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Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

The Poison of a Mother's Love: The Hope Ybarra Investigation of Medical Child Abuse, Part 3

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is  rare but debilitating for both the parent and the victim. Due to its rarity, investigating and proving the existence of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is exceptionally difficult. In this presentation, Mike Weber of the Tarrant County, TX, District Attorney’s Office explained how he collected evidence for the case of Hope Ybarra.

The Poison of a Mother's Love: The Hope Ybarra Investigation of Medical Child Abuse, Part 2

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is  rare but debilitating for both the parent and the victim. Due to its rarity, investigating and proving the existence of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is exceptionally difficult. In this presentation, Mike Weber of the Tarrant County, TX, District Attorney’s Office explained how he collected evidence for the case of Hope Ybarra.

The Poison of a Mother's Love: The Hope Ybarra Investigation of Medical Child Abuse, Part 1

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is  rare but debilitating for both the parent and the victim. Due to its rarity, investigating and proving the existence of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy is exceptionally difficult. In this presentation, Mike Weber of the Tarrant County, TX, District Attorney’s Office explained how he collected evidence for the case of Hope Ybarra.

Human Trafficking in the U.S. and Worldwide Including Dental Aspects, Part 2

March 2017

Identifying victims of human trafficking has a unique set of obstacles, often compounded by language barriers or the victim’s unwillingness to work with law enforcement. Uncovering even the most basic information about victims, both alive and dead, can be a challenge. John P. Kenney, D.D.S., discussed a method for using teeth to determine the ages of unknown victims in this presentation.

Human Trafficking in the U.S. and Worldwide Including Dental Aspects, Part 1

March 2017

Identifying victims of human trafficking has a unique set of obstacles, often compounded by language barriers or the victim’s unwillingness to work with law enforcement. Uncovering even the most basic information about victims, both alive and dead, can be a challenge. John P. Kenney, D.D.S., discussed a method for using teeth to determine the ages of unknown victims in this presentation.

Forensic Investigative Techniques and Case Consultations, Part 2

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

In the final presentation of the day, Bonnie Armstrong and Jamie Downs, M.D., speak with investigators about case consultation and evidence collection techniques. Topics include: photography, search warrants, multidisciplinary teams, and the information that can be gained from an autopsy.

Forensic Investigative Techniques and Case Consultations, Part 1

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

In the final presentation of the day, Bonnie Armstrong and Jamie Downs, M.D., speak with investigators about case consultation and evidence collection techniques. Topics include: photography, search warrants, multidisciplinary teams, and the information that can be gained from an autopsy.

Forensic Entomology Overview, Part 2

March 2017

Entomology has a multitude of uses when it comes to forensic investigation. Whether investigators are estimating post-mortem interval or trying to understand damage dealt to a corpse after death, insects and their behaviors may provide clues or missing information. In this presentation, Neal Haskell, Ph.D., discussed specific case studies and how forensic entomology aided these investigations.

Forensic Entomology Overview, Part 1

March 2017

Entomology has a multitude of uses when it comes to forensic investigation. Whether investigators are estimating post-mortem interval or trying to understand damage dealt to a corpse after death, insects and their behaviors may provide clues or missing information. In this presentation, Neal Haskell, Ph.D., discussed specific case studies and how forensic entomology aided these investigations.

Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 2

March 2017

The elderly and those living with special needs are two of the most vulnerable populations in our society. As such, additional care and knowledge is necessary to investigate these cases. Jamie Downs, M.D., provided detailed case studies, best practices for investigating these cases, and other noteworthy topics in this presentation.

Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 3

March 2017

The elderly and those living with special needs are two of the most vulnerable populations in our society. As such, additional care and knowledge is necessary to investigate these cases. Jamie Downs, M.D., provided detailed case studies, best practices for investigating these cases, and other noteworthy topics in this presentation.

Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 1

March 2017

The elderly and those living with special needs are two of the most vulnerable populations in our society. As such, additional care and knowledge is necessary to investigate these cases. Jamie Downs, M.D., provided detailed case studies, best practices for investigating these cases, and other noteworthy topics in this presentation.

Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 2

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

These presentations highlight specific case studies from a pathologist’s perspective. Jamie Downs, M.D., discussed several topics, including best practices for identifying child abuse and the difference between manner of death and cause of death.

Vulnerable Victims: Forensic Pathology of Child Abuse, Part 1

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
March 2017

These presentations highlight specific case studies from a pathologist’s perspective. Jamie Downs, M.D., discussed several topics, including best practices for identifying child abuse and the difference between manner of death and cause of death.

Game Over: The Prosecution of Mell Hall, Part 3

March 2017

Former Major League Baseball player Mel Hall is known for many things, but his athletic career is shadowed by a severe crime: preying on underage girls. In 2009, Hall was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. In this presentation, survivor Chaz discussed her personal story and the methods Hall used to manipulate her family into trusting him.

Game Over The Prosecution of Mel Hall, Part 2

March 2017

Former Major League Baseball player Mel Hall is known for many things, but his athletic career is shadowed by a severe crime: preying on underage girls. In 2009, Hall was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. In this presentation, survivor Chaz discussed her personal story and the methods Hall used to manipulate her family into trusting him.

Game Over: The Prosecution of Mell Hall, Part 1

March 2017

Former Major League Baseball player Mel Hall is known for many things, but his athletic career is shadowed by a severe crime: preying on underage girls. In 2009, Hall was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. In this presentation, survivor Chaz discussed her personal story and the methods Hall used to manipulate her family into trusting him.

Emerging Forensic Research Series: Forensic Biology

April 2019

Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National Academies of Science report “Strengthening Forensic Sciences in the United States: A Path Forward.”

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 9, 2019.

New Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) Recommendations on Communicating Likelihood Ratios

October 2018

SWGDAM recently issued recommendations on genotyping results reported as likelihood ratios, designed to promote consistency among laboratories. Members of the committee will discuss the recommendations and their foundations.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 18, 22018.

New Mexico Decedent Image Database: Taking 3D Measurements with Images

October 2020

This webinar will demonstrate the use of the open source 3D Slicer software platform (https://www.slicer.org/) for visualizing 3D medical imaging datasets and collecting quantitative data from those images, including linear/angular, landmark-based, and volumetric data.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 28, 2020.