Introduction

Just Enhancing Research to Improve Tech Transition

Just Enhancing Research to Improve Tech Transition

Original Release Date: January 26, 2024

In episode three 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 Henry Maynard, Lead Research Scientist for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, to discuss the importance of developing research infrastructure within forensic laboratories and communication channels with collaborators.  

Forensic research and advancement are impossible without the input of forensic practitioners; however, many practitioners are not accustomed to engaging in formal academic research. As a result, the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group, or FLN-TWG, has identified important tools for building an infrastructure for research and collaboration within forensic laboratories. Listen along as Dr. Grgicak and Henry describe how research is ingrained in forensic practice, how to empower new forensic scientists to get excited about research, and resources to better integrate forensic researchers and practitioners.  

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 may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences. 

Listen to or download the episode here:

View or download the episode transcript here:
Transcript


Episode Citation

Shute, R., Grgicak, C., & Maynard, H. (2024, January 26). Just Science. Just Enhancing Research to Improve Tech Transition. [Audio podcast episode]. The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. https://forensiccoe.org/podcast-2024-flntwg-research-ep3/ 



Guest Biography

Catherine Grgicak is an Associate Professor and Henry Rutgers Chair in the Department of Chemistry at Rutgers University in Camden NJ. She received her B.S. in Physical Science and B.Ed. from the University of Windsor, her M.S.F.S. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa. Her Laboratory for Forensic Technology and Integration (LFTDI) is focused on developing systems and procedures that improve forensically relevant bio-analytical processes. She is a member of the Journal of Forensic Science’s editorial board, editorial board of Electrophoresis, Forensic Laboratory Needs Technical Working Group, Expert Working Group on Human Factors in DNA Interpretation, American Society of Forensic Sciences, the International Society of Forensic Genetics and the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology at Rutgers University. 

Henry Maynard serves as the Lead Research Scientist for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) in Forest Park, Georgia. Prior to working at USACIL, Mr. Maynard was a federal contractor who supported Research and Development (R&D) and Forensic Science Training efforts for the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences (OIFS) within the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Before that, he was a forensic practitioner at NMS Labs. He has formally been trained in the areas of Forensic Toxicology, Drug Chemistry, and Explosives Analysis. Mr. Maynard is very active in the forensic community and maintains memberships with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD), the Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE), the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), Project Management Institute (PMI), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC), and the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE). He is very active with ASCLD, as he serves on the ASCLD Board of Directors, Chairs the Forensic Research Committee, instructor for the ASCLD Leadership Academy Level II, and co-chair for the Training and Education Committee. Mr. Maynard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree. 


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

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


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