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Topic: Forensic sciences,
Subtopic: Forensic sciences

Just Higher Education and the CSI Effect

May 2022

In episode two of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sarah Williams, a Research Associate Professor in Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Keith Morris, a Ming Hsieh Distinguished Teaching Professor of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University, to discuss undergraduate master's and doctorate programs in forensic science. This season, Just Science will explore a variety of forensic science programs and the growing need for more doctoral programs.

Just FEPAC Accreditation and Forensic Chemistry Programs

May 2022

In episode one of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Jose Almirall, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida International University, and Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, Professor and Chair of the Forensic Science Department at Sam Houston State University, to discuss the inception of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, also known as FEPAC and chemistry programs in forensic science.

Terrestrial LiDAR Scanners: Guidelines for Use in Criminal Justice Applications

May 2022

The National Institute of Justice’s Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning (TLS) Working Group was convened to create consensus-based best practices that standardize and improve the use of TLS in criminal justice applications. This webinar is intended to serve as a general overview of the technology, its use in scene documentation and reconstruction, and key takeaways of the resulting best practice guidelines.

This webinar was hosted by the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on  May 3, 2022.

Just Trauma-Informed Approaches and Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations

April 2022

In the final episode of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, a sexual assault survivor, advocate, author, and founder of Natasha's Justice Project, to discuss advocacy for vulnerable populations and trauma-informed approaches to sexual assault. As a sexual assault survivor and advocate, Natasha Alexenko has dedicated her career to improving the lives of sexual assault survivors. She has worked both nationally and internationally to discuss past, present, and future directions for an improved response to sexual assault.

Trauma Informed Investigations for Sexual Assault Cases

April 2022

This webinar will highlight the importance of conducting a victim-centered, trauma-informed investigative interview for sexual assault cases. Trauma-informed investigative interviews lay the foundation for improved victim engagement with the criminal justice system and increased ability to resolve sexual assault cases.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 26, 2022

Just Research on Anonymous and Unreported Sexual Assault Cases

April 2022

In episode four of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachael Goodman-Williams, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Wichita State University, and Dr. Jessica Volz, Clinical Director of Forensics at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, to discuss why survivors sometimes choose not to report their sexual assault. After receiving medical care and undergoing forensic evidence collection following a sexual assault, some survivors choose to forgo filing a report with law enforcement. Dr. Rachael Goodman-Williams and Dr.

Just Trauma-Informed Patient Interviewing and Prevalence of Strangulation

April 2022

In episode three of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Kelly Taylor, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, also known as a SANE, Sexual Assault Care Coordinator, and Forensic Healthcare Program Manager, to discuss trauma-informed support for sexual assault survivors and the prevalence of strangulation in sexual assault cases. Trauma-informed victim centered expertise and support from sexual assault nurse examiners is crucial to providing appropriate medical attention and helping a survivor heal.

Pandemic Impacts in the Workplace: Employee Wellness, Returning to the Office, and Remote Testimony

April 2022

This webinar discusses the impact that the pandemic has had on the physical and emotional wellness of employees in the laboratory setting and will focus on personnel issues that workplaces may experience following the pandemic. Topics that will be covered include supervising employees working in a remote environment, implementing hybrid working programs, and bringing employees back into the office.

Just Research of Dating Apps and Violent Sexual Assault Cases

April 2022

In episode two of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, a researcher, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, and Associate Dean of Brigham Young University's College of Nursing, to discuss sexual assault cases involving strangulation and dating apps. While working as a sexual assault nurse examiner, Dr. Valentine and colleagues noticed an increase in survivors reporting violent sexual assaults that occurred after meeting someone through a dating app.

Legalization of Marijuana: The Journey of Marijuana Laws in Colorado and Ohio

April 2022

This webinar will focus on the journey through medical marijuana and the decriminalization of hemp with legalization on the horizon in the state of Ohio. We will also focus on the impact that legalization has made in the state of Colorado over the past 10 years. The journey between these two states will demonstrate the challenges and needs for a shift in the analytical approach.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 5, 2022, as part of the ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series.

Application of the OSAC Registry of Standards to Forensic Science Service Providers’ Quality Systems

March 2022

The NIST Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science advances the mission of strengthening forensic practice by facilitating the development of technically sound, science-based standards through a formal standard developing organization (SDO) process. Although, there are numerous challenges facing laboratory managers in implementing standards, OSAC has observed scores of forensic science service providers implement standards listed on the OSAC Registry and has gathered helpful guidance from the experiences of those laboratories.

Seized Drugs and Toxicology Research and Development; 2022 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

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. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.

Presentations include - 

Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence Research and Development: 2022 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

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. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.

Presentations include -

Forensic Anthropology, Pathology, Entomology, & Microbial Forensics; NIJ 2022 Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

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. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.
Presentations include -

Just a Trauma-Informed Response to At-Home Sexual Assault Kits

February 2022

In the final episode of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Lieutenant Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss at-home sexual assault kits through a victim-centered lens. Throughout this season, Just Science has spoken with various subject matter experts to discuss several perspectives posed by the use of at-home sexual assault evidence collection kits.

Just a Prosecutor’s Perspective on At-Home Kits

February 2022

An introductory note for the interview advises that for many survivors of sexual violence, participation in the prosecution of a suspected offender can be a significant step in their healing process. Patti Powers has sought to counter sexual violence for just over 30 years.

Forensic Analysis of Cosmetics

February 2022

This webinar is designed to provide a peek behind the curtain of cosmetics, specifically those applied to the face. The presenter will provide an overview of common cosmetic ingredients, including the typical usage levels and their purpose in these products. The presenter will also discuss various analytical approaches and limitations to the analysis of cosmetic products and their individual components.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 17, 2022. 

Ensuring a Trauma Informed Interview with a Sexual Assault Victim

February 2022

This workshop explores approaches for engaging survivors of sexual assault from a trauma-informed, victim-centered perspective thus supporting recommendations #2 and #22 of the NIJ’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Understanding Sexual Assault Trauma & Considerations for Conducting a Trauma-Informed Interview, Roundtable Discussion

February 2022

This workshop explores approaches for engaging survivors of sexual assault from a trauma-informed, victim-centered perspective thus supporting recommendations #2 and #22 of the NIJ’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

U S National Footwear Database System Feasibility Study

February 2022

The FBI Laboratory conducted a comprehensive study known as the National Footwear Database Evaluation. The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a national footwear database system to generate criminal intelligence for law enforcement and serve as a tool for forensic science researchers. This webinar will highlight the team's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. T

his webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 15, 2022.

Just Analyzing At-Home Kits

February 2022

An introductory note for the interview advises that some of the most challenging cases to investigate involve sexual assault. The forensic evidence in such cases is critical and involves the cooperation of victims. Deputy Chief Mourtgos, who is both a researcher and a veteran police officer experienced in investigating sexual assault cases, discusses investigative issues in sexual assault cases, including the use of at-home sexual assault kits.