Just Science Podcast

Current Season

2024 Case Studies

2024 Case Studies

Through discussing and reflecting on real-world case examples, we are able to better understand the capabilities and limitations of forensic technologies and processes. In this year’s Case Studies season, host Mikalaa Martin sits down with forensic science practitioners, representing expertise in a diverse set of forensic disciplines, to discuss their presentations from the 2024 International Association for Identification Forensic Educational Conference. With topics ranging from inadvertently photographed ridge detail to mass disaster response and more, listen along as guests share their lessons learned through case examples and describe how they are utilizing both emerging and established methodologies and technologies to more effectively resolve cases and respond to catastrophes.

This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).  

Some content in this podcast season may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences. 

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & YouTube Podcast!

Just Using Inadvertently Photographed Ridge Detail as Evidence

Original Release Date: November 22, 2024 In episode two of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Tim Fayle, Training Capability Lead for IDEMIA Australasia and Chair of the International Association for Identification’s Latent Print Certification Board, to…

Previous Season

Community-based Solutions for Substance Use Challenges

In this season of Just Science, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) and the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) collaborate to provide highlights and experiences on evidence-based research and programs that address substance use and overdoses in the United States. Throughout the season, host and Forensic Scientist Dr. Lawrance Mullen speaks with grantees about a diverse range of state and local projects, which incorporate reentry services for those being released from prison, peer support, crisis response, and more. Episodes also discuss innovative research for drug monitoring programs through wastewater drug epidemiology, overdose data, and drug checking and related technology implementations. Listeners will hear about lessons learned, exciting successes, and advice for other agencies who want to implement similar programs.

This Just Science season is supported, in part, by RTI Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, and by RTI Award No. 15PBJA-23-GK-02250-COAP, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Both are agencies within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.  

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & YouTube Podcast!

Just Public Health and Safety Data Sharing in Georgia

Original Release Date: August 9, 2024 In the final episode of our Community-based Solutions for Substance Use Challenges season, Just Science sits down with Kristen Lee, Substance Use Program Coordinator at the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Lizann Roberts, Executive…

Past Season

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month; a national campaign which aims to support sexual assault survivors while also highlighting innovations in sexual assault response and prevention. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month, Just Science host and forensic social scientist, Jason Chute, sat down with several subject matter experts to discuss sexual assault evidence collection, cold case investigation, and survivor advocacy. Listen along as our guests provide valuable insight into the field of sexual assault response and discuss the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach. 

This season is funded in part by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU) and RTI International’s Justice Practice Area. 

Some content in this podcast season may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences. 

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & YouTube Podcast!

Just Technology to Improve Sexual Assault Bruise Detection

Original Release Date: April 26, 2024 In this 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month special release episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Katherine Scafide, associate professor and sexual assault response researcher at George Mason University, to discuss how her team…

Just Sexual Assault Response for Cases without DNA Evidence

Original Release Date: April 19, 2024 In this 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month special release episode, Just Science sat down with Erin House, Special Assistant Attorney General in Michigan; Richard Johnson, Kalamazoo SAKI Investigator; and Lindsey King, Kalamazoo Community-based Victim…

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

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


Related Content

Just Using Inadvertently Photographed Ridge Detail as Evidence

Original Release Date: November 22, 2024 In episode two of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Tim Fayle, Training Capability Lead for IDEMIA Australasia and Chair of the International Association for Identification’s Latent Print Certification Board, to…