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Forensic laboratories

Forensic Science Research Portfolio

NIJ’s Forensic Science Research and Development Portfolio supports foundational and applied research, as well as tool and method development, to improve forensic testing, increase lab efficiency, support technology transition, and strengthen the overall quality and reliability of forensic science.[1]

NIJ’s Forensic Science Research and Development Portfolio addresses the pressing and evolving needs of forensic science practitioners to investigate crime and analyze evidence...

Wellness and Operations, ASCLD Covid 19 Emerging Issues

March 2021

COVID-19 has had an enormous effect on the workforce, and not just in the areas of operations and logistics.  Workplace schedules have been completely rearranged, work-life balance has been turned on its head from telework, and reduced “in lab” hours have caused strain on an already stressed workforce.  In this webinar, you will hear from three experts in workplace wellness, particularly in forensic science.

Remote Work in the Forensic Lab,

March 2021

This webinar will explore some of the key elements that must be considered to successfully implement a Remote Work program in an operational forensic laboratory. Three leaders from County, State and Private labs will share their respective experiences on how to pivot to this new normal in the middle of a pandemic.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 17, 2021.

Successful Onboarding in Crime Laboratories

June 2021

In this webinar, the presenter will cover key components of successful onboarding in a crime lab, including setting employee expectations and making the employee feel like part of the team.  The presenter will go over an onboarding checklist so you can devise one that suits your agency’s needs.  Lastly, the presenter will discuss how successful onboarding can get the new employee “fired up” and increase employee engagement overall.   

Firearms 3D Technology: Advantages & Value for Implementing 3D Technologies

June 2021

This webinar will provide an overview of the validation, implementation of 3D  technology at the FBI Laboratory’s Firearms/Toolmarks Unit. This presentation will highlight the process, including Standard Operating Procedures, laboratory workflow, selection of casework, blind verification, reexamination of casework using light microscopy and Daubert preparation.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 2, 2021, as part of the 2021 ASCLD Train the Director Series.

Developing an Unbiased Laboratory Culture, 2021 ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series

July 2021

This webinar will facilitate a discussion about bias in a crime laboratory including what is bias in forensics, how it can impact your operations, why it is important, and considerations when building this culture. The webinar will include important aspects of an unbiased culture, symptoms that your culture is biased, and examples from the Phoenix Police Department, the Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences, and ICITAP’s.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2021.

Best Practices for Engaging Participants in Video Conferences, 2021 ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series

July 2021

In this webinar, attendees will learn a variety of strategies to keep participants engaged in an online meeting environment. In addition to reviewing these strategies, attendees will also be provided with factors to keep in mind when creating and selecting strategies for engagement. Attendees will also learn about features available in Zoom. T

his webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on July 7, 2021.

Just Opioid Financial Burden on Crime Labs

July 2018

In episode twelve of our 2018 Drugs Season, just Science speaks to Dr. Paul Speaker, from west Virginia University, about the economic burden our justice system has from opioid deaths. They are estimating that the crime labs alone are spending around 270 million dollars a year just on the opioid crisis. Laboratory budgets are not growing fast enough to handle this drain on resources. Listen along as Just Science delves into the data of the opioid crisis. This episode will conclude the FTCOE’s season on drugs.

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Just Motivational Leadership

November 2018

Episode three of the Special Release Leadership season, just Science sat down with Martina Bison-Huckaby. the Director of the Center for Executive Education at West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics. Just Science examines how understanding and relating with people separates leadership from management. Also, we discuss that taking business techniques, and human psychology into a crime lab leadership position can be challenging. Martina Bison Huckaby explains how West Virginia University.

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Just FORESIGHT on Sexual Assault Kits

November 2018

In episode three of our Forensic Advancement season, Just Science interviews Dr. Paul Speaker from West Virginia University about the jurisdictional return on investment for DMA Databases. With the help of FORESIGHT crime labs can have not only an emotional argument but also an economical argument for testing all sexual assault kits. Just Science explores questions in this episode such as, should labs test all sexual assault kits? Should labs prioritize by if it was a consent case? does this data have more than just a societal impact? Stay tuned as Dr.

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