Crime Scenes to Courtrooms: How Forensic Science Solves Mysteries with Professor Elizabeth Murray

Thank you to everyone who participated in the live chat with Professor Elizabeth A. Murray on Thursday, November 5, 2015. Professor Murray truly enjoyed the chance to connect with her fans and students. In case you didn’t get a chance to participate, we’ve posted the live chat for anyone to read. Thanks again!

Visit Professor Murray's page for a list of her courses!

3rd & 7 37yd

What advances have been made in analyzing cremated remains?

by T. Partington 11/6/2015 12:43:24 AM

Comment ()
Do all major cities have the same forensic labs available to police, etc?

by gene hull 11/6/2015 12:48:13 AM

Comment ()
Trails of Evidence: How Forensic Science Works - Modern Labs | The Great Courses

by Dave Sanders via YouTube 11/6/2015 12:50:15 AM

Comment ()
Can a person with a health care background (such as Nursing) transition into a Forensics career? If so, what degree would they need to attain?

by NinaMae 11/6/2015 12:50:49 AM

Comment ()
Legally can the forensic team or the specific doctors be held accountable for not doing their jobs adequately?

by Melanie 11/6/2015 12:53:32 AM

Comment ()
We've received an abundance of questions for Professor Murray, and she has graciously agreed to answer more of your questions within the next week. We will add them to the chat transcript. Check back here to see additional questions answered.

by TheGreatCourses edited by Dave Sanders 11/6/2015 12:55:01 AM

Comment ()
Thanks for your participation in the chat tonight – I had a good time, and I hope you enjoyed it. If you want to continue the banter, visit my professional Facebook page Dr. Elizabeth Murray, Forensic Anthropologist. www.facebook.com
I typically post about a forensic story or issue at least once a week. Hope to see you there, soon. Take care and thanks again for your support of The Great Courses!

by Elizabeth Murray 11/6/2015 12:55:59 AM

Comment ()
To learn more with Professor Murray, check out her Great Courses and her books!
Professor Murray's most recent book, “Overturning Wrongful Convictions: Science Serving Justice” was published in 2015 and covers the basics of the legal process and how things go wrong, leading to unjust convictions – and what can be done about it. Find it here.
Professor Murray's “Death:
Corpses, Cadavers, and Other Grave Matters” was the first book written for a
young adult audience covering the scientific aspects of death. Find it here.
Professor Murray's second book for young adults is “Forensic Identification: Putting a Name and Face on Death” and covers all facets of the science of human ID – from skin, to teeth and bone, to the molecular level with DNA science. Find it here.

1 of 3

by TheGreatCourses edited by Dave Sanders 11/6/2015 12:56:36 AM

Comment ()
Thank you so much for joining us this evening. A special thank you goes out to Professor Elizabeth Murray for taking the time and providing us with such insightful answers to your questions. We hope you will join us for future chats with our Great Courses instructors.

See Professor Murray's courses here: Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals and Trails of Evidence: How Forensic Science Works.

by TheGreatCourses edited by Dave Sanders 11/6/2015 12:57:14 AM

Comment ()
What do you think of the Missing 411 books by David Paulides? Are the cases in the books part of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System?

by Dennis Tomlinson 11/10/2015 8:54:58 PM

Comment ()
Not all areas of science can be considered equally certain. Do you have a spectrum of topics ranging from "Easy to be absolutely sure" to "on a balance of probabilities, maybe", or the equivalent, and if so, what would they be?

by Alan Rocker 11/10/2015 8:56:05 PM

Comment ()
Mind you, I'm still waiting to buy "forensic history", but in your opinion who was the most likely suspect for Jack the Ripper?

by Cody 11/10/2015 8:56:35 PM

Comment ()
Have you done a lot of criminal forensics in your career?

by Mel 11/10/2015 8:56:57 PM

Comment ()
Where are Psychiatric - Psychological Forensics taught? Also what about profiling of
international leaders? Is this only the work of the CIA?

by Eric 11/10/2015 8:57:15 PM

Comment ()
How accurate is the TV series "Bones" regarding forensics?

by Ron C 11/10/2015 8:57:36 PM

Comment ()
Do you feel that TV programs that solve unbelievably difficult cases in an hour give the public a false sense of the real ability to solve such cases?

by lestahl 11/10/2015 8:57:52 PM

Comment ()
I saw a TV episode on Jack the Ripper stating it was Charles Allen Lechmere, because he was thought to be the first person to discover the Polly Nichols body. Just today there is another new book out claiming it is someone named Francis Thompson. What is your opinion?

by chris 11/10/2015 9:02:49 PM

Comment ()
Care to comment on the Fox Lake situation?

by gina 11/10/2015 9:03:27 PM

Comment ()
Do you think that handwriting analysis is any more accurate than, say, astrology?

by Alan Rocker 11/10/2015 9:04:04 PM

Comment ()
IF Finger print ID is suspect is it because of technique or the actual ID

by gina 11/10/2015 9:06:18 PM

Comment ()
Are DNA results regarded as empirical evidence?

by gene hull 11/10/2015 9:06:52 PM

Comment ()
How accurately can forensics determine time of death?

by kmburley@gmail.com 11/10/2015 9:07:14 PM

Comment ()
What are the most useful kinds of evidence that the layman would be least aware of? What kinds of evidence of evidence are most useful to you in criminal cases?

by jack hautaluoma 11/10/2015 9:07:39 PM

Comment ()
I am interested in learning more about emerging technologies in forensic science; Nanotechnologies and the like. What does the future hold ?

by Bob Smith 11/10/2015 9:08:39 PM

Comment ()
For most ballistics testing, a slug or part of one is needed. What other ways can help trace a weapon or ammunition if all that's present are some bits or pieces of a slug, minus the rifling markings?

by thomas pawlick 11/10/2015 9:09:20 PM

Comment ()
Are there any examples in cases you have been apart of... that were really amazing? That is, with what would seem little to go on... new/advanced forensic science was able to be used to really deduce a whole load of new facts and/or solve a case that really seemed unsolvable otherwise?

by lasloo 11/10/2015 9:09:36 PM

Comment ()
Has touch dna actually been used to free someone?

by T. Partington 11/10/2015 9:10:31 PM

Comment ()
Minimum education to do your work?

by Protrainer 11/10/2015 9:10:51 PM

Comment ()
I have enjoyed both our your courses, and also seeing you on Forensic Files. Are any more of either of these upcoming?

by Milt Collins 11/10/2015 9:15:28 PM

Comment ()
What improvements would you like to see in the pattern evidence fields?

by Matt Redle 11/10/2015 9:16:05 PM

Comment ()
How do investigators avoid cognitive biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring or recency bias in their pursuit of the truth?

by James Meyer 11/10/2015 9:16:25 PM

Comment ()
In a recent crime show, lab testers of a splinter stated that they can determine the species of the tree and the exact tree the splinter came from. Is this possible?

by Judy 11/10/2015 9:19:11 PM

Comment ()
How does forensics play into the rash of shootings and murders by police who shoot to kill as their first step rather than as the last resort? Is there adequate evidence to support proper action against these crimes by law enforcement officers?

by Lawrence Webb 11/10/2015 9:19:33 PM

Comment ()
Do you think 'shows' such as CSI help the public view of forensic science or hurt.

by Lea 11/10/2015 9:20:04 PM

Comment ()
Does this type of showings increase the criminal mind's way of covering up evidence possibilities?

by Carolyn Carruth 11/10/2015 9:20:37 PM

Comment ()
Outside of DNA have there been any improvements in the way way we can evaluate evidence?

by Bob 11/10/2015 9:21:26 PM

Comment ()
Why are lie detectors still used in many venues?

by Eric 11/10/2015 9:21:40 PM

Comment ()
Is DNA always infallible proof of guilt or innocence?

by Anne 11/10/2015 9:22:01 PM

Comment ()
Your view of the program CSI Miami

by Terrence Lenahan 11/10/2015 9:22:12 PM

Comment ()
At any time in her career did Dr. Murray encounter the work of Sir Bernard Spillsbury a great British ME in the early to mid 1900s...if so was there any case that made her say "Wow!!!" M.P. Robinson

by mrobinsp@shaw.ca 11/10/2015 9:22:29 PM

Comment ()
Where can I get the photo processing software they use on NCIS? If only Photoshop was that Good!

by Where can I get the photo... 11/10/2015 9:23:04 PM

Comment ()
RE: Lecture 24 "The Past, Present, and Future of Forensics"

The United States and Europe are currently funding human brain research (US Brain Initiative, EU Brain Project). In a broad sense, we may be able to 'read' minds fairly soon through brain imaging, meaning we will have highly accurate polygraph testing. It looks like they will be able to distinguish between a reliable memory and a fabricated memory where the brain fills in the blanks. In fact, DARPA is even working on projects to restore lost memories. Is it too early -- or too expensive -- for forensic science to take live brain imaging projects seriously yet?

by Bradley Steeg 11/10/2015 9:23:20 PM

Comment ()
I take it you know Kathy Reichs? Forensic pathology seems to attract female practitioners; don't you find it gross?

by Alan Rocker 11/10/2015 9:23:49 PM

Comment ()