Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

This presentation introduces research conducted in Uganda at the nexus of forensic science and transitional justice, highlighting a large-scale forensic investigation and human identification capacity-building workshop for Ugandan stakeholders.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 28, 2019.

Medical examiner offices handle cases that present both technical and psychosocial challenges. Psychosocial challenges include communicating with highly distressed families of decedents and addressing complex moral and emotional concerns raised by disturbing cases and mass fatality events. This webinar provides information and skills to enhance the capacity to address the psychosocial demands of medical examiner and coroner work.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 17, 2019.

This webinar will discuss the impact of disturbing media on the psychological well-being (e.g., depression, secondary traumatic stress) of digital and multimedia forensic analysts.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 28, 2019.

In this webinar, Dr. Christiansen will discuss some of the relevant issues which affect law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 13, 2018.

Watch a follow-up webinar by Dr. Christiansen presented in August 2019.

Dr. David Christiansen discusses some of the relevant issues which affect law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders.  These concepts also apply to those who are affected by secondary traumatization such as crime scene investigators, attorneys and others who are in frequent contact with images or information regarding gruesome acts of violence.  Dr.

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.” The Emerging Forensic Research Webinar Series provides a platform for researchers to present their novel NIJ-supported research to the forensic community.

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 February 26, 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 March 14, 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 4, 2019.

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.

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.

Over the twenty years following the tragic abuse of her child, Bonnie Armstrong has worked tirelessly to pursue justice, support victim’s families, and prevent child abuse in its many forms. Through case consultation, legislative lobbying, and the development of forensic training programs, Armstrong and The Shaken Baby Alliance seek to end child abuse. In her introduction, Armstrong shared the story of her child’s abuse at the hands of the baby’s father and the impact that The Shaken Baby Alliance makes in the fight against abuse.

Over the twenty years following the tragic abuse of her child, Bonnie Armstrong has worked tirelessly to pursue justice, support victim’s families, and prevent child abuse in its many forms. Through case consultation, legislative lobbying, and the development of forensic training programs, Armstrong and The Shaken Baby Alliance seek to end child abuse. In her introduction, Armstrong shared the story of her child’s abuse at the hands of the baby’s father and the impact that The Shaken Baby Alliance makes in the fight against abuse.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.