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 (62)
- Body Fluid Identification (32)
- DNA (158)
- DNA Mixtures (37)
- Environmental DNA (2)
- Epigenetic Markers (1)
- Familial DNA & Kinship Analysis (21)
- Lawfully Owed DNA (6)
- Massively Parallel/Next-Generation Sequencing (9)
- Microbial Forensics (12)
- Mitochondrial DNA (12)
- Phenotyping (4)
- Rapid DNA (17)
- Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (10)
- Touch DNA (17)
Molecular Autopsy Implementation Expert Panel
Overview The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) delivered a virtual expert panel discussion focusing on the implementation of molecular autopsies. Dr. Yingying Tang, Director of the OCME Molecular…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle DNA Examination Wordsearch
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers click…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Murder Mystery Event
← Back to Main Page Overview As part of National Forensic Science Week 2023 (September 18-22, 2023), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is offering a murder mystery event! For this year’s murder mystery, we will be reopening a…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle DNA Examination Crossword
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers select…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Spot the Differences
← Back to Main Page Overview Attention to detail is an essential skill across forensic disciplines. Can you spot the differences between the original and altered images below? How many differences can you find? Game Instructions How to Play (Online): …
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle In the Courtroom Wordsearch
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers click…
2023 Graduate Research Symposium and Poster Session
← Back to Main Page Overview This event originally occurred on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Welcome to the 2023 Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium and Poster Session hosted by the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE)! In 2022, the FTCOE…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle In the Courtroom Crossword
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers select…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle Crime Scene Examination Crossword
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers select…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle Crime Scene Examination Wordsearch
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers click…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Interview Montage
← Back to Main Page Overview In the past, the FTCOE has released written interviews with forensic practitioners in various stages of their career and working in various forensic disciplines. This year, we created a video comprised of multiple interviews with forensic practitioners from seasoned subject matter experts to young professionals early…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzles
← Back to Main Page Overview Each day, the FTCOE will release a crossword and wordsearch puzzle with fun forensic science themes that incorporate some terminology trivia and stress relieving activities for all ages. Find the Terms wordsearches offer a…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Teacher How-To Guides
← Back to Main Page Overview Calling all science teachers! Are you looking for fun, forensic activities and experiments that you can use with your class or share with fellow forensic science enthusiasts? This year for National Forensic Science Week,…
2023 National Forensic Science Week
Overview National Forensic Science Week (September 18-22, 2023) 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…
Just DNA Searches in CODIS
Original Release Date: April 21, 2023 In episode three of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Orlando Salinas, Lieutenant Trampas Gooding, and Jennifer Pollock from the Texas Department of Public Safety to discuss…
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…
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)…
Solving Violent Crime Through Lawfully “Owed” DNA: Outcomes of Efforts to Address Missed DNA Samples
← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 11, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Lawfully owed DNA procedures have an immeasurable impact on the criminal justice system. Procedures do not fall on just one discipline in the…
Just DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: April 7, 2023 In episode one of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, to discuss how large-scale data collection can…
Exploring the Link Between Dating Apps and Sexual Assault: Novel Research Findings
← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 4, 2023 Duration: 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…
ASCLD All Resources
Overview Through a partnership with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence has provided a variety of webinars, podcasts, reports, and tools covering a wide array of topics. Webinars ASCLD Train the Director…
2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series: Novel Research on Sexual Assault
Overview This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will be releasing a series of webinars covering topics related to novel research on various sexual assault topics. Tune in as our presenters discuss…
Just Managing Mass Fatality Incidents
Original Release Date: February 17, 2023 In episode four of our Unidentified Human Remains mini season, Just Science sat down with Katharine Pope, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, and Elissia Conlon, a Special Advisor to the New…
2023 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 14, 2023 at the 75th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)…
Just Investigative Support for Indigenous Communities
Original Release Date: February 10, 2023 In episode three of our Unidentified Human Remains mini season, Just Science sat down with Mark Pooley, founder of Native Search Solutions, and Dustin Driscoll, Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, to discuss…
Just DNA Results in Rapid Time
Original Release Date: February 3, 2023 In episode two of our Unidentified Human Remains mini season, Just Science sat down with Neal Parsons, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, to discuss how rapid DNA analysis has become an important…
2022 Year in Review
A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence Another year in the books, and so much has happened! In 2022, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted various virtual events and delivered numerous online resources – including 6…
Just Identifying Lake Erie John Doe
Original Release Date: December 16, 2022 In the final episode of our Case Studies: Part 2 mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Thomas Gilson, Dr. Harmeet Kaur, and Hristina Lekova with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, to…
Just Identifying Gacy’s Victims Part 2
Original Release Date: December 9, 2022 In episode three of our Case Studies: Part 2 mini season, Just Science sat down again with Jason Moran, Commander of Police at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, to continue discussing how his Forensic…
Just Identifying Gacy’s Victims Part 1
Original Release Date: December 2, 2022 In episode two of our Case Studies: Part 2 mini season, Just Science sat down with Jason Moran, Commander of Police at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, to discuss how he and his colleagues…
A Review of Legislation Associated With Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Date September 2022 Overview Convicted offender DNA sample collection laws vary in each state in terms of what type of offense obligates an offender to provide a sample, whether a conviction should be the trigger for sample collection, and which…
2022 National Forensic Science Week FTCOE Student Research Poster Session
← Back to Main Page Overview Thursday, September 22, 2022 | Posters will be available at 1:00 PM Eastern Welcome to our virtual poster session! As fall semester begins and in honor of National Forensic Science Week (September 18-24, 2022),…
2022 NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium
← Back to Main Page Overview This event originally occurred on September 20, 2022 Duration: 2 hours The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has long hosted an annual Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium in which NIJ grantees present their…
2022 National Forensic Science Week Murder Mystery Event
← Back to Main Page Overview As a part of National Forensic Science Week 2022 (September 18-24, 2022), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is offering a murder mystery event! Each day of the week, a new evidence-based clue…
2022 National Forensic Science Week Ask an Expert
← Back to Main Page Overview The FTCOE has conducted a variety of written interviews with forensic professionals in various forensic science disciplines. From digital evidence to trace analysis and medicolegal death investigation to DNA analysis, the FTCOE showcases real-world…
2022 National Forensic Science Week
Overview National Forensic Science Week (September 18-24, 2022) 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…
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…
Just Identifying Individuals with Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Original Release Date: September 9, 2022 In episode one of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Heather McKiernan, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, and Ashley Rodriguez, a Research Public…
Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool for Labor Expenditure Associated With Sexual Assault Kit Processing Workflows
Overview Laboratories can use different workflows to process sexual assault kit (SAK) evidence, and the workflow is often selected based on available resources. In an era of constrained local and state budgets, this cost-benefit analysis (CBA) tool provides a critical…
Just Solving Cold Cases with Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Original Release Date: August 26, 2022 In episode four of our Case Studies: Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Leighton D’Antoni, the Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, Texas, to discuss how forensic genetic genealogy was used…
Hair Root Staining – What Can Hematoxylin Do for Your Laboratory?
This webinar originally occurred on August 16, 2022 Duration: 1 hour Overview Hair evidence collected as part of a forensic investigation has the potential to provide valuable source information through DNA analysis of its root. In the years prior to…
Interlaboratory Comparison of SpermX and Conventional Differential Extractions
This webinar originally occurred on August 11, 2022 Duration: 1 hour Overview Scientists from three participating laboratories – University of Central Florida (UCF), Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), and InnoGenomics (IGT) – presented results obtained from mock…
Human Factors in Forensic Science Practice
This webinar originally occurred on June 21, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview Human factors may encompass any way in which people’s psychological or physiological attributes affect a system or process. Physiological considerations include things like the ergonomics of laboratory workstations or…
Just the Components of Forensic Biology and DNA
Original Release Date: June 3, 2022 In episode five of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Robin Cotton, Director of the Master of Science Program in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University School of…
A Landscape Study Examining Technologies and Automation for Differential Extraction and Sperm Separation for Sexual Assault Investigations
Date May 2022 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides valuable resources that promote the use of technologies in the forensic community. Differential extraction is a technique that allows…
Things Are Not What They Seem: A Collection of Interesting Case Studies from the Medical Examiner Scene Queens
← Back to Unseen Threats Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on May 19, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview With the rise of illicit fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, synthetic cathinones, xylazine, and other substances adulterating many traditional street drugs, users often have…
Unseen Threats: A Webinar Series from the AAFS Opioids and Emerging Drugs Ad-Hoc Committee
Overview This webinar series is based on the one-day workshop (“Unseen Threats”) that was sponsored by the Opioids and Emerging Drugs Ad-Hoc Committee at the 2022 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Meeting. To follow up on this workshop,…
Strangulation in Sexual Assault Cases: Considerations for Evidence Collection and Supporting Healing
← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on April 14, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview In addition to providing medical care and support to victims of sexual assault, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) collect…
Sexual Assault Kit Evidence Tracking: The Idaho State Police Forensic Services Experience
← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on April 7, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview The Idaho State Police Forensic Services agency has designed a sexual assault kit evidence tracking system to effectively track…
2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series: Exploring Current Trends in Sexual Assault Response
Overview This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will be releasing a series of webinars covering topics related to sexual assault response reform. Tune in as our presenters discuss sexual assault kit…
2022 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 March 1st & 2nd, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern.…
Just a Trauma-Informed Response to At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: February 25, 2022 In the final episode of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Lieutenant Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss at-home sexual assault kits through a victim-centered…
2022 Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Virtual Library
← Back to the HHRRC Special Initiative 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), hosted…
Just a Prosecutor’s Perspective on At-Home Kits
Original Release Date: February 18, 2022 In episode seven of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Patti Powers, an attorney advisor at AEquitas and a former senior deputy prosecuting attorney in Washington state,…
Just Analyzing At-Home Kits
Original Release Date: February 11, 2022 In episode six of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Jay Henry, the former Crime Laboratory Director of the Utah Department of Public Safety. Mr. Henry, an…
Just Key Considerations for Investigations of Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: February 4, 2022 In episode five of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Scott Mourtgos, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Utah, a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) LEADS…
Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence
Original Release Date: January 28, 2022 In episode four of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Laurieann Thorpe, the Executive Director at Prevent Child Abuse Utah, to continue our discussion on at-home sexual…
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) delivered 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 on Research…
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. With…
Molecular Identification of Insects Relevant to Medicolegal Casework
This webinar originally occurred on December 2, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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…
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
← 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…
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 offered a murder mystery event! Each day of the week, a new evidence-based clue was revealed on the website…
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
← Back to Main Page 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…
Just Partially Tested Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: August 27, 2021 In episode seven of our 2021 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…
Just Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 20, 2021 In episode six of our 2021 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…
Just Advocacy for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 13, 2021 In episode five of our 2021 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…
Just a Cost Benefit Analysis of Sexual Assault Investigation
Original Release Date: August 6, 2021 In episode four of our 2021 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…
AFDAA 2021 Summer Meeting
Overview 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…
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…
Just Touch DNA and Sexual Assault Groping Cases
Original Release Date: July 23, 2021 In episode two of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the College…
Just Lawfully Owed DNA
Original Release Date: July 16, 2021 In episode one of our 2021 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…
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…
Just the Impression and Pattern/Trace Evidence Portfolio
Original Release Date: June 11, 2021 In episode two of our 2021 NIJ R&D and Beyond mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Gregory Dutton, a physical scientist in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at the National Institute of Justice, to discuss NIJ’s Impression, Pattern, and Trace…
Microhaplotypes: A Comprehensive Forensic DNA Marker
This webinar originally occurred on June 22, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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…
Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Groping and Sexual Assault Cases
Publication Journal of Forensic Nursing, April 2021 Authors Julie L. Valentine, Ph.D., RN, CNE, SANE-A, FAAN | Brigham Young University Paige Presler-Jur, M.S. | RTI International Heather Mills, MSFS | Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Suzanne Miles, B.S. | Utah…
Perspectives on Addressing the Collection, Tracking, and Processing of Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Date April 2021 Overview 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 convicted…
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 Eastern to 5:40 PM Eastern. 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
← 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…
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
This webinar originally occurred on March 11, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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…
Sexual Assault Response Fact Sheets
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is leading an effort to organize and transfer knowledge and best practices of sexual assault response to the criminal justice community. Whether through webinars, podcast episodes, reports, or conferences, the FTCOE is working…
Utility of Microbes in Forensic Science
This webinar originally occurred on January 20, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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 Forensic Technology Center of Excellence 2020 was a big year for the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. With five podcast seasons, a full research and development symposium, our first virtual conference, eight reports, and over thirty…
Emerging Methods for Body Fluid Analysis
This webinar originally occurred on January 14, 2021 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview 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…
Just the Grim Sleeper Serial Killer
Original Release Date: December 4, 2020 In episode five of the 2020 Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Rockne Harmon, forensic consultant and former senior deputy district attorney for Alameda County in California, to talk about familial DNA…
An Automated Single Cell Separation Technique to Improve Mixture Deconvolution
This webinar originally occurred on November 12, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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
This webinar originally occurred on August 20, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Overview DNA recovered from forensic and ancient DNA (aDNA) sources is generally expected to be in low copy number and degraded in strand length. However, considering the following equation,…
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
Overview In October 2020, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (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…
Just Forensic Genetic Genealogy and GEDmatch: Verogen’s Approach
Original Release Date: September 25, 2020 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…
PACE™: Rapid and Automated Artifact Identification and Number of Contributor Prediction
This webinar originally occurred on July 28, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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 of contributors…
Validation and Tutorial of NOCIt for Determining the Number of Contributors
This webinar originally occurred on July 14, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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 result in an…
Just Mitochondrial DNA
Original Release Date: May 8, 2020 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…
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…
2019 National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium
Date February 2019 Overview The 2019 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Science Research and Development (R&D) Symposium is intended to promote collaboration and enhance knowledge transfer of NIJ-funded research. The NIJ Forensic Science R&D Program funds both basic or…
The Time to Analyze is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on January 29, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview 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 Date November 2019 Overview Implementing DNA technology in crime laboratories has led to the intensification of backlogged cases and a concomitant pressure to implement backlog reduction strategies.…
ASCLD Train the Director – Investigative Genetic Genealogy: Background and Crime Lab Strategy
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on January 23, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Investigative Genetic Genealogy is a recently developed technique that generates new leads on previously unsolved cases where DNA from the suspect is present at…
Just the Impact of Lawfully-Owed DNA Collection
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: November 6, 2019 In episode eight of our 2019 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…
Just USACIL and Direct-to-DNA
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 31, 2019 In episode seven of our 2019 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…
Just Improving Workflow Efficiency
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 24, 2019 In episode six of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science interviews Leslie Parke and Jamie Haas of Signature Science, a private DNA laboratory based in Austin, Texas, about increasing…
MPS Workflow Through Simulation Tool
Overview At the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Minneapolis, MN on September 26, 2016, the NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) presented at a workshop that provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn best practices to…
Just the Golden State Killer
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 16, 2019 In episode five of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science continues the conversation from last week’s episode with Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter, where she shared her techniques for creating…
Just Investigative Genetic Genealogy
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 10, 2019 In episode four of our 2019 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…
Just Lean Six Sigma and Your Lab
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 1, 2019 In episode three of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science interviews Julie Sikorsky, Forensic Biology Unit Manager at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, about her experience introducing…
Just Genetic Variation
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: September 24, 2019 In episode two of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science interviews Dr. Kenneth Kidd, Professor Emeritus of Genetics at Yale University, about his research in genetics. Dr. Kenneth Kidd…
Just DNA and the Post-Conviction Dynamic
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: September 16, 2019 In episode one of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science interviews Chris Asplen, Executive Director of National Criminal Justice Association, about the evolution of DNA evidence. Listen along…
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
This webinar originally occurred on May 2nd, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Historically DNA technology has been used as a last resort in the identification of disaster victims. Traditional DNA testing can be a lengthy process and can be costly…
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
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on April 9, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National…
The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on February 27, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview 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 cases and…
In-Brief Report Series: Beyond DNA – Sexual Assault Investigations
Date January 2019 Overview 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, “our nation’s…
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 Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: December 3, 2018 In episode five of our Forensic Advancement season, Just Science interviews Katie Fetherston, Brian Hoey, and Jeremy Triplett, the Laboratory Supervisor for Kentucky State Police to discuss the…
Process and Outcome Evaluation of Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement Program
Date November 2018 Overview 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 justice community.…
A Landscape Study of SOPs to Collect and Process Arrestee and Convicted Offender DNA Samples
Date September 2018 Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is conducting a landscape study and root cause analysis which seeks to (1) identify factors that may result in potential barriers related to the collection, testing, and uploading of…
Advancing Research Initiatives and Combatting the Human Trafficking Epidemic
This webinar originally occurred on November 1, 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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 and technologies…
Estimating Blow Fly Age and Reducing Error in Postmortem Interval Cases
This webinar originally occurred on October 24, 2018 Duration: 2 hours Overview 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 regarding timelines…
New SWGDAM Recommendations on Communicating Likelihood Ratios
This webinar originally occurred on October 18, 2018 Duration: 2 hours Overview 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 their foundations.…
Just Genetic Marker Linkages
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: September 10, 2018 In episode six of our 2018 NIJ R&D Season, Just Science speaks with Dr. Michael Edge of UC Davis about his research with record linkage of CODIS profiles…
Making a Forensic Scientist: A Recipe for Success
This webinar originally occurred on September 21, 2018 Duration: 2 hours Overview 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 Forensic Science…
Mixtures, Microhaps, and Modeling, Oh My!! Cutting-Edge Research in Forensic DNA Analysis from Early-Career Scientists
This webinar originally occurred on September 18, 2018 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview 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 forensic DNA…
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
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: August 20, 2018 In episode three of our 2018 NIJ R&D Season, Just Science speaks with Dr. David Carter, Director and Associate Professor of Forensic Sciences at Chaminade University of Honolulu,…
Just Microhaps Perhaps
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: August 13, 2018 In episode two of our 2018 NIJ R&D Season, Just Science host Dr. John Morgan speaks with human population geneticist Dr. Kenneth Kidd, Professor Emeritus of Genetics and…
Conference Proceedings: 2018 Impression Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium
Date May 2018 Overview From January 22 to 25, 2018, RTI International, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) held the 2018 Impression, Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium (IPTES) in Arlington, VA, to…
Conference Proceedings: 2018 Research and Development Symposium
Date April 2018 Overview The 2018 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Science Research and Development (R&D) Symposium is intended to promote collaboration and enhance knowledge transfer of NIJ-funded research. The NIJ Forensic Science R&D Program funds both basic or…
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
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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…
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
← Back to Series Overview 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…
2018 NIJ R&D Symposium Series Trace Microbiome
← Back to Series Overview Afternoon Session I: Trace Microbiome 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,…
Evaluate Population-Specific Sibship During Kinship Analysis
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview – 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…
Evaluating the Use of DNA Analysis for Family Reunification
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on March 14th, 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview DNA analysis allows for testing relationships (kinship) between two individuals in situations that vary from legal immigration to claimed parentage testing. This webinar focuses…
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Kinship Testing Involving Siblings
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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…
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 Overview 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,…
DNA Methylation-Based Age Prediction & Body Fluid ID
← Back to Series Overview 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…
Just So You Know: Rapid DNA Technology
Original Release Date: November 20, 2017 In this Just So You Know episode of Just Science, we discuss this year’s Rapid DNA forum with Chris Asplen, the Executive Director of the National Criminal Justice Association. The 3-day forum, hosted by…
Rapid DNA Technology Forum
Date November 2017 Overview 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 of commercially…
The Evolution Of SNPs As A Forensic Marker
← Back to Series Overview 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…
Just Case Studies: Derrick Todd Lee – Baton Rouge Serial Killer
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 23, 2017 In the ninth and final episode of our 2017 Case Studies season, Just Science interviews Ray Wickenheiser, director of the New York State Police lab system and current…
2018 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 20th, 2018 at the 70th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences…
Predict Human Appearance From DNA Focusing On Pigmentation
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on October 25, 2017 Duration: 2 hours Overview 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…
Just Case Studies: A Gruesome Murder in Mesa
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: October 2, 2017 In the sixth episode of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Kimberly Meza from Mesa Police Department during the annual ASCLD symposium held in Dallas,…
Familial DNA: A series of reports released by the National Institute of Justice [2017]
Overview 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 –…
Just Case Studies: A Child’s Injustice
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: September 11, 2017 In the second episode of our Case Studies season, Just Science spoke with Andrew Greenfield, Deputy Director of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, about a case from Canada…
FORENSIC DNA: THE BEGINNING OF THE SNP ERA
Overview 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…
Record Linkage of CODIS Profiles with SNP Genotypes
← Back to Series Overview 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…
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
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: May 22, 2017 In the fifth episode of Just Science, guest speaker Dr. Catherine Grgicak discusses DNA Mixture interpretation,currently a hot topic in forensic science. Dr. Grgicak and her colleagues at Boston University…
2016 National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium
Date July 2016 Overview The 2016 NIJ Research and Development Symposium is intended to promote collaboration and enhance knowledge transfer of NIJ-funded research. The NIJ Research and Development (R&D) Program funds both basic or applied R&D projects that will (1)…
Conference Proceedings: 2015 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence Symposium
Date December 2015 Overview 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…
Furensics – Animal DNA in Criminal Investigations
This webinar originally occurred on June 29, 2017 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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. Also included…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Standards and Guidelines Part 2
This webinar originally occurred on May 25, 2017 Duration: 2 hours Overview 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 a wider…
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
Overview 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,…
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
Overview 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. A certificate…
Basics of Microbiology as they Apply to Forensics
Overview Dr. Bruce Budowle, of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Dr. Dana Kadavy, Director of Biological Sciences at Signature Science, LLC, presented on microbiology, pathogens, human microbiome, and genetic engineering/synthetic biology. Participants will gain a better…
In-Brief: Applying Internal Validation Guidelines for Expanded STR Loci Kits
Date January 2017 Overview 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 to internally…
A Guidance Document on the Forensic Application of Massively Parallel Sequencing
Date December 2016 Overview 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 and…
Microbial Forensics Webinar Series
Date December 2016 Overview In 2016, the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International hosted a three-part webinar series on Microbial Forensics in collaboration with the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). The…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches
Date January 2015 Overview Familial searching (FS) is an additional search of a DNA profile in a law enforcement DNA database that is conducted after a routine search does not identify any profile matches. FS involves a two-phase process, conducted to…
Using Forensics & Biometrics on Human Trafficking
Overview 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…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – The Critical Role of SNPs in the Future of Forensics
Overview 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…
2013 R&D: Tarnished Gold Standard – Part II
Overview 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 Molecules…
2013 R&D: Tarnished Gold Standard – Part I
Overview 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 of…
Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations
Overview 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…
Removing PCR Artifacts in Forensic DNA Analysis
Overview 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,…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Proteomics: Multiplex Assay to Identify Biological Stains
Overview 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…
Next Generation DNA Technologies
Overview 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…
MPS IV – Validation and Applications
Overview 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, which include: training…
MPS III – Bioinformatics
Overview 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. These include: training…
MPS II – The Genetic Marker Potential
Overview 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, which include: training…
MPS I – Understanding the Basic Technology
Overview 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. These include: training…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology Part II
Overview 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…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology – Part I
Overview 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…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Legal Perspective on the Adoption of Advanced Technologies
Overview 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.…
Learning about Microbial Forensics
Overview Dr. Bruce Budowle of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, presented on the basics of microbial forensics, epidemiology and the goals of investigation pertaining to biological crimes and bioterrorism. Participants gained a better understanding of the history…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – HD SNP Array for Forensic Casework
Overview 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…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part IV
Overview 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…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part III
Overview 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…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part II
Overview 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:…
Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part I
Overview 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…
Familial DNA Database Search System
Overview 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…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Emerging Technologies for Human Remains Identification
Overview 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. A certificate…
DNA RADAR™ Innovations in Human Identification
Overview 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. A certificate of completion…
Developing a Dynamic Model of the DNA Lab Process
Overview 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. A certificate of completion is available for all who register and…
ASCLD Webinar Series: FBI Allele Frequency – Managers & Legal Overview
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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: FBI Allele Frequency Amendments – Technical Discussion
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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Discipline
Overview 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 basic overview…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA, the QAS and NDIS Part I
Overview 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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA Part III
Overview 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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Rapid DNA Part II
Overview 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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Mixtures Technical Overview
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…
ASCLD Webinar Series: DNA Mixtures Managers Overview
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…
Genome ID Forum 2014 – Applications of Emerging Technologies NIST
Overview 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…
A General Framework for the Estimation of Likelihood Ratios
Overview This talk provides a very general framework for the estimation of likelihood ratios using similarity or dissimilarity scores resulting from a comparison of two patterns that overcome this deficiency for suitably chosen similarity measures. In such instances, the likelihood…
2017 NIJ R&D Series Forensic Biology & DNA
Overview The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium was a free and open meeting where attendees learned about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. Morning Session II – Forensic Biology & DNA Speakers & Presentations for…
2016 NIJ R&D Series Forensic Biology & DNA
Overview 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…
A Landscape Study of DNA Mixture Interpretation Software
Date October 2015 Overview Due to the influx of complex mixture data, the need for mixture interpretation software tools is of growing importance to the forensic DNA community. Given the availability of open-source and commercial software options, crime laboratories must…
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 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 has…
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…