In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I unpack what “intelligence” actually means—and why the term has become dangerously imprecise in the age of artificial intelligence. Drawing from anthropology and psychology, I revisit how intelligence has traditionally been defined: not as output, speed, or fluency, but as the capacity to learn from experience and adapt to real environments over time.

Using insights from Frans de Waal’s work on animal cognition, Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, and Robert Sternberg’s adaptive model of intelligence, this episode contrasts embodied, affective, and socially grounded intelligence with the statistical learning of contemporary AI systems. The discussion clarifies why pattern prediction, no matter how impressive, is not the same as intelligence—and why confusing the two carries real risks for trust, responsibility, and decision-making.

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#TheForensicLens #Intelligence #ArtificialIntelligence #Anthropology #Psychology #BioculturalAnthropology #CognitiveScience #AIandSociety

In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I examine a persistent structural problem in Philippine forensic science education: the widening gap between what universities prepare students for and what operational forensic agencies are realistically designed to provide. Drawing from years of teaching, mentorship, and professional experience in the Philippines, the UK, and Australia, I discuss why many forensic science students reach their final years academically prepared—yet struggle to secure the internship placements required to complete their training on time.

This episode looks at the limits of operational agencies as training environments, the consequences of expanding forensic degree programs without parallel instructional infrastructure, and why forensic science cannot be taught by separating scientific technique from legal responsibility. More importantly, it asks what sustainable, purpose-built training systems might look like if the discipline is to mature responsibly in the Philippine context.

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This episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast examines a homicide case from Camarines Norte that briefly captured public attention for its shocking imagery—but was ultimately solved through something far less dramatic: methodical forensic thinking. Moving beyond spectacle, I unpack how ordinary tools like retail barcodes, CCTV footage, and contextual background information were used patiently and correctly to reconstruct sequence, establish convergence, and close in on the truth. This is a reminder of what real forensic work looks like when the basics are done well—quiet, disciplined, and grounded in evidence rather than theatrics.

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As a new year begins, this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast turns to an unexpected subject: music—and what listening habits reveal about the human brain. Drawing from neuroscience, evolutionary theory, and personal reflection, I explore how music evolved as cognitive infrastructure, why unfamiliar sounds activate learning and neuroplasticity, and how novelty in listening keeps the brain flexible, curious, and socially attuned. In an age of algorithmic repetition, choosing new music becomes a quiet act of cognitive and cultural resistance—one that keeps both our brains and our empathy moving forward.

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#TheForensicLens #BiologicalAnthropology #Neuroscience #MusicAndTheBrain #HumanEvolution

From fingerprints recovered on fired bullets to AI-assisted autopsies, 2025 was a year of remarkable breakthroughs in forensic science. Yet while the world raced ahead, the Philippines was still arguing over PPE and chain of custody. In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I explore how global innovation reshaped DNA analysis, ballistics, and digital forensics—and why our own systems remain trapped at the starting line. The future of forensics has arrived; the question is whether we’re ready to catch up.

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Why do our brains differ—and what does culture have to do with it? In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I explore new research showing how the human brain rewires at four key stages of life—around ages 9, 32, 66, and 83—and how gender, stress, and culture shape those changes. From hormones to classrooms, parenting to aging, our neural wiring is a biography written by both biology and society. The brain is not fixed—it is biocultural, adapting as our lives unfold.

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#TheForensicLens #BiologicalAnthropology #HumanBiology #Neuroscience #BioculturalAnthropology

Humans evolved under open skies and natural rhythms—but now spend 93% of life indoors, breathing filtered air and surrounded by synthetic materials. In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I explore new research suggesting that our modern, industrial environment is outpacing our ability to adapt. From falling fertility rates to weakened immunity and cognitive strain, we may be witnessing an evolutionary mismatch between our biology and the world we’ve built. The question is no longer how fast we can advance—but whether our bodies can keep up.

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#TheForensicLens #BiologicalAnthropology #HumanEvolution #EnvironmentalHealth #HumanBiology

At Uganda’s Ngamba Island Sanctuary, chimpanzees were given clues to find hidden fruit—and when stronger evidence appeared, they changed their minds. In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I explore what this tells us about belief, bias, and the biology of reasoning. If chimps can update their conclusions when the facts change, why can’t we? From evolution to culture, this episode examines why rationality is not just human—and why evidence, not ego, should guide how we think.

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#TheForensicLens #BiologicalAnthropology #CognitiveScience #BeliefRevision #HumanBehavior