Ramsey case, the O.J. Simpson Case and the Laci Peterson case. He also consulted on the murder of Deputy White House Counsel Vincent Foster, as well as worked on the D.C. sniper shootings. Lee was accused of accidentally destroying, or even hiding, evidence in the Phil Spector case. He is one of the most well forensic experts today.
2. Cyril Wecht: Originally, Wecht wanted to be a musician. He was even concertmaster at the University of Pittsburgh. However, he went on to get his M.D. Wecht served in the Air Force, and later became a forensic pathologist. He eventually became coroner of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. He served as coroner from 1970 to 1980, and from 1996 to 2006. He has personally performed more than 14,000 autopsies. Wecht is famous as a consultant, especially on TV. He has consulted on the outcomes of the deaths of John F. Kennedy (he is famous for disputing the findings of the Warren Commission), Sharon Tate, issues relating to the Branch Davidian incident, Anna Nicole Smith, JonBenét Ramsey and Vincent Foster. Wecht also has a pathology private practice, in which he and associates provide consultations on cases. However, he was tried for fraud, but it was declared a mistrial.
3. Michael Baden: Baden’s high profile comes from the fact that he is seen everywhere, lending his insight as a medical doctor and forensic pathologist to a number of famous cases. He hosts the HBO show Autopsy, and also contributes on the Fox News Channel. He has written two non-fiction books that are quire popular. Baden served as the Chief Medical Examiner for New York City between 1978 and 1979. He has served as an expert witness or as a consulting pathologist on a number of famous forensic cases (some that require him to re-evaluate events of past history), including John F. Kennedy, Czar Nicholas II, O.J. Simpson, John Belushi, Phil Spector, Kathleen Savio and Lisa McPherson. Baden has a private practice as a pathology consultant.
4. Clea Koff: Forensics has spawned a number of different sub-fields, and one of those is forensic anthropology. Clea Koff is one of the premier forensic anthropologists in the world, studying deaths in cases where the remains of a victim may be in advance stages of decomposition. Koff worked for the United Nations for several years, and helped on missions in Bosnia, Rwanda, Serbia, Coatia and Kosovo. Koff received her degree in forensic anthropology, and has written an autobiography about her work. Koff founded The Missing Persons Identification Resource Center, and works to help people identify their loved ones if they can’t find them through official missing persons channels.
5. William Maples: This man was a noted forensic anthropologist working in the middle of the 20th century. He had a Ph.D., and authored a book (with Michael Broning), Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropoligist. He became well-known for consulting on cases of the deceased, by looking at their remains. He worked on the U.S. president Zachary Taylor, looks at the case of “The Elephant Man, John Merrick, Francisco Pizarra and the Ramanov family, of which Czar Nicholas II was the head. He worked at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and was known for helping to solve unsolved cases.
6. Joseph Bell: This man pioneered some of the techniques known today in forensic pathology. At the time (in the late 19th century and early 20th century), forensic pathology was rarely used as a way to help solve crimes. Bell taught his students about observation, and built upon knowledge from his great-grandfather, the forensic surgeon Benjamin Bell. Bell is considered to be an inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, since Arthur Conan Doyle met him in 1877 and was impressed by him. Bell taught at the University of Edinburgh in the medical school, and served as Queen Victoria’s personal surgeon whenever she was in Scotland. He is still studied today by forensic pathologists learning techniques of diagnosis and understanding behavior.
7. Edmond Locard: One of the pioneers in forensic science is Edmond Locard. He was well-known for the formulation of the basic tenet of forensic science: “Every contact leaves a trace.” Locard studied law and medicine at Lyons, and he also became the assistant to criminologist Alexandre Lacassagne. After leaving Lacassagne, Locard founded the first police laboratory, starting in the Lyons police department with two attic rooms and two assistants. Locard developed 12 matching points for fingerprint identification. He was known as the “Sherlock Holmes of France.” His work paved the way for forensic science to find a place in police work.
8. Sara Bisel: One of the pioneers of forensic anthropology, Sara Bisel studied a number of interesting cases. She has a degree in biochemistry, as well as a degree in classical area studies. She was most interested in uncovering information about events from the far past. She played a prominent role in the research associated with Herculaneum, the town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. She was known for her professionalism, and taught at various schools. Her work, and her theories and processes, especially with regard to health and nutrition, is considered to have been a great help in advancing forensic anthropology, especially as it relates to understanding stomach contents and evaluating the health of a victim.
9. William Bass: Another pioneer in forensic anthropology, William Bass was renowned for his ability to help identify human remains. He founded the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at the University of Tennessee. He was a professor there for many years. His facility is referred to as the “Body Farm“, a name popularized in a fictional book by Patricia Cornwell of the same name. Bass has written fictional stories as well, using the name Jefferson Bass, reflecting his collaboration with Jon Jefferson, who helped write a non-fiction book about the Body Farm. Students from all over come to study at the Body Farm, to learn about identification techniques.
10. Alec Jeffreys: While not exactly a forensic expert himself, Sir Alec Jeffreys pioneered many of the techniques used in forensic science today. This British scientist is most well-known for his work with DNA profiling and DNA fingerprinting. His work is used in crime labs all over the world. He teaches genetics at the University of Leicester, and is know to help detective work, immigration disputes and help prove paternity.

The following list contains 25 free open courseware classes about criminology are listed in alphabetical order to show readers that we do not value one course over another. In each case, the college that provides the course is listed in brackets following a description of the linked course. Remember that these courses usually do not contribute to college credits; however, they can help you build a solid criminology background with just some time and effort on your part.

1. Adolescent Health and Development: Lecture materials in this course address youth-based criminal activity. [Johns Hopkins]
2. Aims and Limits of the Criminal Law: This course is a series of lectures (some audio only) that focus on the aims and limits of criminal law. [Berkeley Webcasts]
3. Case Studies in Terrorism Response: Through three illustrative case studies, you can learn basic concepts and principles of terrorism preparedness and response as well as identify some specific practical considerations. [Johns Hopkins]
4. Civil Litigation I: This course addresses topics of parties to a civil suit, jurisdiction, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, informal and formal discovery, legal documents such as the complaint, answer, and motions, and the jury selection process. [KAPLAN]
5. Crime, Heredity and Insanity in American History: Learn more about how Americans have thought about crime and insanity and how these ideas have changed over time. [Notre Dame]
6. Criminal Justice System: Are Drug Courts better than treatment programs at addict rehabilitation? Learn more about this question through this learning module. [Connexions]
7. Criminal Law: Judge Colquitt provides a syllabus, news, lecture notes, case studies and more through this course which covers the criminal justice system, the criminal act, the criminal mind and more. [University of Alabama]
8. Criminology: This site is devoted to the topic of criminology. You can subscribe through RSS and learn more about work in progress and work in the field. [Harvard Science]
9. Cryptography and Cryptanalysis: This course is an introduction to modern cryptography, with an emphasis on the fundamental cryptographic primitives of public-key encryption, digital signatures, pseudo-random number generation, and basic protocols and their computational complexity requirements. [MIT]
10. Cybercrime: Criminal acts that are accomplished while sitting at a computer keyboard are the focus of this course. Learn about viruses, worms, logic bombs, Trojan horses, and denial of service attacks; distributing and creating child pornography, stealing identities; selling contraband and stalking victims. [Harvard Law School]
11. Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier: How to law, policy and technology relate to the evolving controversies over Internet control? Learn about regulations and technologies that govern Internet use, including computer crime. [MIT]
12. Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence: Learn about the major contributors to the development of forensic science and about the responsibilities of police officers that are first to arrive at a crime scene as well as the role and responsibilities of expert witnesses. [KAPLAN]
13. Hustlers, Drugs and Prison: This is just one of many videos with transcripts that focus on various areas within criminology. [Open Vault]
14. Introduction to Copyright Law: This course approaches copyright law and American law in general, including the structure of federal law, basics of legal research, legal citations, fair use and more. [MIT]
15. Law and Society: This course examines law as a set of social systems with central actors, legal reasoning and the relationship of the legal form and reasoning to social change. The criminal justice system is part of this course. [MIT]
16. Reading Seminar in Social Science: Race, Crime, and Citizenship in American Law: Learn about the relationship between race and crime in the U.S. with a special emphasis on the role this relationship has played in the development of American ideas about citizenship and nationhood. [MIT]
17. Security and Terrorism Topics: This page tackles various perspectives on global security and terrorism through articles on those topics. [YaleGlobal Online]
18. Terrorism, Peace and Other Inconsistencies: This course addresses a set of inter-related questions on topics such as suicide terrorism, the rationale behind the U.S. “war on terror” and whether the global community should deal with state terrorism in its varied forms. [Notre Dame]
19. The Meaning of Crime: What is crime? This unit examines how society defines crime and how communities generate fear and available evidence to support claims that are made about crime rates. [The Open University]
20. The Problem with Crime: The material in this course is based upon an audio file, originally 29 minutes in length, and examines the problem of crime in relation to the city of Glasgow in 1999. [The Open University]
21. The Technology of Crime: The material presented here focuses on core controversies surrounding the increased use of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) for the purposes of crime control and general surveillance. [The Open University]
22. Trials in History: This course examines famous European and American trials throughout history while considering political, social and cultural issues, trial construction and then-current public discussion. [MIT]
23. Violence, Human Rights, and Justice: This course addresses the contemporary problem of political violence and the way that human rights have been conceived as a means to protect and promote freedom, peace and justice for citizens against the abuses of the state. [Teachers Without Borders]
24. White-Collar and Corporate Crime: Learn more about criminal activity within professions, organizations and businesses. Professor Henry Pontell from the Social Ecology Department developed this course. [UCIrvine]
25. Youth delinquency: This abstract deals with socio-psychological factors that contribute to youth delinquency. The resource list at the end of the page is valuable to criminology students who wish to pursue this subject. [Wikiversity]

1. Official CSI site offers a look at CSI from the official source. You can watch past episodes, read episode recaps, see teasers from the upcoming season, chat while you watch and enjoy cast information and interviews.
2. CSI:The Experience provides a behind the scenes look at a special exhibit about CSI and what goes into the show. While the physical exhibit runs for a limited time, the Web site is chock full of images, cast information and a fun test that lets you analyze the evidence.
3. CSI: Fan Club provides insight into all three CSI shows (Las Vegas, Miami and New York). Image galleries, forums, and character profiles are available.
4. CSI: Fanatic provides great spoilers from upcoming episodes, as well as cast bios from all three shows. There is also a section on the CSI show in the news, and other forensics issues. There are also fun games and quizzes that you can take.
5. CSI Files offers episode guides, news and really cool interviews with cast members from all three shows.
6. CSI Wiki is a WetPaint site that allows you to contribute. There is CSI news, as well as images, videos, trivia and a page that connects you to still more CSI fan sites.
7. TV Loop’s CSI page is a fun place to go and play quizzes about the show. Additionally, you can join the discussion, read show recaps and get quotes from characters in the show. Read fan chains and interact with others who love CSI almost as much as you do.
8. CSI Wikia represents another fan Wiki containing videos, images and character bios from all three CSI shows. You can also get templates and get ideas for CSI-related projects.
9. Shades On Shades Off is a CSI fan site devoted to CSI Miami. There are bios for the cast members, including pretty cool images from other projects cast members have been involved with (i.e. David Caruso in NYPD Blue).
10. CSI Forensics is devoted to showing you around the world of CSI. Episode recaps from all three shows, as well as information on the series, CSI challenges (you can compare your case solve rate to others’), and information on cast and characters.
11. Home of the GSR Addict is devoted to a number of aspects of CSI. You can see episode updates, and see images and videos. You can also read about “geek love” between characters on CSI, as well as get some cool behind the scenes looks as well.
12. Crimelab.nl is actually a New Zealand CSI fan site. It is devoted to all three CSI shows, and also includes information on NCIS and Cold Case, as well as other forensic science shows. Quotes, character bios, merchandise and other cool features can be found.
13. Talk CSI provides a place to chat about the three shows, and enjoy the comraderie of like-minded individuals. This site includes announcements about the show, episode guides and other helpful information and tidbits.
14. Boxxet CSI page offers a great chance to buy merchandise, watch videos and view images. You can also see episode recaps and get previews and spoilers from upcoming episodes. Get new about the show — including information about press tours.
15. MySpace CSI Fan Club is a place for MySpace users to congregate and share information about the show. There are videos, as well as music and information on cast members. It includes a “Who I’d Like to Meet Feature” that is quite interesting.
16. CSI at TV.com has a great place to learn about the show and the cast members. You can watch full episodes, as well as see reviews of the show, see images and read about the cast and crew. There is also a blog and trivia related to CSI.
17. Watching CSI offers show news and interviews with CSI stars. News about all three CSI shows is available, along with images and some videos. Episode recaps and commentary are also available.
18. CSI at Wikipedia has a great bit of information on the show, its background and its episodes. Learn interesting tidbits about things like where the show’s theme song came from, and keep up with releases. There is even a section on CSI parodies.
19. CSI on Facebook is a good place to watch videos, see fan photos and comment on what you see. There are also individual Facebook pages for each of the three shows, with CSI Miami page having the most fans.
20. CSI at IMDB provides detailed cast bios, along with episode lists from all three shows. You can watch videos and full episodes, as well as view images. Plot synopses are avvailable as well.
21. CSI: NY Fan Wiki is devoted to the CSI: NY installment of the show. The wiki allows fans to contribute. Episode details and images are available. Additionally, there is a section on relationships between characters. Vote for which characters you want to see get together. There are other polls and activities as well.
22. CSI Fan Club at FanPop offers video, photos, bios and more. Additionally, there is a question forum where people can get their questions about the show answered.
23. William Peterson Appreciation Page devotes itself to the actor who plays “Grissom” on CSI. Even though he left the show, many are still enthralled with him, and there are rumors that he will be back. These rumors are untrue right now, but if you want your “Grisson” fix you can get it with pictures and video, as well as information on projects he is involved with beyond CSI.
24. CSI Fanfic is for those who are interested in fan fiction. Want to create art or additional stories using characters from CSI? Want to read what others are doing with CSI characters? This is the place for you!
25. GRSFanGirl writes fan fiction, as well as provides videos and photos from the show.

The list below is categorized with information from colleges, experts, writers and journalists. You’ll also learn about the dark side of computer forensics and you may enjoy a touch of forensic astrology or a return to dead files that have been reopened with DNA evidence. They’re all here, listed in alphabetical order beneath each category.

Learning Mode

1. Forensic Crime Scene: Learn about autopsies, blood spatter, DNA, footprints and more from this couple who are fascinated with forensic science and true crime television shows.
2. Forensic Science: Learn more about this science, including biological evidence, crime scene processing, DNA, pathology and more from Suite 101 writers.
3. Forensic Science Blog: Follow the forensic science students at the University of Florida as they report on their studies and findings.
4. Mount Ida College Criminal Justice/Forensic Science Blog: This blog covers the doings at the Mount Ida College’s criminal justice and forensics department, including current research.

In the Field

5. All About Forensic Science: This blog is just one small portion of an extensive Web site maintained by a forensic psychologist and a forensic odontologist. The focus is on psychological impacts of mass casualty incidents on forensic odontologists and biting behavior – but, there’s so much more to this site.
6. Coroner Stories: A long-running yet sporadic blog on coroner issues, thoughts and practices.
7. Crime/Punishment: Charles Montaldo is a private detective who has worked in various crime detection areas. He’s created an online criminal library at About.com.
8. Forensics Talk: Learn more about workplace issues, psychology, science and more forensic topics from this forensic nurse.
9. “Live from the Coroner’s Office”: This Lake County coroner focuses on child and adolescent issues, politics (it’s an elected office) and more.
10. OSTP Blog: A blog from the Office of Science and Technology Policy that brings some transparency to forensice issues at the government level.
11. The Writer’s Forensics Blog: Dr. Lyle, a cardiologist, is an award-winning author, probably best known for his books, Forensics for Dummies and the fictional Devil’s Playground. His blog focuses on current and historical crime and forensics.
12. Zeno’s Month: Zeno is a forensic scientist at the Netherlands Forensic Institute of the Ministry of Justice. You’ll find information about forensic image processing and biometrics, forensic science, forensic psychiatry and other aspects of forensic evidence here.

Criminal Law & Justice

13. CrimProf Blog: Dean Kevin Cole at the University of San Diego School of Law writes about a wide variety of crime law topics.
14. Grits for Breakfast: This blogger looks at the Texas criminal justice system, “with a little politics and whatever else suits the author’s fancy…”
15. Sentencing Law and Policy: If you’ve ever wondered about how or why criminals are prosecuted, then follow Douglas A. Berman’s blog to learn more.
16. Texas Criminal Law: Follow this Texas criminal lawyer as he deals with the criminal process from investigation through pre-trial, trial, appeals and post-conviction proceedings.
17. White Collar Crime Prof Blog: Ellen S. Podgor, professor of law at Stetson University College of Law focuses on white-collar crime issues.

Forensic Reporting

18. Caroline’s Crime Scene: Crime Reporter Caroline Lowe provides readers with an inside perspective into the world of crime. Caroline, who also has a police officer’s license, includes her thoughts on stories and offers tips and advice on self-protection.
19. Crime: This is an interactive CNN section that focuses on national crime issues and developments.
20. Crime Scene: Brought to you by Jennifer Lebovich and Andrea Torres from the Miami Herald. Plenty of links and information behind-the-scenes.
21. Crime Scene Blog: The metro editor and crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers write about local crime scene investigations and more. They bring a behind-the-scenes perspective that is riveting.
22. Crime Scene KC: From Amber Alerts to Wrongly Convicted, this Kansas City Star blog dishes up forensic science and true crime daily.
23. Crimesider: CBS offers up “true crime” from this portal that offers a daily blotter, cybercrime, police interrogations and more.
24. Dr. G. Medical Examiner: TV Show, forums, podcasts and more offered by this Discovery Channel venue.
25. Dumb as a Blog: Although this Tru-TV blog isn’t our first pick for forensic information, the venue it hides behind is chock-full of forensic news, information about crime and more (be sure to check out their Crime Library).
26. In Session: This CNN blog reports on national forensic news from investigations to testimonies to trials.
27. Texas Death Penalty Blog: This link leads to the Dallas News blog that focuses on Texas’ death penalty issues.
28. The Charles Smith Blog: This former Toronto Star reporter focuses on the failures of forensic pathologists and forensic pathology.

Crime Psychology

29. In The News: Dr. Franklin is a forensic psychologist and an adjunct professor. She also is a former criminal investigator and legal affairs reporter who writes about forensic psychology, criminology and psychology law.
30. Terrorism Research News: Collating details of social and behavioral research on terrorism and responses to terrorism.
31. PsychBLOG: This UK blogger writes about anything related to the OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) A-Level Psychology course. This means he writes about all levels of psychology including forensic psychology.

Crime Scene

32. Crime Scene Cleanup Blog: A totally different take on the crime scene – from the aftermath, when all evidence has been collected. Someone needs to clean up, right?
33. CSI Blog: The National Museum of Crime and Punishment offers a blog that focuses on crime scene investigation.
34. The Crime Scene: This blog focuses on crime investigation in and around southwest Missouri.

Other

35. Expert Witness Blog: What does it take to become an expert witness? What do those witnesses do? Learn everything you wanted to know and more about this element of investigation from this blog.
36. Forensic Astrology: Stick forensic science and astrology together and you have a blog on unsolved crimes and missing persons cases.
37. Forensic Photoshop: Forensic Photoshop includes tips, how-tos, step-by-steps, and advanced techniques for using Photoshop in a forensic workflow for document examiners, forensic video analysts, latent print examiners and more.
38. The Agitator: This writer and editor specializes in investigative writing on civil liberties, the drug war and the criminal justice system with an interesting perspective.
39. The Smoking Gun: Although this long-standing site doesn’t look like a blog, it is an updated site – check the RSS feed and current articles. This blog brings exclusive documents obtained from government and law enforcement sources.
40. Whistleblowers Protection Blog: Learn about white crime and whistle-blower protections from The National Whistleblowers Legal Defense and Education Fund’s blog.

A Return to the Crime Scene

41. Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project: The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP) is a non-profit organization that provides investigative and legal assistance to incarcerated people who have been wrongly convicted in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
42. Plain Error: Through the use of DNA testing, the Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) helps innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives.
43. The Innocence Project: This blog is maintained by a non-profit legal clinic that focuses on biological evidence to help prove claims of innocence among prisoners.
44. The Justice Project: This blog is written by a nonpartisan organization focuses on fighting injustice by increasing fairness and accuracy in the criminal justice system.

Computer Forensics

45. A Day in the Life of an Information Security Investigator: This security guru shares his unique experiences working with federal, corporate, and military institutions and provides his perspective on the security issues impacting the IT industry today.
46. Computer Forensics: Follow this team of GIAC-Certified forensic analysts as they share their thoughts on digital forensic and incident response techniques and trends.
47. Computer Forensics/E-Discovery Tips/Tricks and Information: If you’re into computer forenics and electronic discovery, use this blog for tips and tricks.
48. Forensic Focus Blog: Jamie Morris offers thoughts and musings on computer forensics.
49. Forensic Incident Response: Learn more about forensic science, incident response, methodologies, and the ability to relate real world investigations to digital ones.
50. The Dark Visitor: Get a glimpse into the world of China’s hackers through the eyes of a retired U.S. Army intelligence agent and Chinese linguist.

Although the list below barely taps the number of cases that could be listed here, the links lead you to sites that hold many more cases — especially cold cases — where you can browse for more information.

Celebrity Cases

1. Michael Jackson: In 2004, Jackson – famed pop singer – faced charges of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, with four counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, attempted lewd acts upon a child and four counts of administering intoxicating agents to a minor in 2003. A jury acquitted Jackson of all charges in 2005, although he faced another accusation of sexual molestation in 1993.
2. Michael Skakel: In 1975, fifteen-year-old Martha Moxley’s body was discovered in her back yard. She had been beaten so thoroughly with a six-iron that the shaft had shattered, and a jagged piece of it was used to stab her through the neck. It wasn’t until 2000 that Skakel surrendered and was booked on charges of murder as a juvenile (he was born in 1960). Skakel, nephew of Ethel Skakel Kennedy, the late widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was convicted in 2002 and is serving a twenty-year to life sentence.
3. O.J. Simpson: When O.J. Simpson’s wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found murdered outside Nicole’s Los Angeles home in 1994, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife. He was acquitted in a highly-publicized trial, but found guilty for damages in the murders during a civil trial. Now, Simpson – a former NFL football hero – is serving a 33-year sentence for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault and robbery for a separate incident that occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2007.
4. Robert Blake: An actor best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Tony Baretta in the television series by the same name, was arrested in 2002 for the murder of his wife, Bonnie Bakely. He was found not guilty of the murder and one of the two counts of solicitation for her murder in 2005. He was, however, found liable for the wrongful death of his wife and ordered to pay thirty-million dollars. Blake filed bankruptcy in 2006, and in 2008 an appeals court upheld the verdict, but cut Blake’s penalty assessment in half. Bakely’s death is considered a cold case at this point.
5. Phil Spector: A musical genius, recognized as a legendary rock and roll music producer, Spector was sentenced this year to nineteen years to life in prison for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson.

Cold Cases

6. Amber Hagerman: This ten-year-old girl was a victim of abduction on 13 January 1996 in Arlington, Texas. Four days later, her body was found in a creek bed and an autopsy revealed that her throat had been cut. She was alive for two days before being killed. No arrests were made and her murder remains unsolved. Amber’s death, however, inspired the creation of the AMBER Alert system.
7. Black Dahlia: Cold case investigators and crime writers have been fascinate with this 1947 murder case. In January that year, twenty-two-year-old Beth Short’s body was discovered in a vacant lot near Hollywood, drained of blood, bruised and beaten, and cut in half. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, this case remains unsolved.
8. Jimmy Hoffa: Former Teamsters president, Jimmy Hoffa, disappeared sometime after 2:45 p.m. on 30 July 1975 from the Machus Red Fox Restaurant’s parking lot located in a Detroit, Michigan, suburb. He intended to meet two Mafia leaders, Anthony Giacolone and Antohy Provenzno. Although some Mafia hit men claimed responsibility for Hoffa’s disappearance, the case remains cold. Ironically, Robert Blake (see #3 above) played the part of Hoffa in the 1983 television film, Blood Feud.
9. JonBenet Ramsey: Ramsey’s parents discovered her in a spare room in the Boulder, Colorado home basement in 1996. Investigation focused on six-year-old Ramsey’s parents from the beginning, but in 2003, an Atlanta judge stated that the police and FBI created a media campaign designed to make the family appear guilty. No evidence ever was discovered to implicate the family in Ramsey’s murder. This case may be cold, but it’s not dead.
10. Natalee Holloway: This eighteen-year-old graduate from Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Alabama was last seen leaving a nightclub in Aruba with three males during a class trip to this Caribbean Island in 2005. Although authorities in Aruba closed the case in 2007, Aruba’s top prosecutor reopened the investigation in 2008 after seeing key pieces of evidence collected by a Dutch journalist.
11. Zodiac Killer: The case of a serial killer who operated in northern California during the late 1960s continues to fascinate and frighten people more than forty years since the last murder. Although the Zodiac claimed in letters to newspapers that he murdered thirty-seven people, investigators agree on only seven confirmed victims, two of whom survived. The Vallejo Police Department maintains a way to report Zodiac crime tips, and the case also remains open in Napa County and Riverside.

Killing Sprees

12. Charles Manson: Although Manson killed on other occassions, he is best known for the 8 August 1969 murders of Steven Parent, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Sharon Tate and Sharon Tate’s unborn child. Although Manson was not at the murder scene, it was discovered that he had ordered the murders. Even in jail, Manson continues to commit crimes, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics, destruction of state property, and assault of a prison guard. He has been denied parole eleven times, and will not be eligible for parole again until 2012.
13. Colin Ferguson: on 7 December 1993, Ferguson boarded a Long Island, New York, commuter train and began shooting passengers with a Ruger P-89 9mm pistol. Six people were killed and nineteen were injured before he was overpowered by three passengers. Ferguson represented himself in trial and was found guilty and sentenced to six consecutive 25-years-to-life terms for the murder conviction and nineteen additional 25-year sentences for each count of attempted murder.
14. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold: On 20 April 1999, these two teenagers conducted a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, that claimed the lives of thirteen people (twelve students and one teacher) and injured twenty-five individuals, including three who were injured while attempting to escape. Eric and Dylan committed suicide at the scene. This was the fourth-deadliest school massacre in the U.S., behind the 1927 Bath School massacre, Virginia Tech (see below) and the 1966 University of Texas massacre. It was the deadliest massacre for any American high school.
15. Seung-Hui Cho: This senior English major at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, killed 32 people (5 faculty members and 27 students) and wounded seventeen other people on campus before committing suicide on 16 April 2007. This massacre represents the deadliest peacetime shooting incident by a single gunman in U.S. history.
16. Timothy McVeigh: On 19 April 1995, Timothy McVeigh, with the help of Terry Nichols, destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, claiming the lives of 168 victims and injuring more than 680 people. The blast used by McVeigh destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on 11 June 2001. His execution was the first federal execution in thirty-eight years.

Murderers

17. James Sullivan: Although this man never shot his wife, Lita Sullivan, he was arrested for her murder. This millionaire, about to lose half his estate in a divorce, instead hired a hit man – Phillip Anthony Harwood – to gun down his wife of nine years on 16 January 1987. Sullivan escaped arrest by fleeing abroad, but on 2 July 2002 he was arrested in Thailand, extradited to Atlanta, Georgia, and in March 2006 was convicted of capital murder. Harwood is scheduled to be released from prison in 2017.
18. John Couey: Repeat sex offender Couey abducted and raped his neighbor’s nine-year-old daughter, Jessica Marie Lunsford, on 24 February 2005. Believed held captive over a weekend, he then was buried Jessica alive in two garbage bags. Police found Lunsford’s body on 19 March 2005, and the coroner ruled that she had suffocated to death. On 24 August 2007, Couey was sentenced to death, as well as three consecutive life terms. Jessica’s tragic death led to the creation of Jessica’s Law, designed to punish sex offenders and reduce their ability to re-offend. This law initially was introduced in Florida, but forty-two other states have introduced similar legislation since this law was passed in Florida in 2005.
19. Leopold and Loeb: Nathan Freudenthal Leopold and Richard Albert Loeb were two wealthy University of Chicago students murdered fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks in 1924 and were sentenced to life in prison. On 28 January 1936, Loeb was attacked by a fellow prisoner and died from his wounds. Leopold was released after serving thirty-three years, and died of a diabetes-related heart attack on 29 August 1971.
20. Scott Peterson: When the decomposed remains of Laci Denice Peterson and the couple’s fetus washed ashore from San Francisco Bay in April 2003, Scott Peterson was arrested. He was charged with the murder of his pregnant wife and the murder of their unborn son, Conner Peterson. The murder occured sometime between 23 and 24 December 2002. Peterson was sentenced to death, but his sentence carries a mandatory appeal. In the meantime, Peterson has started a Web page with his supporters asking for money for that appeal.

Serial Killers

21. Angelo Buono: Known as the “Hillside Strangler,” Buono began his criminal career by age fourteen, when – held in a juvenile delinquent facility – he bragged about raping and sodomizing young girls. eventually, Buono and his cousin Kenneth Bianchi raped, tortured and killed at least nine women in Los Angeles between 1977 and 1979. Bianchi was arrested first, and he turned evidence on Buono. Buono died of a suspected heart attack in 2002 while incarcerated.
22. David Berkowitz: Also known as Son of Sam, this man killed six people and wounded several others. His crime spree, which was shortlived (1976-1977), focused on women. He stated that killing women was sexually arousing, and he fabricated much of his original testimony to try to prove insanity. Today, Berkowitz claims to be a born-again Christian, and he is described as a model prisoner. He has denied any parole hearings, stating he is happy with his life in jail.
23. Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer: Dahmer committed his first murder in 1978, when he was eighteen-years-old. The murders escalated as he aged, culminating in seventeen known murders, mostly of young men. He kept body parts and buried other parts in his previous homes and committed cannibalism as well. The apartment where he was arrested held several corpses in acid-filled vats, skulls, severed heads and human remains in his refrigerator, among other “keepsakes.” After Dahmer was sent to prison, Christopher Scarver, an inmate, beat Dahmer with a bar from a weight machine. Dahmer died of severe head trauma on the way to the hospital in 1994.
24. John Wayne Gacy: KNown as the “Killer Clown,” because he entertained kids at parties in a clown outfit, Gacy was convicted of the torture, rape and murder of thirty-three males between 1972 and the time of his arrest in 1978. Twenty-nine bodies were discovered in the crawlspace of his Chicago home, which led to his arrest. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1980, and he was executed by lethal injection in 1994.
25. Ted Bundy: This attractive man was one of the most prolific known serial killers in U.S. history. Bundy confessed to over thirty murders that he committed between 1974 and 1978 in a nationwide crime spree, but the exact total of murders he committed may never be known. Bundy bludgeoned and then strangled his victims (all female), and he often engaged in rape and necrophilia. He was executed for his last murder and rape of a twelve-year-old girl in Florida in 1989.

Some of these universities have invested so much into science and the fact that they are laying bare, their research will truly be a boost to scientists all across the globe. A good example of such a university is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This giant academic institution which was a pioneer in the revolutionary age of open courseware currently provides 1,800 courses online for free. MIT has been an institution long reputed for scientific innovation and discovery in major fields of study. Their courses even include aeronautics and astronautics, two courses that would not have been open to the academic world some years back. The fact that they also have the largest collection of science related courses worldwide means that they are the best science open courseware centre. Other scientific courses offered include biochemistry, Information Technology, architecture, physics and environmental sciences.

In addition, we have University of California, Irvine. This university has had a long history of engagement on social issues. They area leading public research university in America and over the years they have showcased and disseminated research to the public. Their science related courses are outstanding as they are varied. These include all kinds of physics and spa operations. North Carolina State University is a pioneer of open courseware. In fact by 1998, the university already had set up a lab where they would invent ways to harmonise the internet and higher education. They have thus helped scientists with their incisive and in depth research on various science topics ranging from Information Technology and various branches of physics and biology.

One of the global institutions that have really assisted scientists and especially science students is the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL). Based in India, this academic giant has invested so much in matters technology. The advantage that their open courseware presents is that you get to learn about scientific breakthroughs and vital information from round the world thus they present a wider scope of study. Their focus is mainly on engineering but their research presented in the open courseware is precise, accurate and very informative. The most captivating part of their collection is the “how things work” feature that will interest any upcoming scientist.

Finally, we have the IBM University Initiative. This open courseware presents you with material on the latest there is on matters related to information technology. The university has had a huge reputation when it comes to revolutionary material on computer science.