2021 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 16, 2021 from 10:00 AM ET to 5:40 PM ET. NIJ…

Just Off The Shelf Forensics

In the final episode of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Tim Schade and Brian Cochran to discuss off-the-shelf crime scene processing products. Budgetary concerns often plague smaller forensic labs and law enforcement agencies. Scene investigators might realize that some of those expensive forensic tools might not be viable or…

Just Identifying Fingerprints Through Photographs

In episode six of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Karen Oswald, Senior Evidence Specialist with the Suffolk County Police Department in New York, to discuss methods for identifying fingers and hands captured in evidentiary photos. As cellphone and camera technologies continue…

Just the Impact of Disturbing Media

In episode eight, Just Science interviews Dr. Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar from Purdue University about the impact of disturbing media on forensic professionals. Repeated exposure to violent and graphic media can have long-term negative effects on digital forensic examiners. Dr. Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar is researching the connection between disturbing media and the examiners who analyze it every…

Just Deepfakes

In episode seven, Just Science interviews Dr. Catalin Grigoras and Cole Whitecotton from the National Center for Media Forensics about deepfakes. Deepfakes are a form of synthetic media that replace an existing image with someone else’s likeness. While relatively new,…

Just NIST’s Digital Forensics Black Box Study

In episode six, Just Science interviews Barbara Guttman from the National Institute of Standards and Technology about the first large-scale black box study to test the accuracy of computer and mobile phone forensics. In forensic science, black box studies are…

Just Digital Evidence 101

In episode five, Just Science interviews Matt Ruddell from Florida International University about their efforts to develop forensic education and training programs at FIU. The National Forensic Science Technology Center at Florida International University offers a variety of courses, consulting,…

Network Forensics: Challenges and Tools

← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 Duration: 1 hour – The New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID) is a new resource for research in any field that can draw on computed tomography…

Just Digital Evidence in the Courts of Appeals

In episode three, Just Science interviews Martin Novak, a Computer Scientist with the National Institute of Justice, about digital evidence in the United States Court of Appeals. Digital evidence has the capacity to identify suspects, win acquittals, and obtain convictions.…

Just A Public Defender’s Perspective

In episode two, Just Science interviews Nicolas Hughes, assistant public defender with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Houston, TX, about the validation of tools utilized by digital forensics laboratories. Many forensic laboratories face overwhelming caseloads; digital forensic labs…

Just the Evolution of Digital Evidence

While the realm of digital evidence is still relatively new, it requires validation and testing like all forensic disciplines. Digital evidence is a dynamic discipline that can often provide greater insight into the investigation of a crime or the defense…

camera lens black stains and barrier tape

Success Story: Improving Detection of Crime Scenes

NIJ and University of South Carolina Report Date August 2016 Impact “This technology provides the ability to detect blood in all sorts of circumstances, even in some cases where traditional techniques can’t.” – Stephen L. Morgan, University of South Carolina…