Author Archives: Dr. Helga George

About Dr. Helga George

Dr. George has spent several years writing about higher education, healthcare and psychology. She transitioned to a career in writing after fulfilling her lifelong dream of performing research on plant defense chemicals. She earned a BS in Agriculture from Cornell University, an MS in Plant Pathology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University. Helga also conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California Santa Barbara where she obtained a USDA grant to fund her research.

Texas Courts Challenging Forensic Science Findings

Statistics show that of 311 DNA exonerations since 1989, half were based on faulty forensic science. How’s that for a statistic? Texas has become a leader in challenging faulty forensic science, thanks a new law that allows convicted offenders to …

New Wyoming, Michigan Police Crime Lab Opens

Detectives in Wyoming, Michigan, say that a newly opened crime lab will allow them to process evidence in a matter of a day or two, instead of waiting out the usual weeks-long process through the Michigan State Police lab. A …

NC Medical Examiner System Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed medical examiner systems are a prevalent and persistent problem in states across the nation, and North Carolina is no exception. In fact, a number of industry professionals are now so concerned about the heavy caseloads in the State’s crime …

Major Delays in Illinois State Crime Lab

From backlogged rape kits to piles of crime scene evidence going untouched for months on end, things at the Illinois State Crime Lab are not looking good. The father of a teen rape victim worries because he is told that …

Examining the Pros and Cons of Digital Autopsies

Can you really replace a scalpel with a scanner? Many think so, thereby giving digital autopsies quite a bit of attention as of late. Welcome to the Future of Autopsies Although the technology is still relatively new, many entrepreneurs are …

National Commission on Forensic Science Takes Center Stage

The newly created National Commission on Forensic Science, a joint effort between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Justice was established to “strengthen and enhance” forensic science as a practice. The National Commission on Forensic …

The Future of Forensic Laboratories

What will the forensic laboratory look like and how will it function 15 to 20 years from now? A recent survey conducted by SmithGroupJJR, entitled Forensic Laboratory 2030, highlighted how changes in technology will affect the way forensic laboratories will …