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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- Medicolegal Death Investigation (54)
- Missing & Unidentified Persons (22)
- Overdose Fatality (14)
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- Postmortem Interval (18)
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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.…
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…
HHRRC Poster Session 2022
The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC), an organization within the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) supported by the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), will host a hybrid virtual and in-person Poster…
Use of Rapid Toxicology Screening Tools in Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices
Date November 2021 Summary All medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) offices must make difficult decisions when allocating resources for timely, complete medicolegal death investigations. In some cases, toxicological analysis of a decedent’s biological specimens (e.g., blood, urine, tissue) can help determine cause…
Molecular Identification of Insects Relevant to Medicolegal Casework
This webinar originally occurred on December 2nd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Accurate insect identification is critical to their use in estimation of time of colonization (TOC) and post-mortem interval (PMI) during medicolegal death investigations. Insect specimens are currently identified by…
Just Workforce Resiliency for MDIs
Original Release Date: October 22, 2021 In the first episode of our Workforce Resiliency season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Jennifer Rineer, a program manager and research psychologist in RTI International’s Center for Policing Research and Investigative Science, and Kelly Keyes, a research…
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…
Harnessing Data to Implement Real-Time Data-Driven Overdose Response Strategies
← Back to MDI Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on December 7th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour In response to the lack of real-time reporting of both non-fatal and fatal overdoses across the United States, the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug…
Death Certification by the Medical Examiner/Coroner in Drug-Related Deaths
← Back to MDI Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on November 30th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Considering the steadily rising number of overdose deaths in recent years, public health systems rely on the vital role of medicolegal death investigation…
Data Systems Imperative in 21st Century Forensic Services
← Back to MDI Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on November 16th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Forensic science and service providers are, almost universally, experiencing a two-fold challenge to achieve effective results: diminishing resources and increasing demands for quality…
MDI Considerations for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
← Back to MDI Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on November 4th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Medical examiners and coroners use a variety of data sources to complete a medicolegal death investigation (MDI) and make determinations on a cause…
The Importance of Data to the MDI Community and Stakeholders
← Back to MDI Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on November 2nd, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Many stakeholders rely on medicolegal death investigation (MDI) data to support efforts that help save lives and promote justice. These stakeholders include federal,…
Medicolegal Death Investigation (MDI) Webinar Series
Overview The medicolegal death investigation (MDI) system, which includes Medical Examiner and Coroner offices, serves a fundamental role for supporting public safety by conducting death scene investigations, performing forensic autopsies, providing cause and manner of death determinations, and completing death…
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…
Overdose Fatality Investigation Techniques: Lessons Learned from Project ECHO
This webinar originally occurred on Thursday, October 7th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour State and territorial public health agencies rely on timely and accurate overdose mortality data to drive effective prevention initiatives. As the number of overdose deaths in the United…
Criminal Justice and Public Health Response for Emerging Drug Threats
Overview In a joint effort with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP), FTCoE develops capabilities that meet the needs of forensic science organizations to improve collaborations across the criminal justice and public…
Introduction to the Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy
This webinar originally occurred on August 31st, 2021 Duration: 1 hour Data availability is the cornerstone of progression of any scientific inquiry. For forensic anthropologists, the data sources are limited, as they must be contextually appropriate (temporal, geographical, etc.) for…
Multiple Perspectives on Overdose Fatality Reviews
This webinar originally occurred on July 27th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour This webinar provided an overview of overdose fatality reviews (OFRs) with a specific focus on engaging partnerships with coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal death investigators. The presenters highlighted OFRs…
Working Group on Data Exchange in Medicolegal Death Investigation
Working Group on Data Exchange in Medicolegal Death Investigation The National Institute of Justice and its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence convene the Working Group on Data Exchange in Medicolegal Death Investigation in collaboration with and supported by the Centers…
Just Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology Portfolio
Original Release Date: June 18, 2021 In episode three of our 2021 NIJ R&D and Beyond mini season, Just Science sat down with Danielle McLeod-Henning, a physical scientist and program manager in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at NIJ, to discuss Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology. Danielle McLeod-Henning has been the physical…
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…
PMCT Potpourri of Unnatural Deaths
← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on April 13th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour – In the sixth and final webinar, participants were introduced to the use of PMCT in the investigation of a variety of unnatural deaths…
PMCT of Natural Deaths
← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on May 11th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour – In the fifth webinar, participants were introduced to the use of PMCT in the investigation of natural deaths. At the New Mexico OMI, a…
PMCT of Blunt Force Trauma
← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on May 4th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour – This webinar introduced participants to the use of PMCT in the diagnosis of blunt force trauma. PMCT scan may be used to diagnose…
PMCT of Gunshot Wounds
This webinar originally occurred on April 27th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour In the third webinar, participants were introduced to the use of PMCT for examining decedents with gunshot wounds, both homicidal and self-inflicted. At the New Mexico OMI, a PMCT…
Overview of PMCT for Pathologist Triage
← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on April 20th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour In the second webinar, participants were introduced to the use of PMCT as a triage tool in a busy forensic pathology practice. Participants first…
Post-Mortem Computed Tomography Webinar Series
Overview Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is a valuable tool for medicolegal death investigation. PMCT examination may be used to supplement traditional autopsy or anthropological examinations. Further, PMCT combined with external examination may be used as an alternative to full autopsy…
PMCT Basics: Facility and Technical Aspects
← Back to Series – This webinar originally occurred on April 13th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour – In the first webinar, participants were introduced to x-ray computed tomography (CT) and some key differences between CT and traditional x-ray. The basic…
Just the DEA National Forensic Laboratory Information System
In episode eight, Just Science interviews DeMia Pressley from the DEA’s Diversion Control Division to discuss the importance of information sharing across law enforcement and public health agencies through forensic partnerships. The National Forensic Laboratory Information System, otherwise known as NFLIS, is a…
Just Alternative Crisis Response: One Community’s Experience
In episode six, Just Science interviews Tim Black of the White Bird Clinic in Eugene, Oregon about the CAHOOTS program, a community-based public safety model that provides mental health first response for crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and substance use…
Just Partnerships To Enhance Overdose Fatality Review
In episode five, Just Science interviews Dr. Mallory O’Brien, Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, to discuss how partnerships can enhance Overdose Fatality Reviews. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is the only state-based reporting system that covers all types…
Just The Importance of Identifying Emerging Drug Threats
Original Release Date: February 5th, 2021 In episode three, Just Science sat down with Amanda Mohr and Dr. Alex Krotulski from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education to discuss the analytical and interpretative challenges associated with emerging drug threats. The Center for Forensic Science…
Just the Intersection of Opioids and Illicit Stimulants Part 2
Original Release Date: January 29, 2021 This week, we continue the conversation with Dr. Zibbell as he discusses the American history of drug epidemics, what we can learn from past stimulant crises, and the importance of tailoring interventions in this episode of Just Science. This season is in…
Utility of Microbes in Forensic Science
This webinar originally occurred on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 Duration: 1 hour The presenter discussed the definition of forensic microbiology, a timeline of when it first became popular, and how it differs from molecular epidemiology. The webinar then covered differences…
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…
Deaths in Custody: A Comprehensive Review
← Back to MDI Webinar Series We are thrilled to offer ABMDI Continuing Education Credits for this webinar. See below for details. This webinar originally occurred on December 2nd, 2020 Duration: 1 hour Join the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner of…
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.…
The National Institute of Justice and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence’s National Opioid and Emerging Drug Threats Policy and Practice Forum
Report Date July 2020 Introduction The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted the National Opioid and Emerging Drug Threats Policy and Practice Forum on July 18-19, 2019, in Washington, DC. The forum explored…
ABMDI Credits
We are thrilled to offer ABMDI Continuing Education Credits to those who attend the following virtual events. ABMDI credits will be calculated by total time spent watching. For the best viewing experience, each individual session is designed to be watched…
Just Blowflies and Extreme Temperatures
In episode five of the 2020 R&D Season, Just Science interviews Dr. Travis Rusch, a postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M University, about fluctuating temperatures in forensically important blowflies. Forensic entomologists use predictable developmental rates of certain necrophagus insects to estimate time of colonization, postmortem interval, and time of…
Just Skeletal Remains Identification
In episode two of the 2020 R&D Season, Just Science interviews Dr. Heather Garvin, Associate Professor of Anatomy at Des Moines University, about her work with OSTEOID, an online resource for species identification of skeletal remains. Approximately 30-40% of cases involving skeletal remains received by forensic anthropologists end up being…
Online Workshop: 2019 IAC&ME Training Symposium
In 2019, IAC&ME hosted a combined Basic and Advanced Medicolegal Death Investigation course in addition to its general conference program in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s program provided another excellent opportunity to learn from some of the best speakers…
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…
Forensic Epidemiology: Monitoring Fatal Drug Overdose Trends
This webinar originally occurred on February 11th, 2020Duration: 1 hour Given the vital role of medical examiners and coroners (ME/C) in recognizing emerging trends in drug overdose deaths, partnering epidemiologists with ME/C offices can greatly enhance the utility of the…
Detection and Visibility of Bruises Using Alternate Light: From Science to Practice
Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) Bruising is one of the most common types of soft tissue injury noted on victims of violence, including those suffering intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child…
Handling Difficult and Disturbing Forensic Cases for Coroners and Medical Examiners
This webinar originally occurred on October 17th, 2019 Duration: 1 hour There are over 2000 medical examiner and coroner offices throughout the United States. All are involved in determining the cause and manner of death and communicating this information to…
Special Release: Just the Census of Medical Examiners and Coroners
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Census of Medical Examiners and Coroners In this special release episode, Just Science interviews Dr. Hope Smiley-McDonald and Connor Brooks about the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Census of Medical Examiners and Coroners. The…
Opioids & Emerging Drug Threats – Integrating Public Safety and Health Data for a Forensic Response Webinar Series
Overview Building on the momentum of the National Opioid and Emerging Drug Threats Policy and Practice Forum held earlier this year in Washington, D.C., the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) will assist the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in a complementary initiative surrounding the topic by hosting…
The Opioid Epidemic: An Update from the Coroner/ME Perspective
Wednesday, July 24th, 2019 Duration: 50 minutes Between 2016 and 2017, overdose deaths increased from 63,632 to 70,237. Of these, 47,600 overdose deaths involved opioids. In 2017, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia were the top…
Medicolegal Death Investigation: Locating and Notifying Next of Kin & Donation 101
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019 Duration: 1.75 hour(s) Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with…
Just Imaging Flow Cytometry
<<< back to all podcasts Just Imaging Flow Cytometry In episode ten of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. Christopher Ehrhardt, professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, about a method for determining tissue type, age of evidence, and contributors…
Just Flies and Their Artifacts
<<< back to all podcasts Just Flies and Their Artifacts In episode nine of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. David Rivers, a professor at Loyola University, about the detection of insect stains and the development of a…
Just Putrid Databases
<<< back to all podcasts Just Putrid Databases In episode seven of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. Audris Mockus, a Professor in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, about an Image Cloud…
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…
Just RNA and Bloodstains
<<< back to all podcasts Just RNA and Bloodstains In episode three of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. Robert Allen, professor and head of the Forensic Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University, about a method to estimate…
Just Fundamental Mechanics and Infant Skull Fractures
<<< back to all podcasts Just Fundamental Mechanics and Infant Skull Fractures In episode two of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. Brittany Coats, associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Utah, about her efforts to…
Online Workshop Series: Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results
Overview The Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory has partnered with the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence to create a series of online workshops aimed at increasing knowledge, understanding, and the reliable application of probabilistic genotyping to…
Rapid DNA’s Role in Disaster Victim Identification
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Historically DNA technology has been used as a last resort in the identification of disaster victims. Traditional DNA testing can be a lengthy…
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…
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…
Emerging Research in Medicolegal Death Investigations
This webinar originally occurred on March 14, 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…
HHRRC – Stable Isotope Analysis in a Humanitarian Context
The webinar originally occurred on March 12th, 2019Duration: 1.5 hours This webinar will introduce stable isotope analysis and its validity as analytical tool in establishing the geographic origin and life history of unidentified individuals from forensic and humanitarian contexts. In…
HHRRC – Isotopes Aiding Identification of Undocumented Border Crosser Human Remains
This webinar originally occurred on February 6th, 2019Duration: 1.5 hours This webinar highlights the theory and methods of isotopic analysis to explain how it can be used to assist in the identification of human remains for undocumented border crossers who…
Success Story: Uncovering Key Details of Skeletal Remains through 3D-ID Software
National Institute of Justice and North Carolina State University Date January 2019 Overview When forensic anthropologists investigate unidentified remains, they look for important clues that can help identify the subject. For example, the size and shape of the skull can…
Just Planning For The Aftermath Of A Mass Shooting
Just Planning For The Aftermath Of A Mass Shooting In the fourth episode of our medicolegal death investigation special release season, Just Science interviews John Fudenberg, the Coroner for Clark County, where he discusses the tragic events of the 2017 concert shooting in Las…
Variability in Blow-Fly Development – Research and Implications for PMI Practice
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 2:00 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) Dr. Leon Higley’s work to characterize blow-fly species indicates that there is variation within a single population–the bell curve is wide. Dr. Higley will share his…
Just Forensic Nurse Coroners
Just Forensic Nurse Coroners In the third episode of our medicolegal death investigation special release season, Just Science interviews Bobbi Jo O’neal, the Chief Deputy Coroner of Charleston, South Carolina, who discusses the unique skills that forensic nurses can provide…
Just Coroners Versus Medical Examiner Systems
Just Coroners Versus Medical Examiner Systems In the second episode of our medicolegal death investigation special release season, Just Science interviews John Fudenberg, the Coroner for Clark County, Nevada. Listen along as Just Science explores commonalities and differences between the…
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…
Estimating Blow Fly Age and Reducing Error in Postmortem Interval Cases
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 2:00:00 PM ET – 4:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) Insect evidence can provide valuable information during death investigations. Forensic entomologists estimate the ages of the immature insects like blow flies, which can provide useful information…
Just Being Vocal about Vicarious Trauma
Just Being Vocal about Vicarious Trauma In the first episode of our medicolegal death investigation special release season, Just Science interviews Kelly Keyes, the supervising deputy coroner of Orange County, California to give an overview about the coroners and medical…
Strengthening the Medical Examiner–Coroner System Through NIJ-funded Programs: 2018 Medicolegal Death Investigation Stakeholders’ Meeting
Report Date September 2018 Report Summary On February 5–6, 2018, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research and evaluation agency of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), convened a diverse group of stakeholders from across the United States…
Just a Whole-Body CT Image Database
Just a Whole-Body CT Image Database In episode four of the 2018 NIJ R&D Season, Just Science speaks with Dr. Shamsi Berry, from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, about her research with standardizing a large-scale, whole-body CT image database. In 2010 the…
Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center Webinar Series
Overview The Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center (HHRRC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) with support from the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence provides needed resources and support to apply modern forensic science…
Forensic Workforce Resiliency: Vicarious Trauma & Workplace Stress Webinar Series
Overview Professionals throughout the criminal justice system are exposed to the aftermath of violent crime and its victims. These individuals may include forensic nurses, crime scene investigators, forensic practitioners, medicolegal death investigators, and other professionals in related fields. Research has…
Just Speak into the Microbe-phone
Just Speak into the Microbe-phone In the first episode of our new R&D Season, Just Science host Dr. John Morgan speaks with Dr. Bruce Budowle, the Executive Director of the Institute of Applied Genetics and Professor at the University of…
3D-ID-Geometric Morphometric Classification of Crania for Forensic Scientists Software Best Practices
Thursday, August 16, 2018 1:00 PM ET – 2:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) Attendees will be introduced to the new features of the new software release, how to maximize results, and how to best interpret results for forensic casework…
Online Workshop: 2018 IAC&ME Training Symposium
This year, the IAC&ME hosted a combined Basic and Advanced Medicolegal Death Investigation (MDI) course in addition to its general conference program in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s program provided another excellent opportunity to learn from some of the best…
Three Part Online Workshop Series: Best Practices Guidance for Advancing Research Initiatives and Combatting the Synthetic Drug Epidemic
Archives Overview The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) is a world-leading center in novel drug identification and interpretation. The CFSRE is working in association with NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), led by RTI International,…
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…
Protected: Webinar: 2017 From Cradle to Cane – Part Four
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Success Story: Establishing a “Microbial Clock” to Improve Time of Death Prediction
National Institute of Justice and Multi-Institute Academic Team Date April 2018 Overview The postmortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since a person’s death. Determining the PMI at a crime scene may help to recreate the victim’s timeline…
Success Story: Maximizing the Use of Mitochondrial DNA in Identifying Remains and Aiding Missing Persons Casework
National Institute of Justice and the American Registry of Pathology Date April 2018 Overview Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) serves as an important tool in situations where traditional nuclear DNA analysis is unlikely to yield probative information. mtDNA sequencing has traditionally focused…
Aquatic Death and Homicidal Drowning Investigation
Description Drowning is one of the leading causes of “accidental death” in the United States, but it is possible that many of these deaths are, in fact, incidents of foul play. It is important that law enforcement personnel learn how…
DNA Kinship Testing Webinar Series
Overview DNA kinship tests are proposed as a method within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for confirming the presence of a biological relationship between two individuals for immigration purposes, preventing human trafficking, and identifying mass disaster victims. This webinar…
2018 NIJ R&D Symposium Series Forensic Anthropology
Morning Session I: Forensic Anthropology 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 (2) result in…
The NC Statewide Medical Examiner System Laboratory Approach
← Back to Series This webinar will focus on the North Carolina Medical Examiner System and the toxicology laboratory that serves the system. Included will be information on the changing landscape of death certification and changes to the laboratory approach…
Opioids and Death Investigation: A “Perfect Storm”
← Back to Series The scope of the opioid epidemic presents unprecedented challenges to the medical examiner and coroner community. This webinar will explore the intersection of the opioid epidemic with the work of America’s medical examiners and coroners. The…
Just Postmortem Interval Estimation Research
Just Postmortem Interval Estimation Research In this special release episode of the 2017 NIJ R&D Symposium, Just Science interviews Dr. Jeffrey Wells and Dr. Lynn LaMotte. This is the abstract submitted where Dr. LaMotte and Dr. Wells explain their research:…
Just Hairy Isotopes
Just Hairy Isotopes In episode ten of Just Science, funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence , we spoke with Dr. Gwyneth Gordon, from Arizona State University. Dr. Gordon and her team have developed methods to use the isotopic abundance…
Just Dry Bones
Just Dry Bones In the seventh episode of Just Science, funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence , guest speakers Dr. Melissa Connor, Dr. Eriek Hansen, and Christiane Baigent discuss their NIJ funded research. A study was launched in…
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…
HHRRC – A Review of Forensic Anthropology in Mexico
The webinar originally occurred on June 2nd, 2017 Duration: 1 hour This webinar provided an overview of the development of forensic anthropology worldwide, but above all in Mexico, and how our team has adapted by means of feedback and dialogue…
HHRRC – Stable Isotope Forensics & Unknown Persons Investigations
This webinar originally occurred on May 24, 2017 Duration: 2 hours This webinar discussed applications of stable isotope analysis for predicting region of origin of unidentified border crossers found within the United States. Participants will understand the applications and limitations…
HHRRC – Analysis and Conservation of Human Remains in Cambodia
The webinar originally occurred on May 16th, 2017 Duration: 1 hour This presentation provides an introduction to the work conducted in Cambodia to analyze/preserve human remains from violence committed by the Khmer Rouge. Specifically the site of Krang Ta Chan,…
Advanced Radiologic Imaging in Medicolegal Death Investigation
Overview In conjunction with the University of New Mexico, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) hosted a technology transition workshop focusing on advanced radiologic imaging for medicolegal death investigation on November 11-13, 2016. The workshop was held at the New…
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…
HHRRC – Nerve Agent Uptake and Detection in Human Bone
The webinar originally occurred on May 9th, 2017 Duration: 1 hour This presentation discusses experimental tests of a model for drug uptake by human bone and explores how the results may be applied to detect nerve agent exposure from human…
2013 R&D: Straight to the Bone: Advances in Forensic Anthropology
This archival portion of the 2013 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Improving Sex Estimation from Crania using 3-Dimensional CT Scans – Natalie Shirley • Independent Validation Test of Microscopic Saw Mark Analysis – Jennifer Love • A Subadult…
The Crime Scene Is Fluid: Land to Water-Based Scenes
This presentation also transitions into the investigation of deaths that occur in water. Deaths in the water, whether at home or on a lake, etc., are generally thought of as accidents. A major focus of this lecture is to move…
2013 R&D: Postmortem Interval and Molecular Autopsy – Part II [Archival]
This archival portion of the 2013 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: Applications of Curvilinear Development Modeling for the Blow Fly Lucilia Sericota – Leon Higley Investigating Unexplained Deaths through Molecular Autopsies – Yingying Tang Funding for this Forensic…
2013 R&D: Postmortem Interval and Molecular Autopsy – Part I [Archival]
This archival portion of the 2013 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: Microbial Community Change Associated with Decomposing Corpses – Rob Knight Using Differential RNA Degradation to Estimate an Extended Postmortem Interval – Joshua Moore Funding for this Forensic…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology Part II
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • New Pediatric Head Injury Assessment Tool for Possible Child Abuse Cases Considering Subject-Specific Child Head Anatomy – Dr. Jingwen Hu • Investigation of the Impact of…
R&D 2014 – Models in Forensic DNA & Pathology – Part I
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Modeling 3D Facial Shape from DNA – Dr. Mark Shriver • Pediatric Fracture Printing: Creating a Science of Statistical Fracture Signature Analysis – Dr. Todd Fenton…
2017 NIJ R&D Series Anthropology & Microbial Forensics
Archival Version – The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium was a free and open meeting where attendees learned about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. Afternoon Session I – Anthropology & Microbial Forensics Speakers & Presentations…
2016 NIJ R&D Series Anthropology & Microbial Forensics
Afternoon Session I: Anthropology & Microbial Forensics 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 (2) Result…
Success Story: Creating an International Databank of Skeletal Biomarkers for Human Identification
National Institute of Justice and University of South Florida Date September 2016 Overview According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Missing Person and Unidentified Person Files, there are approximately 13,500 unidentified individual cases in…
Success Story: Understanding the Ecology of Human Decomposition Methods for Estimating Postmortem Interval
National Institute of Justice and the National Museum of Health and Medicine Date April 2015 Overview Data on the microbiome of decomposing and skeletonized remains are providing an avenue for understanding how microbial communities may be used to augment medicolegal…
Success Story: Improving Identification of Mexican Hispanic Remains
National Institute of Justice and Texas State University Report Date April 2015 Overview In the United States, the Mexican Hispanic population ranks second in total size, yet Mexican Hispanic individuals often remain unidentified in forensic anthropological cases. The reason? There…