Affiliate News

“Forensic science and new technology continue to assist with cold case investigations and to provide answers to families who have waited decades for information and some kind of closure. This is very important work done by dedicated law enforcement and forensic science professionals.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona CALAVERAS COUNTY – On April 10, 2025, the […]

“CSLEA is proud of the continuous work that California DOJ criminalists do in labs throughout California to assist with identifying suspects by processing DNA and developing DNA profiles.  This work is a valuable part of investigations by law enforcement, and criminal justice.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona SANTA CRUZ COUNTY – On April 3, 2025, The […]

California DOJ criminalists assisted with forensics “Thank you to California DOJ criminalists who work in labs throughout California to assist with identifying possible suspects through forensic science, processing evidence and testifying in court.  They are true partners in the criminal justice system.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona TULARE COUNTY – On March 20, 2025, Elijah […]

California DOJ criminalist testifies at trial SOLANO COUNTY – On March 20, 2025, a jury in Solano County found guilty, a man accused of killing a 14-year-old girl in Vacaville 42 years ago. Marvin Ray Markle, 59, was convicted of first- degree murder for taking the life of De Anna Lynn Johnson on November 15, […]

California Department of Justice forensic crime lab assisted with evidence UKIAH- On March 4, 2025, a Mendocino County Superior Court jury found Pedro Reynaga Gonzalez, 42, of Ukiah, guilty of misdemeanor driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and misdemeanor driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol .08 or greater for driving […]

“California DOJ criminalists are called upon, sometimes in the middle of the night, to assist with crime scenes and officer-involved shooting investigations.  We very much appreciate their dedication to assisting law enforcement with these investigations by processing scenes and evidence.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona BUTTE COUNTY – On March 3, 2025, the Butte County District […]

On February 28, 2025, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office announced, that after more than 36 years, the victim of a 1988 homicide case in Quincy has been identified as Paul Richard Davis.

“The criminalists at California DOJ conduct forensic work that greatly assists with public safety.  We are grateful to their contributions to keeping the public safe from harm.” –CSLEA President Alan Barcelona MODESTO – On February 11, 2024, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office issued a community alert regarding seized fentanyl that criminalists at the California […]

PLACER COUNTY – On February 10, 2025, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced the identity of human remains found in 1990 as Wendy Abrams-Nishikai. Abrams-Nishikai was last seen on October 31st, 1989, at the age of 21. Her remains were discovered off an embankment on Yankee Jims Road in Colfax, and had remained unidentified for […]

Loma Rica man found guilty “The actions of this defendant and details presented in this trial will likely sicken, and/or haunt, all those who had to investigate, examine and/or listen to the evidence and testimony.  We are grateful to those who were a part of coming to the rescue this child and protecting her from […]

“Science and technology are assisting investigators with cold cases that remained open for years.  We owe a great deal of gratitude to those who work in forensic science and genealogy.  This is leading to answers for families as well as investigators.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona CALAVERAS COUNTY – On January 23, 2025, the Calaveras County […]

California DOJ Criminalists assisted with firearm and shell casing analysis “The work done by California DOJ criminalists is of great assistance to police investigations and the prosecution of suspects accused of crimes big and small.  California DOJ criminalists are true partners in public safety and criminal justice.  We thank them for their service to the […]

“It’s just a matter of time now before investigators have answers to their cold cases thanks the work of intelligent forensic scientists who are working with new technology to solve cases, including the identity of Jane and John Does. We thank the criminalists at the California Department of Justice for the incredibly valuable work that […]

UKIAH- On November 14, 2024, a Mendocino County Superior Court jury found Clayton Joel Sternick, 44, of Willits, guilty of misdemeanor driving a motor vehicle while unlawfully under the influence of a drug, driving on a suspended license, and hit-and-run driving. After the jury was excused, Sternick admitted as true that he had also previously […]

“DNA evidence and new technology is leading investigators to answers in cold cases that have gone unsolved, in this case, for 45 years!  Thank you to criminalists at California DOJ who work to evaluate evidence and provide answers for law enforcement.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona RIVERSIDE COUNTY –On November 20, 2024, the Riverside County District […]

HUMBOLDT COUNTY – On November 14, 2024, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) notified the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) that it had linked a bone discovered in the Redway area of Humbolt County back in July to a person missing since 2017. When the bone was discovered in July 2024, HCSO conducted a search […]

DA recognizes CSLEA Member Richard Johnson from the California Department of Justice for his “invaluable investigative work” “We are very proud of our CSLEA members who work in forensics at the California Department of Justice as they assist prosecutors with their cases.  Their work is the, often times, unseen layer in public safety and criminal […]

California DOJ criminalists assisted with cold case investigation MONTEREY COUNTY – On October 17, 2024, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Pamela Ferreyra, 60, of Watsonville, in connection with the death of a baby boy found dead in a bag on December 3, 1994. The baby was discovered by someone searching for […]