Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Session Overview: This closing session spotlight outstanding research by NIJ Graduate Research Fellows, representing the next generation of forensic scientists. 

Goals: 

• Highlight exceptional graduate student research across all forensic disciplines
• Promote career development and mentorship opportunities in forensic science

Expected Outcomes: 

Session Overview: This session highlights transformative research in forensic DNA analysis and biological evidence examination. Presentations will feature advances in DNA technologies, mixture interpretation, non-traditional biological evidence, genealogy applications, and emerging molecular methods that expand investigative capabilities.

Goals:

Session Overview: This session addresses the rapidly evolving landscape of controlled substances and toxic substances. Presentations will focus on emerging synthetic drugs, novel psychoactive substances, analytical challenges in toxicology, and innovative detection methods responding to the changing drug threat landscape.

Goals:

Session Overview: This session explores research advancing human identification, skeletal trauma analysis, and death investigation. Presentations will feature innovations in skeletal analysis, decomposition studies, time since death estimation, and multidisciplinary approaches to complex medicolegal investigations.

Goals:

Session Overview: This opening session showcases scientific research in trace evidence analysis, pattern interpretation, and fire investigation. Presentations will highlight innovative analytical techniques, statistical approaches to pattern evidence, and emerging technologies that enhance the scientific rigor of these forensic disciplines.

Goals: 

This recording one of a group of presentations on The Synthetic Drug Crisis – Identifying NPS in Forensic Casework, which is session I in Best Practices Guidance for Advancing Research Initiatives and Combatting the Synthetic Drug Epidemic Online Workshop Series.

The workshop was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on July 25, 2018.

While modern electronic cigarettes (ECIG) were invented as an effective alternate method for nicotine delivery, the unregulated cannabis industry and recreational drug consumers adopted them for their culture acceptability and concealability. Absent strong, clear federal regulations, the ECIG industry rapidly expanded product types and e-liquid formulations. E-liquids contain chemicals considered safe for oral consumption, creating an aura of safety for consumers.

Successful leadership is more than just managing people—it’s about assembling the right team, placing individuals in roles where they thrive, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. This session explores key leadership principles based on the concept of "getting the right people on the bus" and ensuring they are in the right seats. Strategies for identifying talent, aligning team strengths with organizational goals, and creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best are discussed.

This webinar provides a high-level overview of the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (DiSC) Personality Assessment tool and its application in workplace settings. Attendees learn how DiSC helps identify individual behavioral styles—Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness—and fosters better communication, teamwork, and productivity. The presentation explores practical insights into understanding colleagues' unique preferences and adapting your communication strategies for a more effective workplace.