Forensic laboratories

In episode three of our Resilient Leadership mini season. Just Science sat down with Jody Wolf, Crime Lab Administrator for the Phoenix Police Department, Tim Scanlon, President of Forensic Analysis Consulting and Training LLC, and Mikayla Martin, Forensic Scientist at RTI International, to highlight the impact of human factors on forensic DNA interpretation. Human Factors Research is a discipline that examines concepts like undue influence, employee wellness and human error, which impact the decisions that forensic science practitioners make on a daily basis.

In episode two, of our Resilient Leadership mini Season, Just Science sat down with Henry Maynard to discuss the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, also known as ASCLD Forensic Research Committee. As researchers work to create better tools and technologies for the forensic science community, it is crucial that they are able to consult with practicing forensic professionals to better understand their needs and experiences.

This podcast episode was recorded at the 2023 American Society of Crime Laboratory Director Symposium in Austin, Texas, themed Resilient Leadership. This mini season will tease out what resiliency looks like in the forensic science community with a range of subject matter experts. Today, we'll be discussing a practical guide for employee wellness. Here to guide us in our discussion is Jamilah Dick and Meredith Rosenberg from the New York City office of Chief Medical Examiner. 

In part two of the final episode of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science continued the conversation with Dr. Peter Stout, Dr. Ray Wickenheiser and Matthew Gamette discussing the future of the forensic workforce. FEPAC accredited institutions provide high quality forensic science education for undergraduate and graduate students. However, coursework does not adequately emulate what working in a forensic laboratory and pursuing a career in forensic science will entail.

In Episode eight of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, just sat down with Dr. Peter Stout, president of the Houston Forensic Science Center, Dr. Ray Wickenheiser, Director of the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System and Matthew Gamette, Director of the Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratory System, to discuss their perspectives on forensic science training and recommendations for students and faculty and FEPAC accredited programs. FEPAC accredited institutions are preparing students for future jobs in crime laboratories across the United States.

In Episode seven of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Karen Scott, an Associate Professor at Arcadia University, and Dr. Jarrad Wagner, a Professor at Oklahoma State University, to discuss research collaborations, keeping on top of the dynamic drug landscape encountered in forensic toxicology case work. One of the requirements of FEPAC accreditation is that programs maintain partnerships with external collaborators such as forensic science laboratories and professional organizations.

In Episode six of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Brooke Kammrath, a Professor of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven, and Dr. Tatiana Trejos, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University to discuss career paths for individuals trained in trace evidence analytical methods. Trace evidence analysts are tasked with extracting information from small quantity samples like glass, paint fibers and gunshot residue to shed light on what possibly occurred at a crime scene.

In Episode five of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Robin Cotton, Director of the Master of Science Program and Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine, and Dr. Daniele Podini, a professor in the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University to discuss forensic biology and DNA. Forensic biology can be described as the application of biochemistry and cellular biology to solve forensic problems.

. In episode four of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Assistant Professor Jessica Zarate and fifth year student Kristen Szabelski at Madonna University in Michigan, as well as Dr. Christine Picard, an Associate Professor and Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program at Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis to discuss their hands on impression and pattern education programs. People will immediately think of fingerprints or bloodstain patterns when mentioning impression and pattern forensics.

And Episode three of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season Just Science sat down with Dr. Mark McCoy, professor and administrator of the Digital Evidence and Cybersecurity Program at the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute, and Josh Brunty, an associate professor of digital forensics in the School of Forensic and Criminal Justice Sciences at Marshall University to discuss the field of digital forensics, the importance of research and collaboration, and the development of dynamic academic programs.

In episode two of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce Season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sarah Williams, a Research Associate Professor in Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Keith Morris, a Ming Hsieh Distinguished Teaching Professor of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University, to discuss undergraduate master's and doctorate programs in forensic science. This season, Just Science will explore a variety of forensic science programs and the growing need for more doctoral programs.

In episode one of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Jose Almirall, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida International University, and Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, Professor and Chair of the Forensic Science Department at Sam Houston State University, to discuss the inception of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, also known as FEPAC and chemistry programs in forensic science.