ASCLD Train the Director Series – Firearms 3D technology: Advantages and Value for Implementing 3D Technologies
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour This presentation will demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating 3D technology into the forensic firearms/toolmarks discipline and the decision analysis used for selecting samples for virtual comparison. …
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…
Advancing Fire Scene Investigations with Field Portable Technologies
This webinar originally occurred on April 6th, 2021 Duration: 1.5 hours This multi-year effort evaluated the application and limitations of field portable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) systems. The testing included three bench-top burns, nine flashover burns and 139 fire scenes with hundreds of samples…
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…
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…
National Institute of Justice and Purdue University: Advancing 3D Imaging for Footwear and Tire Impressions
Report Date May 2020 Introduction Impressions of shoe and tire tracks are common types of evidence found at a crime scene that be used to evidentially link a suspect to a crime or generate important investigative leads in a case. However,…
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: The original recordings took place March 21-23, 2017. 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…
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…
Building Forensic Capacity Post-Conflict: Lessons from Uganda
← Back to Series Thursday, March 28, 2019 2:00:00 PM ET – 3:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) This presentation introduces research conducted in Uganda at the nexus of forensic science and transitional justice, highlighting a large-scale forensic investigation and…
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…
Firearms and Toolmarks Research
← Back to Series Tuesday, February 26, 2019 2:00 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the…
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…
NIBIN Challenges and Opportunities
← Back to Series Thursday, January 24, 2019 2:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) This webinar will discuss the challenges and opportunities regarding the implementation of the NIBIN program. The NIBIN program has the potential to…
Psychological Survival in a Violent Career
← Back to Series Original Live Webinar took place in 2018 Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Dr. David Christiansen discussed some of the relevant issues which affect law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders. These concepts also apply to those who…
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.…
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…
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…