Notes From the Field

May 9, 2022

Those working in the criminal justice system should always use research and evidence to inform their policies, practices, and work. However, leaders often need to make decisions based on limited information and under unpredictable or even volatile circumstances. Sometimes there simply isn’t research available yet to help inform decisions on emerging issues.

Notes From the Field is not a research-based publication. Instead, it presents lessons learned by law enforcement executives and other on-the-ground leaders, from years of experience and thinking deeply about law enforcement issues.

Read Notes From the Field
Title	Author	Subject	Date
Challenges in Identifying Novel Psychoactive Substances and a Stronger Path Forward	Alex J. Krotulski, Associate Director, Center for Forensic Science Research & Education	Seized drugs	2022-06-11
Multidisciplinary Team Works to Reduce Preventable Deaths of Older Adults	Stacy A. Drake, Ph.D., MPH, RN, AFN-BC, D-ABMDI, FAAN	Elder abuse/death investigation	2022-05-09
Applying Modern Investigation Methods to Solve Cold Cases	Detective Lt. Jason Moran, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Special Victims/Forensic Services Unit	Cold cases	2022-03-17
Using Forensic Intelligence Analysts to Drive Gun Crime Investigations	Stephanie Stoiloff, Commander, Forensic Services Bureau, Miami-Dade Police Department; Yaneisy Delgado, Intelligence Analyst; Gabriel Hernandez, Forensic Laboratory Manager	Forensic intelligence	2021-06-07
Providing Reliable Interoperability for First Responders	Charlie Guddemi, Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency	Communications technology	2021-03-15
Caution is Necessary When Expanding Field Testing Capabilities	Peter Stout, CEO and President, Houston Forensic Science Center	Seized drugs	2021-01-05
Improving the Analysis and Collection of Trace Evidence Samples	Edward “Chip” Pollock, Laboratory Director, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Laboratory of Forensic Services	Trace evidence	2020-11-02
Efficient Casework Policy To Address Emerging Challenges in Seized Drugs	Jeremy Triplett, Laboratory Manager, Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory	Seized drugs	2020-09-30
Reducing the Need for Victim Testimony in Human Trafficking Cases	Detective Joseph M. Scaramucci, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office	Human trafficking	2020-06-25
Emphasizing a Victim-Centered Approach in Human Trafficking Prosecutions	Lara Mullin, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Denver District Attorney’s Office	Human trafficking	2020-05-01
Navigating the Wild Wild West of Emerging Technologies for Public Safety	Red Grasso, Director, North Carolina First Responder Emerging Technologies Program	Communications technology	2020-04-20
Collaboration is Key in Human Trafficking Investigations	Theresa Nietzel, Human Trafficking Investigator, Erie County, New York, Sheriff’s Office	Human trafficking	2020-03-27
The Importance of Community Policing in Preventing Terrorism	Frank Straub, Director of the Center for Mass Violence Response Studies, National Police Foundation	Terrorism	2020-03-03
Using Evidence-Based Policing To Combat Violent Crime	Sgt. Matthew Barter, Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department	Evidence-based practice	2020-02-27
Proper Planning Is Critical for School Safety	Kathy Martinez-Prather, Director, Texas School Safety Center	School Safety	2020-02-20
How Grantsmanship Can Help a Tribal Police Department	Michael W. Weissberg, Administrative Officer, Miccosukee Police Department, Miami, Florida	Tribal Justice	2020-01-07
A Snapshot of the United States Indian Policing Academy	Steven Juneau, Director, United States Indian Policing Academy	Tribal justice	2019-11-22
Solving Missing Persons Cases in Indian Country	Cornelia Perry, Criminal Investigator, Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations	Tribal justice	2019-11-20
The Value of Threat Assessment Teams	Donna Michaelis, Director, Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services	School safety	2019-11-12
Emphasizing Education First in School Policing	Martin Sissac, Chief of Police, Fontana Unified School District	School safety	2019-10-21
Addressing Mental Health Is an Important Factor in Improving School Safety	Christine Harms, Director, Colorado School Safety Resource Center	School safety	2019-10-21
Expanding the DNA Database to Solve Cold Cases	Detective Lindsey Wade	Cold cases	2019-11-12
Expanding the Cold Case Team Beyond Law Enforcement	Sgt. Darrell Price, Cold Case Unit, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.	Cold cases	2019-10-16
A Multijurisdictional Team Moved Cold Cases to the Front Burner	Sally Wolter, Detective, Michigan State Police	Cold cases	2019-12-3
Connection to Combat Terrorism	Chief Kelly Nee, Boston University Police Department	Terrorism	2019-10-16
Maintaining Vigilance to Combat Terrorism	Chief Luther Reynolds, Charleston Police Department	Terrorism	2019-1-16
Leveraging Broadband Communications to Improve Public Safety	Shing Lin, Chief Technology Officer, Harris County Public Safety Technology Services	Communications technology	2019-9-23
Creating the ‘Connected Cop’ Through a Broadband Network	Scott Edson, Executive Director, Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS	Communications technology	2019-12-3
Peer Support: A Valuable Tool in Assisting Mental Health Consumers After a Crisis	Officer Luke Bonkiewicz, Lincoln (Nebraska) Police Department	Evidence-based practice	2019-11-18
In God We Trust, All Others Bring Data	Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, Ph.D., Darien Police Department, Connecticut	Evidence-based practice	2018-9-17
Using Data to Drive Down Traffic Fatalities	Sergeant James Williams, Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee	Evidence-based practice	2019-2-15
Research as Responsible Practice	John Wetzel, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections	Evidence-based practice	2019-2-15
Employing Evidence to Combat Everyday Tragedy	Captain Ken Clary, Iowa State Patrol	Evidence-based practice	2019-2-15
Tackling Gun Violence as a Community Issue	Juan Perez, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department	Gun violence	2019-2-15
Investing in People: Improving Corrections Staff Health and Wellness	Colette Peters, Director, Oregon Department of Corrections	Prison reform	2018-8-28
Reducing Restrictive Housing for Improved Prison Outcomes	Rick Raemisch, Director, Colorado Department of Corrections	Prison reform	2019-2-15
Learning, Intelligence Collection, and Accommodation as a Civil Disturbance Response	Calvin Williams, Chief of Police, Cleveland Division of Police	Civil disturbance	2018-8-28
Communication as a Tool to Prevent and Respond to Civil Disturbance	Dan Flynn, Chief, Marietta Police Department	Civil disturbance	2018-1-29
Intelligence, Communication, and Lots of Resources	Michael Harrison, Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department	Civil disturbance	2018-2-20
A Sensible Response to Civil Disturbance	Kathleen O'Toole, Former Chief, Seattle Police Department	Civil disturbance	2018-3-7
A Three-Part Approach to Civil Disturbance	Commissioner William B. Evans, Boston Police Department	Civil disturbance	2018-2-20
The Medical Examiner's Office as a Focal Point	Dr. Thomas Gilson, Medical Examiner, Cuyahoga County, Ohio	Opioid epidemic	2018-2-20
Police and Population-Level Intervention	Brandon del Pozo, Chief of Police, Burlington, Vermont,	Opioid epidemic	2018-6-13
ODMAP: A Digital Tool to Track and Analyze Overdoses	Jeff Beeson, Deputy Director, Washington/Baltimore HIDTA	Opioid epidemic	2018-5-14
Understanding the Opioid Crisis Through Data and All-Stakeholder Reviews	Mallory O’Brien, Founding Director of the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission	Opioid epidemic	2018-4-3
Lessons Learned From the Front Lines of the Opioid Epidemic	Chief Richard Biehl, Dayton Police Department	Opioid epidemic	2018-4-11

Date Published: May 9, 2022