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Director La Vigne Discusses Forensic Research and Development at NIJ

February 2023

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.

Going All In – Laboratories with Completely Digital Systems

February 2023

Change can be intimidating and making a transition to a paperless system can be daunting task. This presentation discusses two perspectives on how laboratories embraced technology for administrative and casework processes, the lessons learned, and the vision for additional growth.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 2, 2023. 

NIJ Grantees Archiving Data at Repositories other than NACJD

February 2023
Much data in the natural sciences and engineering are out of scope for NACJD. We require award recipients to archive such data at a repository appropriate to the field of study. Also, be aware that, regardless of the primary data repository used, all NIJ research projects must provide study-level information to NACJD Watch this short orientation for NIJ grantees who will be archiving their data and documentation at data repositories other than NACJD.

Triaging Cases – Case Management and All That Means

January 2023

This webinar presents laboratory managers with a discussion on case management in forensic science laboratories. All forensic science laboratories struggle with caseloads and backlogs in some way and to varying extremes. The answer to this struggle is a process to manage caseloads through evidence triage, case information management, and communication. A discussion on the challenges involved in case management is followed by practical experiences in writing and implementing case management policies.

Maintaining a Positive Quality Culture during Change

January 2023

This webinar shares insight into why it is important to have a positive quality culture within a laboratory. Attendees see how establishing a culture where the proactive pursuit of quality is a positive for a laboratory. When actively pursuing quality, staff will help management navigate and be successful during the time of change. The presentation discusses how change, whether small or large, can be perceived and affect employees differently, and will provide some strategies on how to mitigate the effect change could have on their employees.

National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) Data Deposit System Overview

January 2023

Watch a detailed overview of the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research's (ICPSR) online deposit system and the process for depositing data with National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD). The live demo was recorded in 2018 as part of a NACJD-OJJDP new grantee orientation webinar. The system and process are the same for other NACJD and ICPSR deposits, except that the appropriate archive should be selected when the project page for the deposit is created.

The State of Standard Development & Tools for Assessing and Implementing Standards

January 2023

This webinar introduces attendees to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Registry of Standards, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) on Forensic Science, and the Academy Standards Board (ASB). Attendees learn about forensic science standard development in the national and international space as well as standard implementation tools provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

Age Estimation from the Pubic Symphysis: Back to Basics

January 2023

The pubic symphysis joint on the pubic bone is frequently used in anthropology to estimate age-at-death in late adolescent and adult individuals. This webinar will provide a background on the age indicator, as well as a review of the anatomical features used in the age estimation methods based on this joint. The primary focus of the webinar is to help participants better interpret the written phase descriptions in pubic symphysis age estimation methods.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 11, 2023.

Defining and Studying Elder Abuse Polyvictimization

January 2023

NIJ Social Science Analyst Yunsoo Park shares her knowledge about elder abuse, a widespread issue in the U.S. and around the world, particularly polyvictimization — the experience of a range of different types of abuse and maltreatment. As much as 11% of community-residing older adults experienced some form of abuse or mistreatment in the past year. Yunsoo discusses risk factors, difficulties in defining and studying elder abuse polyvictimization, and strategies for intervention and prevention. Stacy Lee Reynolds, a Communications Assistant with NIJ, hosts.

Digital Caseload Processing with the NIST National Software Reference Library

December 2022

This webinar provides an overview of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Software Reference Library (NSRL) Reference Data Set (RDS). The NSRL hash set changes to a new format beginning March 2023, bringing several new capabilities into the hands of digital evidence practitioners. Examples shown enable the creation of case-specific hash sets and searches for notable files. A new update process is also demonstrated.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 13, 2022.

Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Human Trafficking

December 2022
Human trafficking is an issue without a simple solution, but research on this problem is helping victims and developing tools and information to help better understand, prevent, and respond to trafficking. NIJ Scientist Mary Carlton joins host Josh Mondoro, Communications Assistant at NIJ, for a discussion about this research.

Transition Analysis 3 Age at Death Estimation: Past, Present, and Future

December 2022

The Transition Analysis 3 (TA3) age-at-death estimation method was developed as part of an international research project supported by National Institute of Justice (NIJ) award #2014-DN-BX-K007. This presentation provides a brief history of the TA3 project from its beginnings in the late 1990s to its current status two decades later. Participants learn about the iterative process used to identify traits and develop definitions and are introduced to the TA3 trait manual and generic data collection form.

Audio Forensic Analysis Procedures for User Generated Audio Recordings

November 2022

The widespread use of handheld smartphones and other devices capable of recording audio and video means that user generated recordings (UGRs) are increasingly presented as evidence in criminal investigations. Combined with other recordings from law enforcement systems, home surveillance systems, etc., the availability of UGRs may offer important audio forensic insights. Forensic handling of UGRs requires best practices for assessing authenticity and integrity of the recorded information.

Desistance from Crime: Interventions to Help Promote Desistance and Reduce Recidivism

November 2022

No single criminal justice agency can promote desistance on its own. Partnerships across state, local, and federal agencies — along with the support of family and community stakeholders — are instrumental in supporting desistance from crime and reducing recidivism.

Law enforcement, courts, corrections, and community supervision agencies play a key role in the desistance process and reducing recidivism.

Forensic Fractography of Bone A New Model for Skeletal Trauma Analysis

November 2022

Fractography is a tool for studying material failure. Analysis of cracks and fractures can reveal information about how, why, and where a fracture initiated and how a crack traveled, providing insight into the cause of failure. This webinar provides a basic introduction to forensic fractography of bone, which represents a new model for skeletal trauma that emphasizes understanding the cause of material failure rather than simply classifying fracture patterns.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 2, 2022.

Social Media and Domestic Radicalization

October 2022

Social media has become a potent tool for spreading extremist beliefs and promoting violent extremism. NIJ Social Science analyst Aisha Javed Qureshi joins writer-editor Paul Haskins for a conversation about how scientific research is helping law enforcement and other agencies understand and address this growing concern.

Economic Justice for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

October 2022
Financial abuse is a common strategy used by those who abuse to gain power and control. The first panelist will discuss how intimate partner violence intersects with economic justice. In the second panelist's presentation, intimate partner violence shelter approaches and housing policies will be addressed. The final panelist will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on economic security and survivors’ experiences of economic hardship.

Skeletal Sex Estimation and Practitioner Use of MorphoPASSE final

October 2022

This presentation briefly discusses the current state of skeletal sex estimation in forensic anthropology. The primary focus of this presentation is on the MorphoPASSE: Morphological Pelvis and Skull Sex Estimation database and program for skeletal sex estimation. The presentation details the revised trait descriptions and scoring procedures, with examples, and demonstrates how to use the MorphoPASSE graphical user interface and interpret the output.

To Catch a Drug

October 2022
NIJ communications assistant Josh Mondoro explores novel psychoactive substances with NIJ scientist Frances Scott. She explains what NPSs are, current research in the field, and the practical impact of this research for law enforcement and policymakers.
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