Just Science Podcast

Current Season

Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition

The National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group, or FLN-TWG, brings together a diverse group of forensic researchers and practitioners to advise, assess, and exchange information about the technology needs of state and local forensic laboratories. One of the largest challenges faced by these laboratories is transitioning new research and technology innovations into real-world laboratory practice. As a result, a FLN-TWG subcommittee has developed a roadmap report, which provides actionable guidance to improving the research, development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of new forensic research products into the forensic laboratory. In this season, innovation advisor and roadmap author Rebecca Shute speaks with the co-authors of the roadmap who are on the FLN-TWG research subcommittee to discuss the culture of the forensic science community, the need for guidance, and the lessons learned along the way. 

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. 

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & Google Podcasts!

microphone and headphones

Just Lessons Learned in Forensic Technology Transition

Original Release Date: February 2, 2024 In episode four of our Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Catherine Grgicak, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Rutgers University-Camden, and Stephanie Stoiloff, Chief of the Forensic Services…
microphone and headphones

Just Building Partnerships to Advance Forensic Technology

Original Release Date: January 19, 2024 In episode two of our Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition season, Just Science sat down with Cleveland Miles, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Division of Forensic Science, and Henry Maynard, Lead Research…

Previous Season

Case Studies

Reviewing case studies is an important way to better understand forensic and criminal legal practices in the context of real-world events. While new cases arise every day, each has their own unique details, nuances, and lessons to be learned. In this year’s Case Studies season, host Jaclynn McKay sits down with several diverse and experienced practitioners at the 2023 International Association for Identification Forensic Educational Conference to hear about how they are applying forensic technologies to their casework and discuss lessons learned from their career defining cases. Listen along as guests discuss how they are applying new methodologies to better resolve cases, building internal databases to generate forensic leads, exploring the use of current forensic technologies in new ways, and much more! 

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). 

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & Google Podcasts!


Past Season

Resilient Leadership

Each year, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) Symposium convenes a diverse group of forensic science practitioners from around the country in one place where they can discuss their challenges, successes, and shared experiences. This year’s symposium was held in Austin, Texas, where the theme was Resilient Leadership. The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence recorded on-site in the hopes of bringing a bit of this year's symposium magic to you. Listen along as Just Science sits down with attendees and speakers at the 2023 ASCLD Symposium to discuss the importance of resilient leadership in forensic science, especially following the worst global pandemic in the past hundred years. Stay tuned!

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. 

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple PodcastsStitcherSoundcloudSpotify, & Google Podcasts!


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

microphone and headphones

Just Lessons Learned in Forensic Technology Transition

Original Release Date: February 2, 2024 In episode four of our Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Catherine Grgicak, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Rutgers University-Camden, and Stephanie Stoiloff, Chief of the Forensic Services…
microphone and headphones

Just Building Partnerships to Advance Forensic Technology

Original Release Date: January 19, 2024 In episode two of our Roadmap to Improving Technology Transition season, Just Science sat down with Cleveland Miles, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Division of Forensic Science, and Henry Maynard, Lead Research…