The NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted the JustScience podcast from 2017 to 2025. NIJ has posted episodes that were released from 2022 and 2025 and will post the remaining episodes over the coming months.
Elemental Analysis of Adhesive Tapes as Forensic Evidence by LA-ICPMS and LIBS
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
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Investigative DNA Testing Implementation
This webinar will discuss the technical and operational aspects of implementing forensic investigative DNA testing. DNA based prediction of physical appearance can provide investigators with useful leads when a DNA profile generates no hits.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 16, 2018.
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A Close Look at 3D Microscopy for Firearms Identification
Firearms identification is undergoing a major change in capability with the adoption of optical topography, which provides a 3D view of the surface of a bullet or cartridge case to capture the full range of subclass and individual characteristics.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 10, 2018.
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Collaboration in the Fight Against Fentanyl
This webinar will identify partnerships and innovative efforts in the whole of government approach to identify and interdict fentanyl analogues, as well as to heighten awareness and strengthen legal mechanisms for dealing with the illicit fentanyl crisis.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 13, 2017.
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DNA Methylation-Based Age Prediction
In this webinar you will discover how multiplex assays targeting CpG sites can be used to predict the age of an individual and determine the body fluid of origin of a sample.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 6, 2017.
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The NC Statewide Medical Examiner System Laboratory Approach
This webinar will focus on the North Carolina Medical Examiner System and the toxicology laboratory that serves the system. Included will be information on the changing landscape of death certification and changes to the laboratory approach to testing.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 21, 2017.
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The Industry’s Role in Responding to the Opioid Crisis
This webinar will describe the role that the reference material manufacturer plays by providing the tools needed to respond to the current opioid epidemic.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 16, 2017.
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The Opioid Overdose Epidemic in America: CDC Response
In this Webinar the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will present an overview of the opioid overdose epidemic and its public health burden, followed by a description of the multi-faceted public health approach.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 14, 2017.
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The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker, Part 2
This webinar will review the history of SNPs as forensic markers and discuss the design and development of large SNP multiplexes for use on massively parallel sequencing platforms for forensic and missing person identification.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 7, 2017.
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The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker, Part 1
This webinar will review the history of SNPs as forensic markers and discuss the design and development of large SNP multiplexes for use on massively parallel sequencing platforms for forensic and missing person identification.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 7, 2017.
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Strategies & Considerations for Trace Detection of Fentalogs
This webinar provides strategies & considerations for the trace detection of fentanyl and its analogs. The focus will be on TD-DART-MS and IMS analysis as well as understanding the fate of fentanyl residues that are exposed to different environments.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 26, 2017.
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Making The Case For Prevention: Fighting The Opioid Epidemic
This webinar focuses on universal and primary prevention efforts to address prescription drug misuse and abuse; and the use of innovative analytic techniques to evaluate their effectiveness.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 18, 2017.
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Opioids and Death Investigation: A “Perfect Storm”
The scope of the opioid epidemic presents unprecedented challenges to the medical examiner and coroner community. This webinar will explore the intersection of the opioid epidemic with the work of America’s medical examiners and coroners.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 18, 2017.
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Opioid Substances: A Threat to Animal Welfare & Safety
The opioid crisis has impacted animal welfare and safety several ways. This webinar will review risks to pets of opioid abusers and working K9s and will make recommendations to help keep K9s safe, including risk mitigation and emergency preparation.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 8, 2017.
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Fentalogs: Pharmacology, Toxicology
We will review the chemistry of fentanyl, its analogs and precursors, their pharmacology and relative potency, and approaches to identifying novel fentanyl analogs in forensic toxicology casework.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 8, 2017.
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Opioids and the Drain on Laboratory Resources
This webinar uses data from Project FORESIGHT to examine the effects of the opioid crisis on the demands for laboratory resources and the direct and indirect effects on the work of forensic laboratories.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 2, 2017.
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Stable Isotope Forensics and Unknown Persons Investigations
This webinar discusses applications of stable isotope analysis for predicting region of origin of unidentified border crossers found within the United States. Participants will understand the applications and limitations of stable isotope analysis.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 24, 2017.
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Nerve Agent Uptake and Detection in Human Bone
This presentation discusses experimental tests of a model for drug uptake by human bone and explores how the results may be applied to detect nerve agent exposure from human remains recovered from mass graves during human rights investigations.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 9, 2017.
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Emerging Forensic Research Series: Forensic Chemistry
Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National Academies of Science report “Strengthening Forensic Sciences in the United States: A Path Forward."
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 4, 2019.
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Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 2
These presentations highlight specific case studies from a pathologist’s perspective. Jamie Downs, M.D., discussed several topics, including best practices for identifying child abuse and the difference between manner of death and cause of death.
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Forensic Entomology Overview, Part 2
Entomology has a multitude of uses when it comes to forensic investigation. Whether investigators are estimating post-mortem interval or trying to understand damage dealt to a corpse after death, insects and their behaviors may provide clues or missing information. In this presentation, Neal Haskell, Ph.D., discussed specific case studies and how forensic entomology aided these investigations.
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The Poison of a Mother's Love: The Hope Ybarra Investigation of Medical Child Abuse, Part 1
Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is rare but debilitating for both the parent and the victim. Due to its rarity, investigating and proving the existence of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is exceptionally difficult. In this presentation, Mike Weber of the Tarrant County, TX, District Attorney’s Office explained how he collected evidence for the case of Hope Ybarra.
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Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 3
These presentations highlight specific case studies from a pathologist’s perspective. Jamie Downs, M.D., discussed several topics, including best practices for identifying child abuse and the difference between manner of death and cause of death.
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Game Over: The Prosecution of Mell Hall, Part 3
Former Major League Baseball player Mel Hall is known for many things, but his athletic career is shadowed by a severe crime: preying on underage girls. In 2009, Hall was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. In this presentation, survivor Chaz discussed her personal story and the methods Hall used to manipulate her family into trusting him.
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Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 2
The elderly and those living with special needs are two of the most vulnerable populations in our society. As such, additional care and knowledge is necessary to investigate these cases. Jamie Downs, M.D., provided detailed case studies, best practices for investigating these cases, and other noteworthy topics in this presentation.
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