Introduction

2020 NIJ Forensic Science R&D Symposium

2020 NIJ Forensic Science R&D Symposium

Overview

The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) assisted the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in hosting the annual NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development (R&D) Symposium on February 18th, 2020 at the 72nd Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) meeting in Anaheim, CA.

NIJ and the FTCOE are committed to improving the practice of forensic science and strengthening its impact through support of research and development, rigorous technology evaluation and adoption, effective knowledge transfer and education, and comprehensive dissemination of best practices and guidelines to agencies dedicated to combating crime. Advancements within forensic science necessitate a forum to spread information and awareness.

During the R&D Symposium, researchers and practitioners met to discuss, discover, and share new approaches and applications to increase the impact of forensic science and elevate its status. The R&D Symposium was specifically designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing with the goal of moving research from theory to practice.

Archived Event

The Forensic Science R&D Symposium was recorded live and turned into an archive for anyone interested in learning more about NIJ's research portfolio. The archival version of the Symposium is available now! Click the buttons below to access all of the event's content.

Symposium Proceedings

The Forensic Science R&D Symposium published proceedings can be accessed by clicking the link below.

Presentations

Morning Session I: Forensic Biology/DNA

Presentation Topics:
Efficient Sequencing and Analysis of Degraded and Trace DNA Samples Using a Novel Targeted Ligation-Free Method
Microhaplotypes: Moving Scientific Research to a Forensic Casework Panel
DNA Typing Strategies via Real-Time Nanopore Sequencing for Forensic Analyses
Development of Entire Mitogenome Reference Data Using an Automated High Throughput Sequencing Workflow

Morning Session II: Seized Drugs and Toxicology

Presentation Topics:
The Detection and Quantitation of Fentanyl Mixtures by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and Chemometrics
Portable SERS-PSI-MS Dual Analysis Platform Using Gold Nanoparticle-Embedded Paper for Trace Detection of Illegal Drugs
Forty Plus Ways not to Analyze Beverages for Cannabinoids
Investigating the Rise and Fall of Opioids Using Data Acquired by Liquid Chromatography Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS)

Afternoon Session I: Impression and Pattern Evidence/Trace Evidence

Presentation Topics:
Quantitative Measures for Footwear Impression Comparisons
Testing the Accuracy and Reliability of Palmar Friction Ridge Comparisons: A Black Box Study
Rapid Detection of Inorganic and Organic Firearm Discharge Residues by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Electrochemical Sensors
Facilitating the Adoption of Glass Evidence Analyses in Forensic Laboratories

Afternoon Session II: Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology

Presentation Topics:
Developing an Online Resource for Species Identification of Skeletal Remains
Development Responses to Fluctuating Temperatures of a Forensically Important Blow Fly (Cochliomyia Macellaria)
Understanding the Role of the Thanatomicrobiota in the Decay of “Reproductive Organs” in Human Decomposition
Using Microbiome Tools to Estimate the Postmortem Interval of Human Remains


Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence event was provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this event are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.


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