Introduction

2023 Year in Review

2023 Year in Review

A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

Another year in the books, and so much has happened! In 2023, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted various virtual events and delivered numerous online resources - including 6 podcast seasons, 4 virtual workshops, 2 symposiums, 27 reports, and 35 webinars - all rooted in evidence-based practice and geared towards practitioners leading the way in the world of forensic science. We remain focused on our mission of bridging the gap between the scientific and justice communities through advancing technology, sharing knowledge, and addressing challenges. Check out some of the highlights from this past year below!

As we launch into 2024, we are 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. Don't hesitate to 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 2024 has in store! 


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

infographic2023 v3

Webinars

Top 4 Webinars

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the most popular webinars of 2023.

All Is Not Pot That’s Green: An Overview of THC Isomers

← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on June 15, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview THC isomers, also known as THC analogs or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, are a group of compounds structurally related to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) that are often…

Touch DNA Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases: Knowledge to Inform Practice

← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 18, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Touch DNA was a revolutionary concept when introduced in 1997. The application of touch DNA in sexual assault cases was tested in 2011…

Exploring the Link Between Dating Apps and Sexual Assault: Novel Research Findings

← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 4, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Dr. Julie L. Valentine will share background information on dating app usage and user demographics to provide context for research findings on dating…

Stress, Trauma, and Burnout in Forensic Scientists

← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on March 28, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview The world of forensic science and death investigation is always unpredictable and demanding. Large caseloads, hazardous materials, traumatic evidence, and other complexities related…

Podcasts

Top 6 Podcast Episodes

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the most popular episode from each season in 2023.

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Just Workplace Stress and Its Impact on Decision-Making in Forensics

Original Release Date: May 12, 2023 In this Special Release episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Mohammed Almazrouei, a forensic practitioner with the Abu Dhabi Police, to discuss his dissertation work, which examines how workplace stressors may affect decision-making…

Tools

Mobile App

Video Resource

Reports

Top 10 Reports

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the most popular reports of 2023.

FLN-TWG: A Roadmap to Improve Research and Technology Transition in Forensic Science

← Back to FLN-TWG Main Page  Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International, formed the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group…

Landscape Study of Next Generation Sequencing Technologies for Forensic Applications

Date April 2023 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides valuable resources that promote the use of novel and innovative technologies in the forensic community. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)…

An Introduction to Forensic Genetic Genealogy Technology for Forensic Science Service Providers

Date September 2022 Overview DNA evidence can play a key role in investigations of cold case violent crimes and in cases of missing and unidentified individuals. Searching DNA profiles against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Combined DNA Index System…

2022 Update: 3D Imaging Technologies and Virtual Comparison Microscopy for Firearms Examination, A Landscape Study

Date August 2022 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides resources that promote the use of technologies in the forensic community. This report is an update to a 2016…

Guidance Document on Considerations for Photographic Documentation in Sexual Assault Cases

Date Updated: March 2024 Original: August 2022  Overview Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are medical professionals with specialized training and expertise in medicine, psychology, and forensic science and are qualified to conduct sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs). During the SAMFE,…

Guidelines for the Use of Terrestrial LiDAR Scanners in Criminal Justice Applications

Date March 2022 Overview Terrestrial LiDAR scanning devices (also known as terrestrial laser scanning devices, TLS) acquire complex geometric data that capture a three-dimensional representation of a scene; this technology is used in criminal justice applications such as documenting a…
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A Landscape Study of Electronic Case Management Systems for Medical Examiners and Coroners

Date February 2022 Overview Medical examiner and coroner (ME/C) offices sit at the nexus of forensic sciences and public health. These offices play a key role in the investigation of suspicious, unexplained, or unexpected deaths, dissemination of important data to…
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FLN-TWG: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for DNA Analysis

← Back to FLN-TWG Main Page  Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International, formed the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group…

Landscape Reports

Click the left and right arrows to scroll through the landscape reports of 2023. Updates coming soon!

Landscape Study of Next Generation Sequencing Technologies for Forensic Applications

Date April 2023 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides valuable resources that promote the use of novel and innovative technologies in the forensic community. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)…

FLN-TWG: A Roadmap to Improve Research and Technology Transition in Forensic Science

← Back to FLN-TWG Main Page  Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International, formed the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group…

A Landscape Study of Computed Tomography Scanners for Postmortem Applications

Date December 2023 Overview Advanced imaging technologies help medicolegal death investigation (MDI) personnel assess cause of death (COD) and manner of death (MOD). The Medical Examiner and Coroner (MEC) community utilize postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to obtain imaging data to…


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


Related Content

Just Using Inadvertently Photographed Ridge Detail as Evidence

Original Release Date: November 22, 2024 In episode two of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Tim Fayle, Training Capability Lead for IDEMIA Australasia and Chair of the International Association for Identification’s Latent Print Certification Board, to…