How Trace Transfer posses a Problem For the TSA in Bomb Detection?

In recent years the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) has placed new security measures at certain airports that require random swaps of passenger’s hands for explosive residue. This measure was put into effect after the Christmas Day attempt bombing in 2009 of the Northwest Airlines Flight 253. While this safety measure was put into effect for the wellbeing of the American public, it also has the potential to do the opposite. Jay Stanley, an attorney and privacy expert with the American Civil Liberties as quoted by CNN saying: “[The TSA] are basically looking for particles of explosives, which is not something that people normally have." While the average person may not have explosives or come in direct contact with them, this does not weed out to fact that a normal person might come in contact with explosive residue though transfer.

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Forensics: The Truth Behind the Shows

A man is found dead with a bullet wound in his chest. Who did it? Since there is blood spatter, a gun, and tire depressions at the scene, this question is best left for the forensics and investigators. At this stage, many people become confused on proper procedures. Many believe that the scene will be investigated by six people, who will collect the evidence, process the evidence at a lab, question the suspects, and arrest the bad guys all in the space of about an hour. I am so sorry to disappoint everyone out there that believes this to be true because, it’s not. Contrary to what many people believe the processing and handling of evidence, the appearance and workings of a corpse, and how forensic evidence, is applied to the criminal justice system in order to catch criminals, is not a quick six person job....

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English Pronunciation

The greatest tongue twister and proof that our language is really weird and hardly make sense.  

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How to Make Pokemon Pokeball Cookies

For all of you nerds out there, this is the perfect recipe to satisfy your nerdyness. Or for all of you parents out there, this is a great recipe to surprise your kids with. It is a very simple recipes that can include people of all ages.

Pokemon Cookie Recipe!

The Story of Cadavers

What happens to a body when a person dies? Does it end up in a grave, cremated, or decomposing in a creepy neighbor’s backyard? 

It may, but it could go on to be so much more. A body can go on to have, in a sense, a life after death. Bodies that are dedicated to science go on to have curious second lives as cadavers.  They have new jobs and a new life where their efforts save and improve millions of lives.

 How is this possible, one is may ask? Well, for one, cadavers do not have to do much more than lie around while they are manipulated by the living. They just lie there and regard researchers with nonjudgmental gazes while they are used in all sorts of manners to better understand the human body.  Cadavers are used by medical doctors to perfect techniques, to better understand decomposition, and to better understand forensic applications, but these are the blander uses for cadavers. The cadavers that really get to experience a new life are those who are used as crash test dummies. It seems weird to use human bodies as crash test dummies, but through their enthusiastic devotion to be crashed into concrete walls, they save many lives.   

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Forensic Science 101

Yes, I am studying forensic science. No, you don't understand what I do. Crime Scene Shows that are so popular over the past few years have greatly misled the public about what, those of the criminal justice system, do.

            A man is found dead with a bullet wound in his chest. Who did it? Since there is blood spatter, a gun, and tire depressions at the scene this question is best left for the forensics and investigators. At this stage many people become confused on proper procedures. Many believe that the scene will be investigated by six people, who will collect the evidence, process the evidence at a lab, question the suspects, and arrest the bad guys all in the space of about an hour. I am so sorry to disappoint everyone out there that believes this to be true because it’s not.  Contrary to what many people believe the processing and handling of evidence, the appearance and workings of a corpse, and how forensic evidence is applied to the criminal justice system in order to catch criminals, is not a quick six person job. 

        

1. We have one job. We do not work with guns one minute, blood the next, and then cut up a body.

The processing and handling of scenes and data fall onto the shoulders of a broad group of forensic scientists. First there are those who process and handle a scene, these scientists are known as Crime Scene Investigators(CSI's). They are responsible for collecting and documenting evidence at crime scenes. Collecting this data isn’t always easy. These scientists are the first to the scene, and CSIs see everything. These scientists have to get into the gore at crime scene to collect evidence without destroying the evidence in the process, or losing their lunch for that matter. CSIs collect blood, fingerprints, fibers, and objects connected to crimes that need to be analyzed. Everything that is taken from a scene must be documented, including where it was found, what it is or looks like, and the objects distance from the body or another main stationary object. Everything at a scene will be photographed at least three different times. There can be over a thousand photographs for one crime scene. Depending on what evidence was found, the evidence will then go to a specific scientist to be processed for further analysis. Blood will go to DNA analysts and toxicologists, the DNA analysts will test for DNA matches, while the toxicologists will look for drugs or other abnormal properties in the blood. Fingerprints will go to, big surprise here; fingerprint analysts. These analysts will remove fingerprints from objects, run fingerprints through the system, and compare prints. If a firearm is involved the firearm will go to firearm analysts. These firearm specialists can tell what kind of firearm that was used, where the firearm was bought, where a person was standing when they shot the firearm, and who or what the shooter was aiming for. These are just some of the things and some of the forensic scientists involved in processing data from a crime scene, and as this shows forensics is no, tight nit, six man team. There may be six people in every category involved. Unlike television show processing data in real life takes a lot longer than an hour. Getting this data can take weeks, even months. This is because the test can be very long, and because there is so much evidence to process, due to the large number of scenes and back log.

2. We do not carry a gun as part of our jobs.
3. We are scientists, not a negotiators nor interrogators.
4. My ability to make an arrest is the same as yours; a citizens arrest.
5. Tests take days/weeks/months not minutes.
6. I wish some of the machines that they use were real, unforgettably they are not.
7. Tests offer statistics, not certainty.

I could go on and on, but I will not. But, the next times some one informs you that they are a forensic scientist think twice before saying, "Oh, so your like one of those guys on "CSI" right?" .............. -.- "no"..

Ban Dihydrogen monoxide

This petition is for the complete ban of Dihydrogen monoxide. 

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death. 

Dihydrogen monoxide: 
- is the major component of acid rain 
- contributes to the "greenhouse effect" 
- it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state 
- contributes to erosion 
- accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals 
- may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes 
- has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients 

Despite the dangers, dihydrogen monoxide is often used: 
- as an industrial solvent and coolant. 
- in nuclear power plants. 
- in the production of styrofoam. 
- as a fire retardant. 
- in many forms of cruel animal research. 
- as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products. 

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. 

The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.

This is totally horrible, we can't let people get away with this. We have to join together as one and abolish this threat! Are you with me!

Why We Love Chocolate

CHOCOLATE!!!

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The texture, feel, and smooth richness of chocolate temps us to a level of madness. 

Not finishing a chocolate bar is unheard of.

But why do we constantly fall into such temptation?

Why can we not say no?

It's really quite simple.

Caffeine, theobromine, and other such stimulants.
And scientists at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego believe that chocolate have a similar effect on the brain as marijuana does.
Explains a lot doesn't it?

So the next time you eat chocolate, and feel the rush of serotonin, remember that your not alone.
Many others out there feel the same effects. ;)

Sugar and Chocolate Addiction Cold Hard Truths