All of our webinars, reports, podcast episodes, and other educational resources are available to the public at no cost.
Funding for the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence has been provided by the National Institute of Justice.
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- All Biology & DNA
- Biology (48)
- Body Fluid Identification (21)
- DNA (120)
- DNA Mixtures (23)
- Epigenetic Markers (0)
- Familial DNA & Kinship Analysis (14)
- Laboratory Operations (14)
- Lawfully Owed DNA (0)
- Massively Parallel/Next-Generation Sequencing (6)
- Mitochondrial DNA (9)
- Phenotyping (2)
- Rapid DNA (13)
- Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (5)
- Touch DNA (4)
Just A Pediatric Viewpoint on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: January 21, 2022 In episode three of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Toni Laskey, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the…
Just the Intersection of At-Home Kits and Healing
Original Release Date: January 14, 2022 In episode two of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Monica Gardner, an advocate, a former rape crisis center team advocate, and a survivor of sexual abuse as a child and…
Just Supporting Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: January 7, 2022 In episode one of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, a researcher, sexual assault nurse examiner, and the Associate Dean of Brigham Young University’s…
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.…
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault
Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) will be delivering a two-day Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault on January 26-27, 2022. The Virtual Workshop: A Discussion…
2022 NIJ Forensic Science R&D Symposium
Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) will assist the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in hosting the annual NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development (R&D) Symposium on March 1st & 2nd, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM…
HHRRC Poster Session 2022
The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC), an organization within the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) supported by the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), will host a hybrid virtual and in-person Poster…
Molecular Identification of Insects Relevant to Medicolegal Casework
This webinar originally occurred on December 2nd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Accurate insect identification is critical to their use in estimation of time of colonization (TOC) and post-mortem interval (PMI) during medicolegal death investigations. Insect specimens are currently identified by…
2021 Forensic Science Research Federal Stakeholders Public Meeting
Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), held a Forensic Science Research Federal Stakeholders meeting on November 8, 2021 from 9:00AM…
National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach Mobile App
Go MOBILE for FREE with the National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits App! Get the app here or search for “National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits” on the Google Play Store. Google Play and the Google Play logo…
DNA recovery after sequential processing of latent fingerprints on copy paper
Publication Journal of Forensic Sciences, September 2021 Authors Abigail S. Bathrick, M.F.S. | Bode Technology, Lorton, VA Sarah Norsworthy, M.S. | Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, RTI International, Durham, NC Dane T. Plaza, B.S. | Bode Technology, Lorton, VA Mallory…
FLN-TWG: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for DNA Analysis
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 (FLN-TWG). The FLN-TWG supports NIJ’s mission…
2021 National Forensic Science Week Murder Mystery Event
← Back to Main Page Overview As a part of National Forensic Science Week 2021 (September 19-25, 2021), the FTCoE is offering a murder mystery event! Each day of the week, a new evidence-based clue will be revealed on the…
2021 National Forensic Science Week Practitioner Interviews
← Back to Main Page Overview The FTCoE has conducted a variety of written interviews with forensic professionals in various stages of their careers. From recent graduates to retired professionals, the FTCoE showcases real-world perspectives on the current state of…
2021 National Forensic Science Week
Overview National Forensic Science Week (September 19-25, 2021) recognizes the contribution that forensic science makes to the criminal justice system. It is an opportunity to celebrate academic programs, forensic professionals, and scientific research in the various forensic disciplines. Throughout the…
2021 National Forensic Science Week FTCoE Student Research Poster Session
Overview As fall semesters are getting back into session and in honor of the upcoming National Forensic Science Week (September 19-25, 2021), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The…
Just Partially Tested Sexual Assault Kits
In episode seven of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell and Mary Weston to discuss resolving partially tested sexual assault kits. Partially tested sexual assault kits create a unique…
Just Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 20, 2021 In episode six of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers, an attorney adviser with AEquitas, to discuss supporting male victims of sexual assault through the…
Just Advocacy for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 13, 2021 In episode five of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Marya Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss advocacy for male survivors…
Just a Cost Benefit Analysis of Sexual Assault Investigation
Original Release Date: August 6, 2021 In episode four of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant Prosecuting…
AFDAA 2021 Summer Meeting
The Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators (AFDAA), RTI International, and NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) partnered to host the AFDAA summer meeting virtually on July 28th and 29th, 2021. This virtual conference allowed the continued dissemination…
Just Trauma-Informed Victim-centered Interviewing
In episode three of our 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 assault victim’s experiences with law enforcement and advocates…
Just Touch DNA and Sexual Assault Groping Cases
Original Release Date: July 23, 2021 In episode two of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the College of Nursing and…
Just Lawfully Owed DNA
In episode one of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, to discuss…
Just the Biology and DNA Portfolio
Original Release Date: June 25, 2021 In episode four of our 2021 NIJ R&D and Beyond mini season, Just Science sat down with Tracey Johnson, a physical scientist and program manager in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at NIJ, to…
Microhaplotypes: A Comprehensive Forensic DNA Marker
This webinar originally occurred on June 22nd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour In this presentation, the subject matter expert discussed the current status of the research conducted in the GW-FMB lab on a new multi-function DNA marker and its potential impact…
Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Groping and Sexual Assault Cases
Report Publication Journal of Forensic Nursing, April 2021 Introduction Historically, evidence collection in sexual assault cases focused on obtaining foreign contributor bodily fluids through swab collection. With improvements in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis methods, DNA profiles can be developed from touch…
Perspectives on Addressing the Collection, Tracking, and Processing of Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Report Date April 2021 Introduction The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a powerful tool that supports the criminal justice system by generating investigative leads, identifying perpetrators, and linking cases together. DNA profiles obtained from…
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…
Introduction to Touch DNA Evidence for Sexual Assault Groping Cases Video Series
Overview: The Importance of Touch DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Groping Cases video series is presented by Dr. Julie Valentine and Heather Mills as a companion to the Journal of Forensic Nursing article entitled “Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch…
FLN-TWG: Proteomic Mass Spectrometry for Biology Fluid Identification
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 (FLN-TWG). The FLN-TWG supports NIJ’s mission…
Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG)
Supporting NIJ’s Mission to Improve Knowledge and Understanding 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 (FLN-TWG). The FLN-TWG supports NIJ’s…
Stability and Persistence of Touch DNA for Forensic Analysis
Touch DNA evidence (i.e. the low quantities of DNA that can be left behind when someone touches an object) is of increasing importance in criminal investigations. However, many important questions exist regarding basic properties of touch DNA, including the expected…
Sexual Assault Response Fact Sheets
The organization of education materials for those responding to and investigating criminal sexual assault is a major component of our efforts toward sexual assault response reform. In that respect, the Fact Sheets below were designed to feature webinars and additional…
Utility of Microbes in Forensic Science
This webinar originally occurred on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour The presenter discussed the definition of forensic microbiology, a timeline of when it first became popular, and how it differs from molecular epidemiology. The webinar then covered differences…
2020 Year in Review
A Message from the FTCoE Webinars The FTCoE hosted over 30 webinars this year. You can see all that we have to offer on our resources page, or you can check out the top five here: The New Mexico Decedent…
Emerging Methods for Body Fluid Analysis
This webinar originally occurred on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 Duration: 1.5 hours The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted a panel of subject matter experts to discuss emerging methods for body fluid analysis. This webinar is broken up into three…
An Automated Single Cell Separation Technique to Improve Mixture Deconvolution
This webinar originally occurred on Thursday, November 12th, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Although the interpretation of mixed DNA samples is commonplace in forensic analyses, complex samples often present interpretational challenges. These complexities are introduced through a variety of environmental, biological,…
Effects of DNA Extraction Methods on Recovery, Degradation, and Loss
← 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…
Success Story: Advancing Mixture Interpretation Analysis with NOCIt
National Institute of Justice and Rutgers University Date September 2020 Overview DNA samples recovered from crime scenes often contain at least two contributors. Complex forensic DNA mixture interpretation can be challenging and requires computational advancements that support its use. Using…
2020 SWAFS Virtual Conference
In October 2020, the FTCoE helped the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS) host their first virtual conference. This event, which saw over 1,400 unique attendees across three days, covered a multitude of topics pertinent to the forensic science community.…
Just Forensic Genetic Genealogy and GEDmatch: Verogen’s Approach
In this Forensic Science Week special episode, Just Science interviews Brett Williams, the CEO of Verogen, about the GEDmatch database, how it can be used by law enforcement to perform forensic genealogy searches for investigative leads, and the short- and long-term plans Verogen has for…
PACE™: Rapid and Automated Artifact Identification and Number of Contributor Prediction
– Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ETDuration: 1 hour(s) The PACE™ software introduces a fully continuous, machine learning tool to the forensic DNA community that enables fast and accurate artifact management and predicts the number…
Validation and Tutorial of NOCIt for Determining the Number of Contributors
– Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) Forensic DNA signal is notoriously challenging to interpret and requires the implementation of computational tools that support its interpretation. While data from high-copy, low-contributor samples…
Just Mitochondrial DNA
In episode seven of the 2020 R&D Season, Just Science interviews Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi, a Research Scientist at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, about the development of entire mitogenome reference data using an automated high-throughput sequencing workflow. Disaster victim identification…
2019 National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium
This report was published in RTI Press, a global publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access publications on a broad range of topics. The areas of focus reflect RTI’s multidisciplinary research, our expertise in social and laboratory sciences, and our extensive international activities. Since…
The Time to Analyze is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hour(s) This webinar built on the concepts presented in the webinar “The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases” presented by Dr. Julie Valentine.…
DNA Backlog Reduction Strategy: Law Enforcement Agency Partnerships for a Successful Biological Screening Laboratory
NIJ’s FTCoE, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, and Boca Raton Police Services Department Report Date November 2019 Introduction Implementing DNA technology in crime laboratories has led to the intensification of backlogged cases and a concomitant pressure to implement backlog…
ASCLD Train the Director – Investigative Genetic Genealogy: Background and Crime Lab Strategy
This webinar originally occurred on January 23rd, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours Investigative Genetic Genealogy is a recently developed technique that generates new leads on previously unsolved cases where DNA from the suspect is present at the crime scene. In situations…
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…
Just the Impact of Lawfully-Owed DNA Collection
In the final episode of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Jayann Sepich, co-founder of the non-profit organization DNA Saves, about lawfully owed arrestee DNA. In 2003, 22-year-old Katie Sepich was raped and murdered within five blocks of her home in New Mexico. Using skin…
Just USACIL and Direct-to-DNA
<<< back to all episodes In episode seven of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Molly Hall, an examiner for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, about their transition to a Direct-to-DNA approach to processing sexual assault kits. The United…
Just Improving Workflow Efficiency
<<< back to all episodes In episode six of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Leslie Parke and Jamie Haas of Signature Science, a private DNA laboratory based in Austin, Texas, about increasing workflow efficiency in their lab. From twenty cases…
Just the Golden State Killer
<<< back to all podcasts In the last episode of Just Science, Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter shared her techniques for creating family trees and discussed the resolution of her first cold case. In episode five of the DNA season, we continue…
Just Investigative Genetic Genealogy
<<< back to all episodes In episode four of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter, genetic genealogist and volunteer search angel with DNAadoption.org, about investigative genetic genealogy and its use in forensic science. From computer programmer to patent attorney,…
Just Lean Six Sigma and Your Lab
<<< back to all episodes In episode three of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Julie Sikorsky, Forensic Biology Unit Manager at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, about her experience introducing an efficiency program into her lab. Palm Beach…
Just Genetic Variation
<<< back to all episodes In episode two of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Dr. Kenneth Kidd, Professor Emeritus of Genetics at Yale University, about his research in genetics. Dr. Kenneth Kidd has been working on grants from the National…
Just DNA and the Post-Conviction Dynamic
<<< back to all episodes In episode one of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Chris Asplen, Executive Director of National Criminal Justice Association, about the evolution of DNA evidence. Listen along as our guest discusses the value of post-conviction…
Online Workshop Series: Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results
Overview The Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory has partnered with the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence to create a series of online workshops aimed at increasing knowledge, understanding, and the reliable application of probabilistic genotyping to…
Rapid DNA’s Role in Disaster Victim Identification
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Historically DNA technology has been used as a last resort in the identification of disaster victims. Traditional DNA testing can be a lengthy…
Success Story: Enabling Forensic Field Testing with Paper Microfluidic Devices
National Institute of Justice and Florida International University Date April 2019 Overview Forensic investigators, law enforcement, and military personnel are often placed in potentially dangerous situations when they come across suspected drugs, explosives, and bodily fluids while in the field.…
Success Story: Improving DNA Mixture Interpretation with the Help of Machine Learning
National Institute of Justice and Syracuse University Date March 2019 Overview When DNA is recovered from a crime scene, victim, or suspect, it may be a mixture of genetic information from multiple individuals. To successfully interpret a mixture of DNA,…
Emerging Research in Forensic Biology
This webinar originally occurred on April 9th, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National Academies of Science report “Strengthening…
The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 2:00 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Improving the overall response to sexual assault includes understanding how touch DNA evidence impacts groping sexual assault cases. This webinar will illustrate the importance of these…
In-Brief Report Series: Beyond DNA – Sexual Assault Investigations
Report Series Date January 2019 Introduction The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is committed in their efforts to support scientific advancement, evidence-based practices, and community awareness of our Nation’s sexual assault response. As NIJ’s Director, Dr. David B. Muhlhausen, indicated,…
Success Story: Uncovering Key Details of Skeletal Remains through 3D-ID Software
National Institute of Justice and North Carolina State University Date January 2019 Overview When forensic anthropologists investigate unidentified remains, they look for important clues that can help identify the subject. For example, the size and shape of the skull can…
Just ASCLD Rapid DNA Committee
<<< back to all podcasts Just ASCLD Rapid DNA Committee In episode five of the Forensic Advancement season, Just Science interviews Katie Fetherston, Brian Hoey, and Jeremy Triplett, the Laboratory Supervisor for Kentucky State Police to discuss the ASCLD Rapid…
Process and Outcome Evaluation of Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement Program
Technical Note Date November 2018 Description A 2009 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement (EIP) Program solicitation provided crime laboratories’ DNA testing services with a funding opportunity to meet the increasingly numerous requests from the criminal…
A Landscape Study of SOPs to Collect and Process Arrestee and Convicted Offender DNA Samples
Report Date This study is currently being conducted. The project team presented a poster on preliminary findings and next steps at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Phoenix, Arizona on September 24-27, 2018. Description The Forensic Technology Center…
Advancing Research Initiatives and Combatting the Human Trafficking Epidemic
Thursday, November 1, 2018 1:00 PM ET – 2:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) Trafficking in persons is a multi-faceted global epidemic which has seen a significant increase in public awareness. However, there is a substantial need to expand capacities…
Estimating Blow Fly Age and Reducing Error in Postmortem Interval Cases
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 2:00:00 PM ET – 4:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) Insect evidence can provide valuable information during death investigations. Forensic entomologists estimate the ages of the immature insects like blow flies, which can provide useful information…
New SWGDAM Recommendations on Communicating Likelihood Ratios
Thursday, October 18, 2018 1:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) SWGDAM recently issued recommendations on genotyping results reported as likelihood ratios, designed to promote consistency among laboratories. Members of the committee will discuss the recommendations and…
Just Genetic Marker Linkages
Just Genetic Marker Linkages In the sixth episode of the 2018 R&D Season, Just Science speaks with Dr. Michael Edge of UC Davis about his research with record linkage of CODIS profiles with SNP genotypes. Can you tell if a…
Making a Forensic Scientist: A Recipe for Success
Friday, September 21, 2018 1:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) This webinar will discuss the challenges facing forensic science today and provide advice for entry-level practitioners on skills needed to succeed as a forensic scientist. National…
Mixtures, Microhaps, and Modeling, Oh My!! Cutting-Edge Research in Forensic DNA Analysis from Early-Career Scientists
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 10:00:00 AM ET – 11:30:00 AM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) During National Forensic Science Week, early-career researchers that were awarded FTCoE travel sponsorships to the prestigious Gordon Research Conference and Seminar will present novel projects in…
Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Webinar Series
Overview The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) with support from the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence provides needed resources and support to apply modern forensic science…
Just Skin Microbiomes as Evidence
Just Skin Microbiomes as Evidence In the third episode of the 2018 NIJ R&D Season, Just Science speaks with Dr. David Carter, Director and Associate Professor of Forensic Sciences at Chaminade University of Honolulu, about his research, “Evaluating the Skin…
Just Microhaps Perhaps
Just Microhaps Perhaps In the second episode of our new R&D Season, Just Science host Dr. John Morgan speaks with human population geneticist Dr. Kenneth Kidd, Professor Emeritus of Genetics and Senior Research Scientist at Yale University. With the advent…
Conference Proceedings: 2018 Research and Development Symposium
This report was published in RTI Press, a global publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access publications on a broad range of topics. The areas of focus reflect RTI’s multidisciplinary research, our expertise in social and laboratory sciences, and our extensive international activities. Since…
Success Story: Establishing a “Microbial Clock” to Improve Time of Death Prediction
National Institute of Justice and Multi-Institute Academic Team Date April 2018 Overview The postmortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since a person’s death. Determining the PMI at a crime scene may help to recreate the victim’s timeline…
Success Story: Maximizing the Use of Mitochondrial DNA in Identifying Remains and Aiding Missing Persons Casework
National Institute of Justice and the American Registry of Pathology Date April 2018 Overview Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) serves as an important tool in situations where traditional nuclear DNA analysis is unlikely to yield probative information. mtDNA sequencing has traditionally focused…
Success Story: NIST’s Dogs and Sensor Subcommittee Builds on Achievements by SWGDOG
National Institute of Justice and Florida International University Date April 2018 Overview Dog “detector teams” support law enforcement and first responders in a variety of applications ranging from drug and contraband interdiction to locating human remains. Dogs offer a useful…
Genes of a Feather Stick Together: Evaluating Linked Markers
This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour New DNA analysis kits used in kinship testing may contain loci that are potentially linked. This project will examine if three pairs of exhibit linkage and explore possible solutions for using…
DNA Kinship Testing Webinar Series
Overview DNA kinship tests are proposed as a method within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for confirming the presence of a biological relationship between two individuals for immigration purposes, preventing human trafficking, and identifying mass disaster victims. This webinar…
2018 NIJ R&D Symposium Series Forensic Biology / DNA
Afternoon Session II: Forensic Biology / DNA The NIJ Research and Development (R&D) Program funds both basic or applied R&D projects that will: (1) increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice, or (2)…
Evaluate Population-Specific Sibship During Kinship Analysis
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour – This webinar will provide an overview of what kinship analysis programs are currently in use and will provide an in-depth analysis of how population-based allele frequency…
Evaluating the Use of DNA Analysis for Family Reunification
This webinar originally occurred on March 14th, 2018 Duration: 1 hour DNA analysis allows for testing relationships (kinship) between two individuals in situations that vary from legal immigration to claimed parentage testing. This webinar focuses on the applicability of DNA…
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Kinship Testing Involving Siblings
This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour This webinar aims to improve the knowledge on kinship testing involving siblings and provides a cost-benefit analysis of practices involving the use of additional reference siblings and substitution of half-siblings for…
Success Story: Forensic Epigenetics – Markers for the Identification of Body Fluids
National Institute of Justice and Florida International University Date February 2018 Overview The identification of body fluids recovered from crime scenes can provide valuable information to further aid investigations. The biological origin of body fluids can facilitate the identification of…
Investigative DNA Testing Implementation
← Back to Series This webinar will discuss the technical and operational aspects of implementing forensic investigative DNA testing. DNA based prediction of physical appearance can provide investigators with useful leads when a DNA profile generates no hits. Currently, forensic…
DNA Methylation-Based Age Prediction & Body Fluid ID
← Back to Series In this webinar you will discover how multiplex assays targeting CpG sites can be used to predict the age of an individual and determine the body fluid of origin of a sample. The ability to estimate…
Rapid DNA Technology Forum
Report Date November 2017 Report Summary The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) hosted the Rapid DNA Technology Forum in Alexandria, VA on August 15–17, 2017. Rapid DNA technology has advanced quickly over the past several years, with the development…
The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker
← Back to Series This webinar will review the history of SNPs as forensic markers and discuss the design and development of large SNP multiplexes for use on massively parallel sequencing platforms for forensic and missing person identification. The use…
Just Case Studies: Derrick Todd Lee – Baton Rouge Serial Killer
Derrick Todd Lee – Baton Rouge Serial Killer In Episode 9, Season 2, Just Science interviews Ray Wickenheiser, director of the New York State Police lab system and current ASCLD president. Ray takes us down to Cajun Country to the case…
Predict Human Appearance From DNA Focusing On Pigmentation
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 10:00:00 AM EDT – 12:00:00 PM EDT Duration: 2 hour(s) Principles, methods and applications of DNA-based prediction of human appearance traits for forensic and anthropological use with specific insights into eye, hair, and skin colour prediction…
Just Case Studies: A Gruesome Murder in Mesa
A Gruesome Murder in Mesa In episode six, season two, Just Science interviews Kimberly Meza from Mesa police Department during the annual ASCLD symposium held in Dallas, Texas. Kimberly describes how a blood spatter analyst takes in a scene, especially…
Familial DNA: A series of reports released by the National Institute of Justice [2017]
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) published several reports related to Familial DNA in August 2017. The topics of these reports include Studies of Familial DNA Searching Policies and Practices-Case Studies, Studies of Familial DNA Searching Policies and Practices – National…
Just Case Studies: A Child’s Injustice
A Child’s Injustice Season two, episode two of the Just Science podcast involves a case from Canada that Andrew Greenfield, Deputy Director of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, worked on when he was a young scientist. The gruesome murder of…
FORENSIC DNA: THE BEGINNING OF THE SNP ERA
The field of forensics is constantly evolving. While short tandem repeats (STRs) are currently used in all forensic DNA laboratories for human identification, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have emerged as new markers of interest. These new markers present several benefits,…
Record Linkage of CODIS Profiles with SNP Genotypes
← Back to Series This webinar will describe a method for assessing whether a set of genotypes at the CODIS microsatellite markers is drawn from the same person as a set of genome-wide SNP genotypes. Forensic-genetic work in the United…
Rapid DNA Technology Forum 2017
Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) supports the implementation of new forensic technology and best practices by end users, bridging the gap between the scientific and the criminal justice communities. One way the FTCoE moves knowledge from research…
Just DNA Mixture Interpretation
Just DNA Mixture Interpretation In the fifth episode of Just Science, funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence , guest speaker Dr. Catherine Grgicak discusses DNA Mixture interpretation, currently a hot topic in forensic science. Dr. Grgicak and her colleagues…
2016 National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium
This report was published in RTI Press, a global publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access publications on a broad range of topics. The areas of focus reflect RTI’s multidisciplinary research, our expertise in social and laboratory sciences, and our extensive international activities. Since…
Furensics – Animal DNA in Criminal Investigations
Thursday, June 29, 2017 1:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) This webinar provides an overview of the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory Forensic Unit at UC Davis and the types of cases encountered in a non-human DNA laboratory.…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Standards and Guidelines Part 2
Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hours(s) Forensic DNA Analysis, and in particular interpreting complex DNA mixtures and calculating statistics, can be challenging. The technology is ever more sensitive and analysts are testing…
2015 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 17, 2015 at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) meeting…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Standards and Guidelines Part 1
This webinar was targeted to DNA Supervisors, DNA Technical Leaders, Quality Mangers, and DNA Analysts. There was also a question and answer period after the presentation. Forensic DNA Analysis, and in particular interpreting complex DNA mixtures and calculating statistics, can…
2016 TechBeat Articles Featuring the FTCoE
Sexual Assault Policy Symposium Issue: Nov/Dec 2016 Page: 16 Click here to read the article Forensics Training Tool Takes “Real World” Approach to Using New Technology Issue: Nov/Dec 2016 Pages: 13-15 Click here to read the article Road Map Leads to Increased Efficiency, Improved Function…
2015 TechBeat Articles Featuring the FTCoE
Gunshot Residue Analysis Featured in New ftcoe Report Series Issue: Sep/Oct 2015 Pages: 3-8 Click here to read the article Familial DNA Project: Engaging Stakeholders, Sharing Opinions Issue: May/Jun 2015 Pages: 13-14 Click here to read the article Cutting-Edge Vacuum Technology: Locates hard to find…
Developing Probe Capture NGS Systems for Forensics
A targeted probe capture based method of enrichment for clonal, massively parallel sequencing of the mitochondrial genome and nuclear SNPs can address the challenge of analyzing complex and low level mixtures, highly degraded and limited DNA samples. Funding for this…
In-Brief: Applying Internal Validation Guidelines for Expanded STR Loci Kits
Report Date January 2017 Report Summary The familiar ‘13 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core loci’ expanded to ‘20 CODIS core loci’ as mandated by the FBI on January 1, 2017. Because of this FBI mandate, participating CODIS laboratories will need…
A Guidance Document on the Forensic Application of Massively Parallel Sequencing
Report Date December 2016 Purpose This report describes the fundamentals of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) for the application to forensic analysis. Also included within this report is a comprehensive summary of the webinar series which discussed the strength of the technology…
Using Forensics & Biometrics on Human Trafficking
Modern day global realities are that millions of people are immigrants, refugees, enslaved in some form of human trafficking, or otherwise susceptible to conflict or acts of terror. There is no simplistic solution to address these issues, as matters of…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – The Critical Role of SNPs in the Future of Forensics
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, this presentation appraises the potential value of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) as applied to forensic analysis, including ancestry inference, phenotypic inference and individual identification. The discussion focuses strongly on the relevance of…
2013 R&D: Tarnished Gold Standard – Part II
This archival portion of the 2013 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • “Simultaneous Detection of mtDNA and a Nuclear Pseudogene Insert using Common Forensic mtDNA Primer Sets and Deep Sequencing” – Mark Wilson • “Towards Genotyping Single DNA…
2013 R&D: Tarnished Gold Standard – Part I
This archival portion of the 2013 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • “What I Thought I knew about Ancient and Degraded DNA, but Have Come to Learn” – Brian Kemp • “Addressing the Quality and Quantity: The Role…
Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations
What do the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the BTK killings and the Centennial Olympic Park bombing have in common? When does a criminal case go “cold,” and what does it take to “thaw it out” again? At a time of laboratory…
Removing PCR Artifacts in Forensic DNA Analysis
This webinar presented a new method that removes confounding PCR artifacts in Forensic DNA Analysis using high accuracy Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS). The use of short-tandem repeats (STR) in forensic DNA analysis has been successful in most situations. However, this…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Proteomics: Multiplex Assay to Identify Biological Stains
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, this archived presentation discusses the development and validation of a rapid multiplex assay for the identification of biological stains using comparative proteomics. Current serological techniques, although historically utilized and relied upon heavily…
Next Generation DNA Technologies
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, with Participating Partners- University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, held the Technology Transition Workshop: A DNA Revolution – Next Generation Technologies The goal of this workshop was to disseminate new and innovative technical…
MPS IV – Validation and Applications
← Back to Series Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is an exciting technology that holds promise for enhancing the capabilities of the forensic DNA analyst. However, there are several challenges that confront implementation of an MPS system into the crime laboratory,…
MPS III – Bioinformatics
← Back to Series Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is an exciting technology that holds promise for enhancing the capabilities of the forensic DNA analyst. However, there are several challenges that confront implementation of an MPS system into the crime laboratory.…
MPS II – The Genetic Marker Potential
← Back to Series Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is an exciting technology that holds promise for enhancing the capabilities of the forensic DNA analyst. However, there are several challenges that confront implementation of an MPS system into the crime laboratory,…
MPS I – Understanding the Basic Technology
← Back to Series Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is an exciting technology that holds promise for enhancing the capabilities of the forensic DNA analyst. However, there are several challenges that confront implementation of an MPS system into the crime laboratory.…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology Part II
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • New Pediatric Head Injury Assessment Tool for Possible Child Abuse Cases Considering Subject-Specific Child Head Anatomy – Dr. Jingwen Hu • Investigation of the Impact of…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology – Part I
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Modeling 3D Facial Shape from DNA – Dr. Mark Shriver • Pediatric Fracture Printing: Creating a Science of Statistical Fracture Signature Analysis – Dr. Todd Fenton…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Legal Perspective on the Adoption of Advanced Technologies
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, Ted Hunt, chief trial attorney in the prosecuting attorney’s office in Kansas City, Missouri, brings a fresh legal perspective to addressing the adoption of advanced DNA analysis technologies for forensic crime laboratories. In…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – HD SNP Array for Forensic Casework
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, Dr. Sandra Close presents her latest research, the application of high density SNP array technology applied to forensic casework. Dr. Close presents an overview of the platform, including chemistry, assay and interpretation,…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part IV
This four-part panel discussion series will elucidate the current landscape of policies and procedures addressing familial DNA searching. Part IV In this particular session, the discussion focused around current technical protocols including software considerations, candidate thresholds derived by likelihood ratio…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part III
This four-part panel discussion series will elucidate the current landscape of policies and procedures addressing familial DNA searching. Part III In this particular session, the discussion focused around the process of investigative follow up from these leads including costs and…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part II
This four-part panel discussion series will elucidate the current landscape of policies and procedures addressing familial DNA searching. Part II In this particular session, the discussion topic was focused around current existing protocols and specifically address questions such as: what…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part I
This four-part panel discussion series will elucidate the current landscape of policies and procedures addressing familial DNA searching. Part I These discussions were used to generate a report designed to educate legal professionals, policy makers, law enforcement and forensic laboratory…
Familial DNA Database Search System
The Familial DNA Database Search System is a newly developed fully web enabled secure database search system to allow for DNA profile comparisons including those that define familial relationships. This system was developed in collaboration with practitioners from the Denver…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Emerging Technologies for Human Remains Identification
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, an overview of the Laboratory’s new Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) instrumentation and protocol development is discussed including experimental design utilizing multiple forensic markers and the impact on sample processing. Funding for this…
DNA RADAR™ Innovations in Human Identification
DNA RADAR™ is an innovative and proprietary NGS platform that provides a complete human identification solution including CODIS and ENFSI markers, phenotype markers for blood type, hair and eye color, ancestry and prediction of SURNAME. Funding for this Forensic Technology…
Developing a Dynamic Model of the DNA Lab Process
This webinar detailed the development of a model that synthesizes, in silico, allele, stutter and noise signal generated from stochastic variation induced by the forensic DNA laboratory process. Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence event has been provided…
ASCLD Webinar Series: FBI Allele Frequency – Managers & Legal Overview
Crime Laboratories have earned a position of public trust over time through providing reliable quality results. Keeping public trust includes being self-correcting once an issue is discovered. The Federal Bureau of Investigation allele frequency amendments is an opportunity to demonstrate…
ASCLD Webinar Series: FBI Allele Frequency Amendments – Technical Discussion
Crime Laboratories have earned a position of public trust over time through providing reliable quality results. Keeping public trust includes being self-correcting once an issue is discovered. The Federal Bureau of Investigation allele frequency amendments is an opportunity to demonstrate…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Discipline
Archival Version – This course serves as an overview of the DNA discipline for the crime laboratory administration. This webinar provided non-DNA analysts who manage this discipline as part of a forensic laboratory or supervise members within this field, a…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA, the QAS and NDIS Part I
The American Society of Crime Lab Directors, along with RTI International, have produced this webinar series designed to investigate the validation, current use, and future implementation of Rapid DNA. This is the first archival of this three-part series that was…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA Part III
The American Society of Crime Lab Directors, along with RTI International, have produced this webinar series designed to investigate the validation, current use, and future implementation of Rapid DNA. This third webinar in the Rapid DNA Webinar series focuses on…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA Part II
The American Society of Crime Lab Directors, along with RTI, have produced this webinar series designed to investigate the validation, current use, and future implementation of Rapid DNA. This is the second webinar in a three part series. The presenters…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Mixtures Technical Overview
Complex DNA mixtures from more than two individuals and/or profiles amplified with low-level quantities of DNA, can be challenging for the analyst to interpret. The FBI’s Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) crafted a new version of the…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Mixtures Managers Overview
Complex DNA mixtures from more than two individuals and/or profiles amplified with low-level quantities of DNA, can be challenging for the analyst to interpret. Dr. Coble first provided an overview of the technical issues with mixture interpretation including statistical analyses.…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Applications of Emerging Technologies NIST
Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SRMs includes the PCR based DNA profiling standard which covers 51 autosomal and 17 Y chromosome markers, mitochondrial DNA sequencing standards and the human…
2017 NIJ R&D Series Forensic Biology & DNA
Morning Session II – Forensic Biology & DNA Speakers & Presentations for this section listed below: Forensic DNA Phenotyping of Quantitative Pigment in Human Physical Appearance Prediction – Susan Walsh, Indiana University Proteomic Analysis of Menstrual Blood for Forensic Identification…
2016 NIJ R&D Series Forensic Biology & DNA
Morning Session II: Forensic Biology & DNA The NIJ Research and Development (R&D) Program funds both basic or applied R&D projects that will: (1) increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice, or (2)…
A Landscape Study of DNA Mixture Interpretation Software
Report Date October 2015 Purpose Practical applications and implementation strategies for adoption of a DNA mixture interpretation software tool to assist with the challenges of complex mixture interpretation and statistical analysis. Report Summary Due to the influx of complex mixture…
2014 TechBeat Articles Featuring the FTCoE
Short Tandem Repeat Study Released Issue: Nov/Dec 2014 Page: 27 Click here to read the article Magneto-Optical technology shows promise in “Unerasing” Serial Numbers Issue: Sep/Oct 2014 Pages: 21-24 Click here to read the article Report Provides Insight Into Mobile ID Fingerprint Technology Issue: Jul/Aug 2014…
Success Story: Creating an International Databank of Skeletal Biomarkers for Human Identification
National Institute of Justice and University of South Florida Date September 2016 Overview According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Missing Person and Unidentified Person Files, there are approximately 13,500 unidentified individual cases in…
Success Story: Improving Detection of Crime Scenes
National Institute of Justice and University of South Carolina Date August 2016 Overview The detection, collection, and analysis of blood evidence recovered from a crime scene is critical in a forensic investigation because of the potential DNA it carries. However,…
Success Story: Customizing NextGENe Software for Forensic Applications
National Institute of Justice and CHORI – Collaboration with SoftGenetics® and California Department of Justice Date April 2016 Overview Degraded and mixed DNA samples are often encountered in forensic cases and pose interpretation challenges. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers are ideal targets…
Success Story: Addressing a Key Challenge for PCR-Based Forensic Tests
National Institute of Justice and DNA Polymerase Technologies Date April 2016 Overview Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) inhibitors are present in blood, soil, and reagents, and represent a key challenge for PCR-based forensic tests, resulting in false negatives and poor sensitivity…
Success Story: Introducing New Methods for DNA Analysis
National Institute of Justice and Midwest Research Institute Date April 2015 Overview Dr. Micah Halpern, formerly of Midwest Research Institute, used National Institute of Justice (NIJ) research grants to develop a unique genotyping method that is capable of rapidly producing…
Success Story: Advancing Rapid DNA Analysis
National Institute of Justice and NetBio Date April 2015 Overview Using research grants provided by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), NetBio of Waltham, MA, developed a Rapid DNA Analysis (RDA) system that is much faster at developing DNA profiles…
Success Story: Understanding the Ecology of Human Decomposition Methods for Estimating Postmortem Interval
National Institute of Justice and the National Museum of Health and Medicine Date April 2015 Overview Data on the microbiome of decomposing and skeletonized remains are providing an avenue for understanding how microbial communities may be used to augment medicolegal…
Success Story: Improving Identification of Mexican Hispanic Remains
National Institute of Justice and Texas State University Report Date April 2015 Overview In the United States, the Mexican Hispanic population ranks second in total size, yet Mexican Hispanic individuals often remain unidentified in forensic anthropological cases. The reason? There…
Success Story: Bringing Short Tandem Repeat DNA Identification to Law Enforcement
National Institute of Justice, UC Berkeley, and IntegenX Date April 2015 Overview Dr. Richard Mathies, chemist and professor at UC, Berkeley, was awarded NIJ funding to develop faster, more reliable, higher throughput, more sensitive, and more integrated technologies for forensic…