Just Workplace Stress And Its Impact On Decision-making In Forensics
In this episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Mohammed Almazrouei, a forensic practitioner with the Abu Dhabi Police, to discuss his dissertation work, which examines how workplace stressors may affect decision making in the field of forensic science. In their daily jobs, forensic science practitioners are tasked with making countless decisions that can make a large impact on people's lives. As a result of this experience, Dr. Almazrouei conducted a pivotal research study to examine how stress affects the way that forensic practitioners make these important decisions. Listen along as Dr.
Low Prosecution Rates in Sexual Assault Cases: Can We Make Sustainable Improvements?
Dr. Julie L. Valentine provides background information on the challenges in tracking prosecution outcomes in sexual assault cases of adult victims. Research utilizing the National Institute of Justice Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Practitioner Toolkit in two Utah counties is presented. Variables predicting prosecution are be explored. Participants are invited to consider societal, structural, and legislative barriers to prosecution of adult sexual assault cases faced in their jurisdiction to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration.
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Just DNA Searches in CODIS
In episode three of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Orlando Salinas, Lieutenant Trampas Gooding, and Jennifer Pollock from the Texas Department of Public Safety to discuss how statutes regarding lawfully owed DNA and familial DNA searches are utilized in sexual assault investigations. When an unknown DNA profile is found in samples collected within a sexual assault kit, the unknown profile is searched within national DNA databases such as the combined DNA index system, also known as CODIS.
Building More Reliable Forensic Sciences, Part 2
The scientific basis of several aspects of forensic evidence was first called into question by the 2009 National Research Council report. That report had an immediate impact on law enforcement, crime labs, courtrooms, and the broader scientific community.
Touch DNA Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases
Dr. Julie L. Valentine introduces the application of touch DNA in sexual assault cases through a case study. A literature review on touch DNA is summarized to provide contextual information and research on touch DNA analysis findings in groping sexual assault cases is discussed. The webinar concludes with recommendations for multidisciplinary partners to collect, submit, and analyze evidence in sexual assault cases for touch DNA.
This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 18, 2023.
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Solving Violent Crime Through Lawfully Owed DNA: Outcomes of Efforts to Address Missed DNA Samples
This presentation explores the issue of lawfully “owed” DNA, which is a DNA sample from a qualifying offender who should have their DNA sample in CODIS (based on applicable state law), but from whom a sample has never been collected or submitted to a lab for testing.
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Just DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases
In episode one of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, to discuss how large-scale data collection can provide a better understanding of sexual assault cases and improve sexual assault response practices, policy, and education. Throughout her career, Dr. Valentine identified a gap in data driven practices for responding to sexual assault cases. Using her experience providing care to survivors, Dr.
Exploring the Link Between Dating Apps and Sexual Assault
Dr. Julie Valentine shares background information on dating app usage and user demographics to provide context for research findings on dating apps and sexual assault. Research findings are presented on sexual assaults committed at the first in-person meeting when the victim and assailant met on a dating app compared to other sexual assaults not associated with dating apps. Practice and policy recommendations are shared to improve dating app safety.
This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 4, 2023.
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NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne Discusses Evidence-Based Strategies for Successful Reentry
NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne highlights the importance of evidence-based strategies for successful reentry. This strategy emphasizes the need for tailored and holistic support that starts during confinement and continues after release, with a focus on family involvement, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and community supervision.
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Stress, Trauma, and Burnout in Forensic Scientists
The world of forensic science and death investigation is always unpredictable and demanding. Large caseloads, hazardous materials, traumatic evidence, and other complexities related to the job can have a direct effect on staff. Individuals working in this field are continually faced with an incredible amount of grief, sadness, pressure, and stress.
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Building More Reliable Forensic Sciences, Part 1
Bridging Generational Gaps in the Laboratory
This webinar addresses a common cross-cultural issue experienced every day in the crime laboratory and within the greater criminal justice community, the generation gap. Simply defined as the different outlooks or opinions between individuals of different generations, this complex topic can create division within a workforce or, if understood, can elevate personnel to achieve organizational goals.
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Labeling with Love or Lethal Consequences for CBD Containing Products
The reauthorization of hemp due to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) has caused a proliferation of products that contain cannabidiol (CBD). While CBD is considered ‘legal’ under the Farm-Bill, there are concerns that the labeling of CBD products is inaccurate, and that the products may contain other cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. Other concerns include the potential for conversion of CBD to other cannabinoids during analysis of biological matrices and in acidic foods and beverages.
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How to Recruit and Retain Quality Employees
One of the biggest challenges that Forensic Laboratories face is hiring and retaining great employees. The loss of one person has a domino effect on the operations of the laboratory and has a direct impact on the departments they serve. This presentation outlines some of the ways that the Mesa Forensic Services Laboratory and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory Division have been able to hire and retain great employees.
This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 14, 2023.
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A Leg Up: NIJ's Graduate Research Fellowship Program
NIJ Director Dr. Nancy La Vigne joins the show to interview Dr. Marie Garcia, Director of NIJ’s Criminal Justice Systems Division and a former NIJ graduate research fellow. They discuss the application process, Marie’s experience as a fellow while at Temple University, and advice for future applicants.
Reading and Resources from NIJ:
Inclusive Research: Engaging with the People Closest to the Issue
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Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence Research and Development; 2023 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas.
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Welcome to the 2023 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas.
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Forensic Anthropology Research and Development; 2023 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas.
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Director La Vigne Discusses Forensic Research and Development at NIJ
NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne, Ph.D., was interviewed by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Utilizing the "listen, learn, and inform" model is what Nancy La Vigne, the new Director at the National Institute of Justice says will be key in implementing the Forensic Science Strategic Plan. AAFS-TV sits down with La Vigne, fresh in her new role, to discuss how she plans to help researchers and scientists achieve their goals.
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2023 NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium
This symposium was hosted hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 14, 2023.
Presentations include -
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Forensic Toxicology Research and Development; 2023 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas.
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Just DNA Results in Rapid Time
In episode two of our Unidentified Human Remains season, Just Science sat down with Neal Parsons, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, to discuss how rapid DNA analysis has become an important method for identifying unknown human remains, especially in cases of mass fatality. Rapid DNA analysis is a fully automated process of developing DNA profiles without the need for a DNA laboratory or human interpretation.
Just Improved Response to Sexual Assault
In episode two of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, the Associate Dean of the Brigham Young University College of Nursing, to discuss the factors that contribute to low prosecution rates for sexual assault cases. In our last episode, Dr. Valentine highlighted the importance of sexual assault kit submission and DNA evidence as the groundwork for prosecution in sexual assault cases.
Just Certification for Death Investigation
In episode four of our Supporting Medicolegal Death Investigators mini season, Just Science sat down with Bridget Kinnier and Bethany Smith, the President and Executive Director of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, also knows ABMDI, to discuss the importance of standardization and accreditation within the MDI community. Because of the complex and multidisciplinary role of a medicolegal death investigator, it is important that there are national standards of knowledge for those who work in the field.