TECHBeat, January 2018

• NCJ Number: 251508
• Date Published: January 2018
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-K404
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: A proposal to operate the National Criminal Justice Technology Resource Center.

Annotation

This issue contains feature articles on a forum that showcased Rapid DNA technology; a comic book created by a police officer that can accompany the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum (Gang Resistance and Education Training), and a program that trains school administrators and staff to use naloxone kits.

Abstract

"Rapid DNA Forum Showcases the Technology" reviews the proceedings of a 3-day forum held in August 2017, which assembled representatives of law enforcement, various federal agencies, The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and vendors. The two commercial vendors presented their Rapid DNA technologies, including time for hands-on demonstrations. Participants exchanged perspectives on the technology and the various ways in which it could be used. "Officer Creates Comic to Help Students Make Good Choices" describes the features of a comic book created, written, and drawn by a police officer in Clarksville, Tennessee to illustrate how heroes are needed when gangs threaten a community. The comic book themes reflect the lessons that compose the curriculum of the Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program. G.R.E.A.T. focuses on the consequences of making bad choices related to gang involvement. "Michigan School Introduces Naloxone Kits, Training" describes the features of a training program for administrators and staff in high schools and middle schools in Gaylord, Michigan. The training concerns how and when to use naloxone kits, which are available in the school offices. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The free naloxone kits are supplied to the schools through a partnership between a pharmaceutical company and a national foundation. The district school safety committee made the decision earlier in 2017 to implement the project for the 2017-2018 school year. This issue of TECHBeat also has the regular feature sections on technology uses in criminal justice and public-safety technology in the news.