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Evidence analysis and processing

Just Using Forensic Art and Anthropology for Identification

September 2022

In episode four of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification Season, Just Science sat down with Katharine Pope, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, Dr. Bruce Anderson, a forensic anthropologist with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, and Joe Mullins, an instructor at the New York Academy of Art, to discuss human identification using forensic anthropology and facial approximations.

Just a Curious Case of Print Persistence

September 2022

In episode two of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification Season, Just Science sat down with Bryan Johnson, the Major Incident Program Manager in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Latent Print Unit, to discuss how postmortem prints can be used to help identify unknown decedents. One of the cheapest, easiest and fastest methods of identifying individuals is through friction ridge prints. However, challenges can arise in cases where trauma or decomposition affect quality of a decedent's hands.

Just Identifying Individuals with Forensic Genetic Genealogy

September 2022

In episode one of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Heather McKiernan, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, and Ashley Rodriguez, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, to discuss the use of forensic genetic genealogy in identifying human remains. Oftentimes unknown human remains are recovered fully or partially skeletonized, with no close biological relatives in CODIS to facilitate identification.

Just Leveraging Databases for Human Identification

September 2022

In episode three of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Lori Bruski and Amy Jenkinson, two research public health analysts at RTI International to discuss inter-agency efforts to compile crime, missing persons and decedent information and comprehensive databases. In the digital age, criminal justice information can be uploaded into databases and organized in a searchable, centralized location, making it more accessible than ever.

Just Footwear Impressions on Fabric

November 2023

In Episode eight of our case study season, Just Science sat down with Brian McVicker, a forensic footwear and tire examiner at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to discuss developing shoe and tire impressions on fabric using ninhydrin. When a victim is stomped or run over the transfer of skin cells onto the inside of the victim's clothing can leave an impression of the shoe or tire that was used.

Just Collecting Fingerprints Without Contact

November 2023

In episode seven of our case Study season Just Science sat down with Ross Krewenka product manager IDEMIA and Mike Ransom, automated print manager for the Michigan State Police, to discuss the development and use cases of contactless fingerprint capture technology. Traditionally, ink and paper are used to capture fingerprints from subjects.

Just Facial Recognition for Forensic Investigations

November 2023

On episode six of our case study season. Just Science sat down with Dr. Richard Vorder Bruegge, senior physical scientist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to discuss how facial recognition technology was used to help identify individuals in photographs and two landmark cases. Many individuals encounter facial recognition technology in their everyday lives, like when they unlock their phones. The same technology can significantly speed up and improve forensic investigations. Listen, along is Dr. Vorder Bruegge describes how pattern based matching is used to compare faces and images.

Just Forensics in the Digital Age

November 2023

In Episode five of our Case Studies season Just Science sat down with Justin Schorr, principal Collision reconstruction engineer, and Tim Primrose, mobile forensic analyst at E.J.S. Associates, Inc., to discuss utilizing digital evidence in real world cases. In the digital age forensic technology has broad applications for investigations from cell phones, social media accounts and car infotainment system data to three dimensional modeling for crime scene reconstruction, technology is becoming a staple in forensics. Listen, as long as Dr.

Just Adding Value Using Voice Identification

October 2023

In episode four of our case study season, Just Science sat down with Josh Yonovitz, expert witness and forensic audio. To discuss the history of utilizing voice identification and investigations and the current state of forensic audio. In the 1960s, voice ID started being used in forensics, but the original voiceprint analysis used was proven to be inaccurate. Nowadays, forensic scientists use a methodology known as oral acoustic speaker identification, which is scientifically accepted but poorly understood.

Just Collecting More Evidence from Cartridge Cases

October 2023

In episode two of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with crime scene technician Brian Turner and Detective Roberto Caceres from the Broward County Sheriff's Office to discuss a new methodology for processing fired cartridge cases. When a cartridge case is recovered from a crime scene, investigators must typically decide whether to swab it for DNA or process it for latent prints.