Introduction

Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Special Initiative

Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Special Initiative

Overview

The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC) seeks to utilize the assets of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) to promote the application of contemporary forensic science and forensic medicine principles to global humanitarian and/or human rights projects requiring special assistance. The Center is funded in part through the National Institute of Justice’s FTCoE.

HHRRC projects are those selected for support by the International Advisory Council of the HHRRC and can include research applied to humanitarian and human rights projects, training materials and equipment, and advising or subject matter expertise. The HHRRC also aims to provide support and encouragement to AAFS members to increase their engagement in applying contemporary forensic science to global humanitarian matters.

In addition to direct support for forensic studies, the HHRRC provides access to publications and educational materials to disseminate knowledge on the issues and application of contemporary forensic science and forensic medical principles. The HHRRC assists projects by making laboratory and analysis equipment available. To strengthen the available pool of advisors, the HHRRC established a database of volunteers willing to assist and make a difference in global humanitarian issues and possible violations of human rights.

Poster Sessions

2024 AAFS HHRRC Poster Session

The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center’s in-person Poster Session was held on February 20, 2024, at the 76th AAFS Annual Scientific Conference in Denver, Colorado. Attendance required conference registration. For those who could not attend in-person, a virtual poster library is included on the FTCOE website here. A selection of digital PDF posters along with short audio/video presentations from HHRRC poster session participants are accessible below and will remain archived on the website as a virtual library for future viewing purposes.

Click here to view the virtual poster library and learn about the application of forensic science to investigate humanitarian and human rights injustices!


2023 AAFS HHRRC Poster Session

The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center’s in-person Poster Session was held on February 14, 2023, at the 75th AAFS Annual Scientific Conference in Orlando, Florida. Attendance required conference registration. For those who could not attend in-person, a virtual poster library is included on the FTCOE website here. This virtual library, which includes digital posters and short video presentations, is free to attend and will remain archived on the FTCOE website for future viewing purposes.

Click here to view the virtual poster library and learn about the application of forensic science to investigate humanitarian and human rights injustices!


2022 AAFS HHRRC Poster Session

The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center hybrid virtual and in-person Poster Session was held on February 22, 2022. The virtual Poster Session, which included a digital poster and a short video presentation, was free to attend and is available on the FTCOE website. The in-person poster session was hosted at the 2022 AAFS Annual Scientific Conference in Seattle, Washington and required registration to the conference in order to attend.

Click here to view the poster session and learn about the application of forensic science to investigate humanitarian and human rights injustices!


2021 AAFS HHRRC Virtual Poster Session

The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Virtual Poster Session was hosted on February 16, 2021 as part of the 2021 Virtual AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting. This Poster Session was an open meeting where attendees were able to virtually interact and ask questions to HHRRC researchers to learn more about the important projects funded by the AAFS HHRRC.

Click here to view the virtual poster session showcasing materials and a special message from the HHRRC chair Dr. Dawnie Steadman!


2020 AAFS HHRRC Poster & Networking Session

The inaugural Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Poster and Networking Session was hosted on February 18th at the 2020 AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting in Anaheim, CA. This Poster Session was an open meeting where over 200 attendees met HHRRC researchers and mentors in the field to learn about the application of forensic science to investigate humanitarian and human rights injustices.

Click here to view the virtual poster session showcasing materials and a special message from the HHRRC chair Dr. Dawnie Steadman!


Related Resources

2017 Webinar Series Summary Report

The FTCOE in collaboration with HHRRC hosted a four-part webinar series HHRRC projects addressing forensic applications and recent advanced of global humanitarian and human rights projects requiring HHRRC assistance. This in-brief report highlights the content of the webinar series and the reception of the series by the forensic science community. Click here to read the full report! 


Funding for this initiative has been provided by Forensic Technology Center of Excellence and the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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


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