Introduction

2021 Year in Review

2021 Year in Review

A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

Another year in-the-books and so much has happened! In 2021, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted a wide range of virtual events and offered online resources amidst an ongoing pandemic. With five podcast seasons, three virtual meetings/symposiums, ten reports, and over forty webinars, we continued to lead the way in the world of forensic science. We’re glad we could continue to fulfill our mission of bridging the gap between the scientific and justice communities through advancing technology, sharing knowledge, and addressing challenges throughout the year. Check out some of the highlights from this past year below!

As we launch headfirst into 2022, we are incredibly thankful for all of YOU. We cannot accomplish all that we do without your input, expertise, support, and participation. Your feedback is always appreciated and helps guide our plans for the upcoming year. As always, please contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications. Thank you for continuing to support the FTCOE! We’re looking forward to what 2022 has in store! 


Click the links below to see previous years' annual reviews and infographics.

2021 ftcoe inforgraphic

Webinars

Top 5 Webinars

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the most popular webinars of 2021.

firearm & Ammo

Glock Pistol Toolmarks: A Literature Review and Introduction of Undocumented Toolmarks

← Back to Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on December 14, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview Glock pistols are well known for their generally distinctive class characteristics and the numerous toolmarks that they create on fired…
People in a laboratory

ASCLD Train the Director – Developing an Unbiased Culture in Your Laboratory

← Back to Series  This webinar originally occurred on May 26, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview This webinar facilitated a discussion about bias in a crime laboratory. Questions discussed included: what is bias in forensics? How can it impact your…
Burning building/scientist collecting evidence

Advancing Fire Scene Investigations with Field Portable Technologies

← Additional Portable Instrumentation for On-Scene Fire Debris Analysis Resources This webinar originally occurred on April 6, 2021. Duration: 1.5 hours Overview This multi-year effort evaluated the application and limitations of field portable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) systems.  The testing included three bench-top burns,…

Podcast

Top 5 Podcast Episodes

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the most popular episodes in 2021.

microphone and headphones

Just Trauma-Informed Victim-centered Interviewing

Original Release Date: July 30, 2021 In episode three of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss trauma informed, victim-centered interviewing for sexual assault cases.    A sexual…
microphone and headphones

Just Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology Portfolio

Original Release Date: June 18, 2021 In episode three of our 2021 NIJ R&D and Beyond mini season, Just Science sat down with Danielle McLeod-Henning, a physical scientist and program manager in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at NIJ, to discuss Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology.   Danielle McLeod-Henning has been the physical…

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


Related Content

Just Sexual Assault Response for Cases without DNA Evidence

Original Release Date: April 19, 2024 In this 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month special release episode, Just Science sat down with Erin House, Special Assistant Attorney General in Michigan; Richard Johnson, Kalamazoo SAKI Investigator; and Lindsey King, Kalamazoo Community-based Victim…

Just Lessons Learned in Forensic Technology Transition

Original Release Date: February 2, 2024 In episode four of our Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Catherine Grgicak, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Rutgers University-Camden, and Stephanie Stoiloff, Chief of the Forensic Services…