Dec 8 - Walter F. Rowe, PhD - It Came From the Genetics Lab: DNA, the Monster That Ate Forensic Science

Saturday, Dec 8, 2012, 1:30 pm
National Science Foundation
Room 110
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map]

In the 1980s all was serene in the field of forensic science. Fingerprinting and dental records were the accepted methods of personal identification. Forensic serologists could identify a number of genetic markers in dried blood and body fluids. The identification sciences (questioned documents, firearm and tool mark identification, shoe and tire track identification) were readily accepted by courts. Few scientists envisioned that it would be possible to isolate human DNA from dried stains that were months or years old. However, within less than a quarter of a century forensic DNA profiling had become the gold standard against which all

other forensic disciplines are measured (and not always to their benefit).

This talk will examine the current state of forensic DNA profiling and ongoing research in this area. It will also explore the profound impact of DNA profiling on the criminal justice system, crime scene processing, the criminal investigative process and other branches of forensic science. The talk will also address some myths about DNA profiling and the personal information that it supposedly discloses.

FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members.

Refreshments and socializing after the talk.

Shadow of a Doubt - December 2012

The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics

• NCAS Public Lecture Series - It Came From the Genetics Lab: DNA, the Monster That Ate Forensic Science - Walter F. Rowe, PhD
• Paul Kurtz (1925-2012)
• January NCAS Lecture
• Torn From Today's Headlines by Scott Snell - The End is Near...
• ...and a Year-End Roundup
• "World Won't End in 2012" Lifetime Membership!
• Artpocalypse 2012

Nov 10 - Marc Kaufman - Life Beyond Earth: The Search is On, and the Results are Tantalizing

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012, 1:30 pm
National Science Foundation
Room 110
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map]

Since the earliest days, humans have looked up to the skies and thought they saw life. It may have been in the form of gods and angels, djinns and flying saucers, but virtually all societies have projected life onto the heavens.

Those understandings were grounded in belief, but now science is taking the search for extraterrestrial life to a new level. The science of astrobiology is booming, and scientists from disciplines ranging from microbiology to chemistry, astronomy to cosmology are involved in what some have called the biggest scientific prize (and challenge) of the century.

Marc Kaufman, a science writer for The Washington Post, will explore the many ways that researchers are trying to understand what life beyond Earth might be like, where it might be found, how it might be found, and whether intelligent life is even possible (likely?).

Kaufman is currently researching his upcoming National Geographic book, covering the first year and a half of the travels of the Mars rover Curiosity. His most recent book, First Contact: Scientific Breakthroughs in the Hunt for Life Beyond Earth, will be available for sale and signing after the lecture.


FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members.
Refreshments and socializing after the talk.

Shadow of a Doubt - November 2012

The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics

• NCAS Public Lecture Series - Life Beyond Earth: The Search is On, and the Results are Tantalizing - Marc Kaufman
• Torn From Today's Headlines By Scott Snell - Who Will be the Next US President?  Look Not to the Crystal Ball or Tea Leaves, but to the Redskins Box Score
• "World Won't End in 2012" Lifetime Membership!
• Artpocalypse 2012
• Drinking Skeptically, now in MD and  VA! - Wednesday, November 14

Oct 13 - John B. Carlson - 2012 Apocalypse and the Maya Calendar

Saturday, Oct 13, 2012, 1:30pm
Bethesda Regional Library
7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map]

What started the torrent of books, magazine articles, television documentaries, and web sites claiming that the world will end on December 21, 2012? (Peter Gersten of Arizona goes so far as to say that he's going to jump off of a cliff in Sedona that day, enter a portal to the Galactic center, and "[neutralize] the silicon-based memetic virus that has corrupted this simulation.") How did this "mash-up" of the Maya calendar and astronomical events (or non-events) come about?

Archaeoastronomer John B. Carlson, Ph.D. will discuss the "2012 Phenomenon," separate fact from fiction about the Maya calendar, and critically examine the apocalypse claims.

Dr. Carlson is Director of the Center for Archaeoastronomy and Senior Lecturer at University Honors College, University of Maryland, College Park. He is also editor of the journal Archaeoastronomy.

Volume XXIV of the journal is a special issue devoted to "The Maya Calendar and 2012 Phenomenon Studies." Information on obtaining individual copies of the issue will be available at the event.

FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members. Refreshments and socializing after the talk.

Free limited parking is available. The Bethesda Library is Metro accessible.