One challenge for Cook and her team: tracking down the evidence used for these convictions, some of which date back a quarter of a century. Hair comparison evidence was frequently used before DNA testing became standard practice. January 30, 2017 The State of Iowa is getting a $632,000 federal grant to continue a review of convictions in Iowa court...

The Omaha Police Department's Cold Case Unit is a recipient of the 2014 Solving Cold Case with DNA Grant from the National Institute of Justice December 22, 2016 OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - Omaha Police have announced an arrest in a cold case murder from 2012.The Pottawattamie County Sheriff's office arrested 41-year-old Shanna Golyar in the murder of Car...

He said he stole the pills because he became addicted to opioid painkillers after he was prescribed the drugs for painful intestinal disorders. Haugen said the last three and a half years "have been absolute hell," noting addiction affects the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls judgment. December 19, 2016 MASON CITY | A former state ...

"I loved (being an Iowa state trooper)," Haugen said. "It was very rewarding. I loved helping people." Enter Article DATE HERE "Those drugs will hook you and they will suck you right in." FOREST CITY, Iowa -- Michael Haugen has more time these days to reflect on his life as a small-town Iowa boy who grew up to be a proud lawman. "I loved (bein...

Haugen was accused of taking approximately 150 prescription pills from six criminal cases from 2014 to 2016 valued at more than $500. October 6, 2016 MASON CITY — A former Iowa state trooper has admitted to stealing pain pills from the evidence room at the agency's Mason City post and altering documents about the evidence.Michael Haugen, 32, Forest...

Haugen is accused of taking approximately 150 prescription pills from six criminal cases from 2014 to 2016 from the evidence room at the Iowa State Patrol post in Mason City. August 2, 2016 MASON CITY | A former Iowa state trooper accused of stealing drug evidence while stationed at the agency's Mason City post has pleaded not guilty. Michael Hauge...

The review faulted Muir for failing to maintain a secure evidence room - sheriff resigned June 30, 2016 The State Auditor has issued a report raising questions about operations in the Decatur County Sheriff's office. The sheriff abruptly resigned in March amid allegations he had created a hostile work environment. The auditor's review covered the l...

There are at least 3,400 untested rape kits in storage around Iowa, according to new data, and preliminary details indicate law enforcement agencies don't have standardized rules for handling such evidence. June 19, 2016 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - There are at least 3,400 untested rape kits in storage around Iowa, according to new data, and preliminar...

Jun 10, 2016 MASON CITY — A former Iowa State Patrol sergeant who resigned earlier this week was charged Friday with stealing drugs from the Mason City post's evidence room. Michael Haugen, 31, Forest City, was arrested about 10 a.m. Friday for one felony count of falsifying public documents and a misdemeanor charge of third-degree theft. Investiga...

KCRG-TV9, www.kcrg.comBYLINE: Katie Wiedemann, KCRG-TV9Clayton County, IACLAYTON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- The Clayton County Sheriff's Office is looking for some stolen guns and the person who stole them from the Mar-Mac Un...

Link to ArticleOne VideoPleasant Hill, IADan Edwards Will Avoid Prison TimeDES MOINES, Iowa -- A former Pleasant Hill police officer appeared in court Friday morning for sentencing on three charges.Dan Edwards was charged wit...

Targeted News ServicePleasant Hill, IAThe Iowa Department of Public Safety issued the following news release:Today Sergeant Daniel Herbert Edwards, 42, of the Pleasant Hill Police Department turned himself in to the Division ...

DesMoinesRegister.comBYLINE: JASON PULLIAM and TOM ALEX - Hill, IAA Pleasant Hill police officer suspected of stealing drugs from his department's evidence room has been fired.Sgt. Daniel Edwards, 4...

Des Moines RegisterBYLINE: REGISTER STAFF REPORTPleasant Hill, IAA former Pleasant Hill police officer who stole methamphetamine from an evidence room and crashed his squad car pleaded guilty Thursday to drug and burglary cha...

Sioux City Journal, siouxcityjournal.comBYLINE: Dolly A. Butz - to ArticleSioux City, IASioux City Police Department property and evidence clerk Jeff Paulsen is shown through a secure evidence p...

Sioux City Journal, siouxcityjournal.comLink to ArticleSioux City, IAThe Sioux City Police Department's new evidence storage system, which is similar to those used in physicians' offices, will more than double the current cap...

The Hawk Eye, thehawkeye.comBYLINE: JOHN MANGALONZO to ArticleBurlington, IAEvidence technician charged with drug possessionBurlington Police officials are going through every piece of evidence ...

Associated Press, Times-Republican, timesrepublican.comBYLINE: Link to ArticleBurlington, IABURLINGTONBurlington police are reviewing evidence from several pending cases after the department's evidence custodian was arrested ...

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, The Republic (Columbus, IN), therepublic.comMuscatine, IAMUSCATINE, Iowa — A former police officer in Muscatine has pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and second-degree theft.Forty-eight-year old Scott...

The Associated Press State & Local WireSECTION: STATE AND REGIONALMuscatine, IAA former police officer in Muscatine has pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and second-degree theft.Forty-eight-year old Scott Burk was arrested...