The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "DNA" ...
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Fishy Business
Boston Globe reporters Jenn Abelson and Beth Daley captured the attention of consumers across the nation with their 2011 “Fishy Business” series, which revealed widespread mislabeling of seafood at restaurants. DNA testing commissioned by the Globe showed diners frequently – and unwittingly -- overpaid for less desirable species. In 2012, the Globe produced two more “Fishy Business” installments to expand and follow up on the initial investigation. First, Abelson spent several months examining how fish processors add water to seafood to increase profits. The Globe hired an independent lab to conduct an analysis of 43 fish samples collected from supermarkets across Massachusetts. The results, presented in a multimedia package in September 2012, showed consumers often pay for excess water when they buy scallops and frozen fish. About 1 in 5 of the samples weighed less than what was stated on packages. The testing also showed 66 percent of the fish from one supplier had too much ice. The Globe also wanted to verify restaurants and wholesalers had changed their ways following the newspaper’s 2011 investigation and resulting calls for reform. Daley and Abelson returned to 58 restaurants that served the wrong fish in 2011 to collect new samples. DNA tests showed 76 percent did not match what restaurants advertised on their menus. The resulting third installment of “Fishy Business,” published in December 2012, detailed these findings. In addition, Abelson and Daley explained how accountability is lost in the fish supply chain by investigating a major wholesaler that provided mislabeled fish to some of the region’s best-known restaurants.
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Fishy Business
The reporters combined old-fashioned reporting with innovative DNA technlogy to investigate the process of fish mislabeling in Massachusetts. The results were astonishing - 48 percent of the samples were not what they were advertised to be. The Globe reported that consumers are routinely and unwittingly overpaying for less desirable -- sometimes undesirable -- species.
Tags: fish; DNA; mislabeling; unsafe
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Mother's Day Murder
The story provides a complete picture of what happened in a Mother's Day murder case.
Tags: murder; Mother's Day; evidence; DNA testing
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Wrongfully Convicted
The stories of Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer, two Mississippi men who spent a combined 30 years in prison wrongfully charged with sexually assaulting and killing two 3-year old girls. The were exonerated through DNA evidence in 2008.
Tags: DNA; sex crime; wrongful conviction; murder; exoneration;
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DNA Deception
When state health officials were sued for storing infant blood samples without parental consent, they said it was for medical research. The Tribune shows that these health officials were also turning over hundreds of dried blood samples to the federal government without informing the public.
Tags: medical research; DNA; blood samples; health officials; public
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The Second Rape
This is the story about two young rape victims in athe small town of Bjasta in the norther part of Sweden. Although the rapist was convicted, people in the town began to blame the victims. Despite DNA-evidence, almost everyone thinks that the girls are lying.
Tags: rape; criminal conviction; sexual assault
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Freedom for Anthony Caravella
This series is an investigation of the conviction of Anthony Caravella and potentially how it was flawed. He was convicted of rape and murder, without proper DNA testing and a biased prosecutor. Eventually, the investigation led to his release, but now he is faced with a number of challenges. Also, an investigation was launched on the prosecutor, who wrongly convicted four other people of murder.
Tags: court; judge; jury; genetic testing; Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); prison; prisoner; law enforcement; confession
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Freed Without the Possibility of Life
A man, who was wrongly imprisoned, was freed from prison after a DNA test revealed he wasn’t the murderer. Though, he was freed the murder conviction has never been cleared from his record. This makes him unable to get a job and live a normal life. The prosecutor and the court can legally choose to never clear his name because it is not a legal requirement.
Tags: David Scott; sentence; jail; law enforcement; arrest; Vigo County; Indiana State Police; case; evidence
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"Losing 'Letta"
A sloppy police investigation led to a mother waiting 27 painful years for her daughter's remains to be identified. The girl was 12 when she disappeared from her Little Rock home. A girl's remains were located in 1991, but DNA testing did not reveal a match. In 2009, a retest was done after "prodding" from reporters. This time, the test revealed a match and the child's case was ruled a homicide.
Tags: Little Rock; DNA test; Arkansas Crime Lab; FBI
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Weapon of Choice
This series investigates the United States military's use of depleted uranium. The series reveals that some "54,567 soldiers said they had been exposed to depleted uranium sometimes or often". The symptoms of those exposed to this are vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and overall feelings of weakness. Furthermore, it has been known to bind to DNA, which can cause mutations and cell death.
Tags: contamination; battlegrounds; Department of Defense; soldiers; military; FOIA; damages; harm; medical; health