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JustScience Podcast

A podcast series hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

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

January 2018

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.

Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages).

Investigative DNA Testing Implementation

January 2018

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.

Collaboration in the Fight Against Fentanyl

December 2017

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.

The NC Statewide Medical Examiner System Laboratory Approach

November 2017

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.

The Opioid Overdose Epidemic in America: CDC Response

November 2017

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.

The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker, Part 2

November 2017

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.

The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker, Part 1

November 2017

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.

Strategies & Considerations for Trace Detection of Fentalogs

October 2017

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.

Opioids and Death Investigation: A “Perfect Storm”

October 2017

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.

Opioid Substances: A Threat to Animal Welfare & Safety

August 2017

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.

Stable Isotope Forensics and Unknown Persons Investigations

May 2017

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.

Nerve Agent Uptake and Detection in Human Bone

May 2017

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.

Emerging Forensic Research Series: Forensic Chemistry

April 2017

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.

Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 2

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

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.

Forensic Entomology Overview, Part 2

March 2017

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.

The Poison of a Mother's Love: The Hope Ybarra Investigation of Medical Child Abuse, Part 1

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

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.

Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 3

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

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.

Game Over: The Prosecution of Mell Hall, Part 3

March 2017

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.

Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 2

March 2017

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.

Date Published: December 9, 2025