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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U.S. National Footwear Database System Feasibility Study
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Eastern Duration: 1 hour Overview Shoeprints at crime scenes, along with suspects’ footwear, are routinely collected and analyzed by qualified examiners in crime laboratories and forensic units to identify, include,…
A Unique Approach to a Crime Gun Intelligence Center with the Inclusion and Support of 3D Virtual Comparison Technologies
Thursday, February 10, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Overview Any effective Crime Gun Intelligence Program relies on the expeditious processing of firearms-related evidence to achieve the goal of intelligence led firearms-based…
2022 Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum
Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) will be delivering a four-day, no-cost, virtual Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum on January 11-14, 2022. It is a pivotal time for the…
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.…
The Effect of Time on Rusted Firearm Identification
← Back to Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on January 6th, 2022 Duration: 1 hour Since the development of early firearms in the mid-1200s, the best material for making critical parts for weapons has been iron-based…
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…
Just Advanced Capabilities in Firearm and Toolmark Analysis
Original Release Date: December 3, 2021 In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Nicole Jones, the Director of the Forensic Science Translation and Implementation Program in the Center for Forensic Sciences at RTI International, and John Grassel,…
Two-Pronged Study of Bullets Fired by Consecutively Rifled Barrels
← Back to Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on December 16th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour The 2016 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report brought forensics, and specifically firearms identification, into the spotlight…
Glock Pistol Toolmarks: A Literature Review and Introduction of Undocumented Toolmarks
← Back to Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on December 14th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Glock pistols are well known for their generally distinctive class characteristics and the numerous toolmarks that they create on fired cartridge…
Exploration of Breech Face Subclass Characteristics
← Back to Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on December 9th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Subclass characteristics are caused by damage, defects, and/or wear on a cutting tool that transfers to a small group of consecutively manufactured…
Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series
Overview With the implementation of new technologies like 3D virtual microscopy, updates to the language used in testimony and reporting, and new research including black box studies, it is a pivotal time for the forensic pattern disciplines, especially firearm and…
FLN-TWG: 3D Imaging for Firearms and Toolmarks
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 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…
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…
Success Story: LatentSleuth: A Case Study on the Impact of Federal R&D Funding
National Institute of Justice and the Latent Print Research Community Date September 2021 Overview The development of technologies to improve the objective collection, analysis, and interpretation of evidence is driven by the multiple stakeholders that make up the forensic science…
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
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…
Footwear Evidence Conclusions: A Discussion of Standards, Recommendations, and Structure
This webinar originally occurred on September 30th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour It can be challenging to write reliable, accurate conclusions that meet the expectations of stakeholders that oversee and use footwear evidence reports. Some of the challenges associated with drafting…
Best Practices for Digital Image Processing
This webinar originally occurred on August 5th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour In the criminal justice community, digital images are used for scientific analysis and comparison. Unfortunately, many digital images are not always captured with the necessary clarity required for the…
Image Quality and Clarity: The Keys to Forensic Digital Image Processing
This webinar originally occurred on August 3rd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour The ability to accurately and reliably analyze and compare forensic digital images relies on two key elements: image quality and image clarity. Most forensic examiners understand that resolution plays…
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…
A Comprehensive Look at LatentSleuth
This webinar originally occurred on June 8th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour LatentSleuth is a novel software toolset designed for (and with direct feedback from) latent print examiners. The toolset includes a small-scale automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) matcher that leverages a novel matching algorithm…
ASCLD Train the Director – Firearms 3D Technology: Advantages and Value for Implementing 3D Technologies
This webinar originally occurred on June 2nd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour This presentation demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating 3D technology into the forensic firearms/toolmarks discipline and the decision analysis used for selecting samples for virtual comparison. In 2009, a report…
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…
Lessons Learned from Proficiency Test Results in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
This webinar originally occurred on April 15th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour The Daubert ruling by the Supreme Court established “the known or potential rate of error” as one of several factors to be used when assessing the scientific reliability or…
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…
Just Off The Shelf Forensics
In the final episode of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Tim Schade and Brian Cochran to discuss off-the-shelf crime scene processing products. Budgetary concerns often plague smaller forensic labs and law enforcement agencies. Scene investigators might realize that some of those expensive forensic tools might not be viable or…
Just Erroneous Identification
In episode seven of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with John Vanderkolk and Marcus Montooth of the Indiana State Police to discuss erroneous identification and the Lana Canen case. In 2005, Lana Canen was convicted as an…
Just Identifying Fingerprints Through Photographs
In episode six of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Karen Oswald, Senior Evidence Specialist with the Suffolk County Police Department in New York, to discuss methods for identifying fingers and hands captured in evidentiary photos. As cellphone and camera technologies continue…
Just Fingerprints And Lasers
In episode four of the Case Studies Season, Just Science sat down with forensic consultant, author, and instructor Brian Dalrymple to discuss his research and impact on the field of latent print identification. In 1977, a team of researchers developed a…
Just the Jodi Arias Case
In episode three of the Case Studies Season, Just Science sat down with Heather Conner, Latent Print Unit Technical Leader in Mesa Police Department’s Forensic Services, about the investigation of a grisly murder in Arizona. In June of 2008, Travis Alexander was found dead…
Just the Story Behind Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
In episode two, Just Science sat down with Erin Sims, Forensic Lab Manager at the Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department, about bloodstain pattern evidence in forensic investigations. Not all crime scenes will have bloodstains. But when they are present, analysts can…
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 Psychopathy and Criminal Behavior
Criminal investigations often necessitate the application of a multitude of forensic disciplines. While some cases can be solved by a single piece of evidence, most have a myriad of evidence types to forward and investigation. Bloodstains, DNA analysis, latent prints, digital evidence, and…
Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning Working Group for Criminal Justice Applications, First Meeting Report
Report Date July 2020 Introduction On February 27 and 28 of 2020, The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) at RTI International, convened the first meeting of the Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning…
Success Story: Advancing 3D Imaging for Footwear and Tire Impressions
National Institute of Justice and Purdue University Date May 2020 Overview Shoeprints and tire tracks are common types of impression evidence found at crime scenes. When a shoe or tire impacts a deformable substrate like soil or snow, it can…
Just a Statistical Approach to Glass Evidence
In episode six of the 2020 R&D Season, Just Science interviews Dr. José Almirall, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida International University, about a statistical approach for the interpretation of glass evidence. One criticism levied against trace evidence examinations…
Results of a Black Box Study on the Accuracy and Reliability of Palm Print Comparisons
Thursday, March 12th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) In 2011, a team of researchers from the FBI and Noblis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the first large-scale black box…
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…
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…
Portable Advanced 3D Imaging for Footwear and Tire Impression Capture
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) This webinar will explain the principles and capabilities of a fully automated portable system with an easy-to use-graphical user interface (GUI) for shoe and tire impression capture. We…
Juror comprehension of forensic expert testimony: A literature review and gap analysis
Heidi Eldridge Report Date Volume 1, 2019, Pages 24-34 Abstract Forensic scientists and commentators including academics and statisticians have been embroiled in a debate over the best way to present evidence in the courtroom. Various forms of evidence presentation, both quantitative…
Cradle to Cane: Investigation of Crimes Against Vulnerable Victims
Overview: In 2017, the National Institute of Justice, Charleston Southern University, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, and the Shaken Baby Alliance worked together to create and host “From Cradle to Cane: Investigation of Crimes Against Vulnerable Victims.” This two-day conference, held in Charleston, SC, focused…
Identification: Just the Double Loop Podcast Crossover
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Double Loop Podcast Crossover In episode nine of the Identification season, Just Science sits down with Heidi Eldridge, from RTI international, along with Eric Ray and Glenn Langenburg, the co-hosts of the Double Loop Podcast, to discuss the…
Identification: Just Forensic Technician Vicarious Trauma
<<< back to all podcasts Just Forensic Technician Vicarious Trauma In episode eight of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Selena McKay-Davis, lead senior forensic specialist at Riverside Police Department, about job-related stress for forensic technicians and sworn peace officers.…
Identification: Just Forensic Microanthropology
<<< back to all podcasts Just Forensic Microanthropology In episode seven of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Carlos Gutierrez, a lecturer at Chaminade University of Honolulu, about the new field of Forensic Microanthropology. After finding an unidentified bone, forensic…
Identification: Just Improvised Explosive Devices
<<< back to all podcasts Just Improvised Explosive Devices In episode six of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Hillary Daluz, an instructor for Tritech Forensics and author on latent print analysis. From soda cans and cigarette packs to animal…
Identification: Just 19 Hours and 300 miles
<<< back to all podcasts Just 19 Hours and 300 miles In episode five of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Erin Sims, Lab Manager of the Forensic Identification Unit for the Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department, about a case involving…
HHRRC – Building Forensic Capacity Post-Conflict: Lessons from Uganda
This webinar originally occurred on March 28th, 2019Duration: 1.5 hours This presentation introduces research conducted in Uganda at the nexus of forensic science and transitional justice, highlighting a large-scale forensic investigation and human identification capacity-building workshop for Ugandan stakeholders. Detailed…
Success Story: Advancing 3D Virtual Microscopy for Firearm Forensics
National Institute of Justice and Cadre Forensics Date March 2019 Overview Examining bullets and cartridge cases from crime scenes can help link crimes, moving investigators one step closer to identifying a suspect. Firearm forensic analysis can also link recovered evidence…
Identification: Just the Molalla Forest Serial Killer
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Molalla Forest Serial Killer In episode four of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Robert Thompson, Senior Forensic Science Research Manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, about his role in…
Identification: Just a Modified Direct to DNA Approach to Sexual Assault Kit Testing
<<< back to all podcasts Just a Modified Direct to DNA Approach to Sexual Assault Kit Testing In episode three of the Identification season, Just Science interviews forensic biologist Caitlin Rogers. Forensic scientists are always looking to improve the efficiency…
Identification: Just Drawing Knowledge from a Forensic Artist
<<< back to all podcasts Just Drawing Knowledge from a Forensic Artist In episode two of the Identification season, Just Science interviews Suzanne Birdwell, a forensic artist with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the current Chair of the…
Emerging Research in Firearms and Toolmarks
This webinar originally occurred on February 26th, 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…
Identification: Just the Sole of Impression Pattern Evidence
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Sole of Impression Pattern Evidence The Identification season of Just Science will focus on many of the different aspects of identification in forensic investigations. A majority of these interviews were recorded at the…
ASCLD Train the Director – NIBIN Challenges and Opportunities
This webinar originally occurred on January 24th, 2019 Duration: 1 hour This is the first webinar in the ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series. Crime Gun Intelligence utilizes evidence-based technology to provide law enforcement a unique tool to develop information…
ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence event has been provided by the National Institute of Justice. Please contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org for any questions. Please subscribe to our newsletter for notifications. Related Content
Psychological Survival in a Violent Career
This webinar (Part One) originally occurred in 2018 Duration: 1.5 hours A follow-up webinar (Part Two) originally occurred on May 30th, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Dr. David Christiansen discussed some of the relevant issues which affect law enforcement officers, firefighters,…
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…
Small Bloodstains on Textiles – What Can They Tell Us?
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 1:00:00 PM EDT – 2:00:00 PM EDT Duration: 1 hour(s) This webinar will explore the interaction of blood with the multiple structures that occur within a simple textile and how these structures affect small bloodstains. One…
Conference Proceedings: 2018 Impression Pattern and Trace Evidence 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…
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…
Just Talking Testimony
Just Talking Testimony In this special episode of the IPTES season recorded live in Crystal City, Just Science covers the panel titled, “Statistics and Testimony from the Practitioner and Juror Point of View.” Moderators for the panel were Dr. John…
Computerized Reconstruction of Fragmentary Skeletal Remains
In this webinar, we will introduce a newly developed software tool called “Fragmento”. Viewers will be able to learn how to use Fragmento to sort and assemble skeletal fragmentary remains and reconstruct the full bone and biological profile. In forensic…
Forensic Wood Identification
REPORT DATE April 2018 REPORT SUMMARY Trace evidence represents any small-scale material that could be changed or transferred from a person, object, or environment during the commission of a crime; wood examination is one specialty area of this forensic discipline.…
Statistical Interpretation Software for Friction Ridge Skin Impressions (FRStat)
REPORT DATE April 2018 REPORT SUMMARY The Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) developed FRStat in response to criticisms from legal and scientific commentators on the lack of an empirically demonstrable basis to substantiate conclusions in pattern evidence. This tool is…
Just Bayesian Brawl
Just Bayesian Brawl In episode nine of the IPTES season, Just Science is covering the Statistical Approaches to Forensic Interpretation panel, recorded live at IPTES. Moderators for the panel was your host, Dr. John Morgan, from RTI International and Dr.…
Just Handwriting Statistics
Just Handwriting Statistics In episode eight of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Cami Fuglsby, from South Dakota State University, to discuss Sufficiency and Complexity Factors in Handwriting Examination. Did you know that increasing the size of the document improves…
Just Consecutively Manufactured Toolmarks
Just Consecutively Manufactured Toolmarks In episode seven of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Robert Thompson, a Senior Forensic Science Research Manager at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). Mr. Thompson discusses his research on consecutively manufactured barrels…
Just Footwear Size Does Matter
Just Footwear Size Does Matter In episode six of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Chris Hamburg, from the Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division, and Jeff Jagmin from the WSP Crime Laboratory Division in Seattle. Our guests discuss the…
Just Geeking Out on Patterns
Just Geeking Out on Patterns In episode five of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews John Vanderkolk from the Indiana State Laboratory. In a previous episode, Vanderkolk used the term Nature’s patterns, now he will discuss the philosophy behind the…
Just Shoeprint Statistics
Just Shoeprint Statistics In episode four of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Andrew Kimble, a student at Albany State University. Mr. Kimble explains his research in how incorporating statistical models in forensic shoeprint analysis can assist in identification. This…
Just A Juror’s Perception
Just A Juror’s Perception In episode three of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Dr. Alicia Wilcox from Husson University and Heidi Eldridge from RTI International. Our guests discuss how visual aid and other tactics have been proven to help…
Just Fracture Matches
Just Fracture Matches In episode two of the 2018 IPTES season, Just Science interviews Dr. Ashraf Bastawros from Iowa State University. Dr. Bastawros discusses how fracture mechanics principles can be used with statistical learning tools to give quantitative results. Explore the mind of an engineer and hear how leveraging other disciplines can aid forensic…
Just Nature’s Patterns
Just Nature’s Patterns Season three, episode one of Just Science kicks off with our host, Dr. John Morgan, interviewing John Vanderkolk from the Indiana State Crime Laboratory. Vanderkolk discusses his belief in the importance of challenging your teachers and how…
2018 IPTES Plenary – Closing Keynote Speaker Adam Benforado
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Impression & Pattern Breakout – Day 2 PM
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Impression & Pattern Breakout Day 2 AM – Part 2
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Impression & Pattern Breakout Day 2 AM – Part 1
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Impression & Pattern Breakout Day 1 PM
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/24/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES Plenary – Statistics & Testimony From Practitioner
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.This original Live Webinar took place on 01/24/2018. The National Institute of Justice…
Just Case Studies: Two Murders, One Trace Fiber
Two Murders, One Trace Fiber In episode eight, Season two, Just Science interviews Dr. Jan De Kinder, from the National institute of Forensic science and criminology in the Belgium Department of Justice. Dr. De Kinder explores how trace evidence was a…
Just Case Studies: From Teeth to Trafficking
From Teeth to Trafficking In Episode Seven, Season two, Just Science interviews Dr. John Kenney, who is also a member of the American Academy of Forensic Science, during the Cradle to Cane Conference held in Charleston South Carolina. Dr. Kenny…
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…
Just Case Studies: Atlanta Olympic Bombing
Atlanta Olympic Bombing Season two, episode five of Just Science interviews John Collins during the annual ASCLD symposium in Dallas, Texas. This episode takes us back to a time when the United States was hosting the summer Olympics, in Atlanta,…
Just Blood Spatter
Just Blood Spatter In episode nine of Just Science, funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence , we spoke with Dr. Marc Smith, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Smith’s NIJ funded research in blood spatter has connected computational…
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…
Conference Proceedings: 2015 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence 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…
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…
Forensic Optical Topography Working Group
Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), in partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), convened the Forensic Optical Topography Working Group on March 17–18, 2015 at the NIST campus in…
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…
Understanding Basic Statistical Concepts: Fingerprints
Fingerprint conclusions are expert judgments. These specific types of judgments may be more appropriately termed as inferences, or subjective probabilities, where frequency rates have not been able to be calculated. For over a hundred years researchers have attempted to mathematically…
The Emperor’s New Clothes: A Guide to Latent Print Testimony
In the tale of the Emperor’s New Clothes, a vain emperor commissions a new set of robes that he is told will be invisible to anyone who does not deserve his position, or is extraordinarily stupid or foolish. Of course,…
The Basics of Error Rates in Pattern Evidence
Originally presented at the 2015 Impression, Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium. One of the Daubert prongs of admissibility for scientific expert testimony is the known or potential error rate of a technique. Thus, examiners are often asked about the discipline…
Swipes, Wipes and Transfer Impressions
Swipes, wipes and transfer impressions are the only bloodstain patterns not created by blood in flight (with the exception of flowing blood). The patterns adhere to Locard’s principle which states that when two objects come in contact with each other…
R&D 2014 – Fundamental Forensic Science Research-Part II
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Quantitative Metrics of Friction Ridge Detail Derived from Information Theory by Thomas Busey • Definition of the Concept of Sufficiency in Latent Print Examination by Cedric…
R&D 2014 – Fundamental Forensic Science Research – Part I
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Review on some Fluid Dynamics Aspects of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – Daniel Attinger • From Basic Research to Routine Use in the Courtroom: Elemental Analysis and…
Shooting Reconstruction: 4 Elements of Trajectory
A key part of any shooting incident reconstruction is the determination of a projectile’s trajectory through items at the scene. The path of a bullet hole has 4 main elements that require measurement, estimation, or other determination where possible. Variables…
New Paradigm for Fingerprint Reporting
In November 2015, the Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) issued an Information Paper announcing the decision to cease the use of the terms “individualization” and “identification” in latent print technical reports and expert witness testimony.This webinar provided an opportunity for…
Magneto-Optical Sensor Roundtable
The discovery of more effective methods to detect and restore erased markings in firearms is of great interest to firearm examiners, in particular the invention of new nondestructive methods. Magneto optical (MO) sensor technology may address this need. Earlier in…
Latent Fingerprints: Reducing Erroneous Exclusions
This presentation discusses reducing erroneous exclusions in latent fingerprints. The exclusion decision is a fairly recent change in latent print comparisons, and the discipline is still struggling with how to handle exclusions. Erroneous exclusions are being discovered with surprising frequency…
Latent Fingerprints: Developing Methods and New Technology
The first presentation given by Mark Dadmun is titled: Developing Methods to Improve the Quality and Efficiency of Latent Fingermark Development by Superglue Fuming. The second presentation given by Igor Pacheco and Brian Cerchiai titled: A Research Study for the…
Fluorescence of Blood Impressions with Acid Yellow
Blood impressions are associated with serious crimes against people, and are frequently recorded in the blood of either the perpetrator or the victim, often establishing a close connection in time between the two. Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of…
Fingerprint Identification: Reliability and Accuracy
New technology is constantly being tested by Researchers and Developers to help this vital tool move forward in today’s society. These new technologies will assist in furthering the accuracy and reliability of using latent fingerprints. Our featured presentations for this…
False-Positive and False-Negative Error Rates in Cartridge
This webinar was presented to discuss the results and implications of an error rate study of cartridge case comparisons. The study was designed to measure false positive and false negative error rates of examiner comparisons of fired cartridge cases. The…
Error & Uncertainty in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
This presentation provided a general introduction to the concepts of error and uncertainty as well as the differences between them. It will then apply these concepts to quantitative and qualitative aspects of bloodstain pattern analysis. Error and uncertainty are two…
Demystifying Vacuum Metal Deposition [Archival]
This course is directed to Crime Scene Investigators, Bureaus of Identification, and Forensic Science Laboratory Examiners. The information will help departments justify the cost of a Vacuum Metal Deposition and demonstrate to the fingerprint industry that VMD has been one…
Collecting Footwear and Tire Impressions in Snow
From footwear to tire to snowmobile impressions, snow impressions can provide extremely valuable evidence in helping to resolve criminal investigations. Unfortunately, photographing and obtaining a cast of a snow impression is often a challenge for the crime scene examiner. This…
Bloodstain Documentation and Collection Methods
At some point in their careers, every crime scene responder has encountered a scene where the blood present is “everywhere” and there is no clear way to begin. That feeling can be extremely overwhelming. This training will provide attendees with…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Latent Prints
Archival Version – This course served as an overview of the Latent Prints discipline for the crime laboratory administration. This webinar provided non-LP analysts, who manage this discipline as part of a forensic laboratory or supervise members within this field,…
ASCLD Webinar Series: Firearms
Archival Version – This course serves as an overview of the field of firearms examination for the crime laboratory administration. This webinar will provide non-firearms examiners, who supervise members within this field, a basic overview of the analysis performed, discipline…
2017 NIJ R&D Series Impression, Pattern, & Trace Evidence
Morning Session I – Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence Speakers & Presentations for this section listed below: Welcome Remarks – Gerald LaPorte, NIJ Opening Remarks – Greg Dutton The Fluid Dynamics of Droplet Impact on Inclined Surfaces with Application to…
2016 NSAPS Panel 2 – Victim-Centered Approaches
The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. The audience learned how first responders such as medical staff, victims’ advocates,…
2016 NSAPS Panel 1 – Immediate Aftermath of Sexual Assault
The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. This panel provided an overview of how a traumatic event like sexual…
2016 NIJ R&D Series Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence
Morning Session I: Impression, Pattern, & Trace Evidence 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…
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: 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: Demonstrating Objectivity in Ballistic Identification
National Institute of Justice and Intelligent Automation, Inc. Date April 2015 Overview Firearms experts are seeking to strengthen their understanding of the accuracy and reliability of methods they use to associate fired ammunition recovered from a crime scene with a…