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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Latent Print Technical Leader Working Group (LPTL-WG)
Latent Print Technical Leader Working Group The Latent Print Technical Leader Working Group (LPTL-WG), supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International, is an emerging community of…
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 Use Program (COSSUP), FTCOE develops capabilities that meet the needs of forensic science organizations to improve collaborations across the criminal justice and public…
Forensic Science Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Application
Overview Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a risk management tool that identifies and quantifies the influence of failures or potential failures in processes or activities. The application automates FMEA by evaluating the level of risk associated with an…
General Provider Resources: Medical Records for Medicolegal Death Investigations Toolkit
Overview In September 2020, The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) – in partnership with its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International and the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – convened…
Interactive Map: Medicolegal Death Investigation Data Flow
Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-in partnership with its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International and the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-convened a virtual Medicolegal Death Investigation Data Exchange…
Scene Investigation Video Vignettes
Overview In partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP, formerly COSSAP), FTCOE and its partners produced a series of short videos on how law enforcement officers, first responders, and other stakeholders…
Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool for Labor Expenditure Associated With Sexual Assault Kit Processing Workflows
Overview Laboratories can use different workflows to process sexual assault kit (SAK) evidence, and the workflow is often selected based on available resources. In an era of constrained local and state budgets, this cost-benefit analysis (CBA) tool provides a critical…
FORESIGHT Digital Evidence
Overview Since the initial efforts to collect data via Project FORESIGHT, receiving responses from forensic laboratories that examine digital evidence has been difficult. A small percentage of forensic laboratories reported areas of investigation for computer analysis or analysis of multimedia…
The Field Application of GC/MS For Fire & Arson Investigations Video Series
← Additional Portable Instrumentation for On-Scene Fire Debris Analysis Resources Overview The purpose of this project was to design engaging video vignettes to disseminate results from a complex research project. The project team developed a guidance document that specifically describes…
Trace Evidence Collection Mobile App
Go MOBILE for FREE with the Trace Evidence Collection App! New Demonstration Videos Included! Download the Updated App Now! Get the app here or search for “Trace Evidence Collection App” on the Google Play Store. Google Play and the Google…
National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach Mobile App
Go MOBILE for FREE with the National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits App! Get the app here or search for “National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits” on the Google Play Store. Google Play and the Google Play logo…
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…
Introduction to Touch DNA Evidence for Sexual Assault Groping Cases Video Series
Overview: The Importance of Touch DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Groping Cases video series is presented by Dr. Julie Valentine and Heather Mills as a companion to the Journal of Forensic Nursing article entitled “Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch…
Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG)
Supporting NIJ’s Mission to Improve Knowledge and Understanding The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International, formed the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG). The FLN-TWG supports NIJ’s…
ASCLD Accreditation Initiative
Overview The FTCOE has worked with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) to promote and support universal accreditation and to promote the value of forensic science accreditation, continuous improvement, succession planning and technical certifications. In furtherance of these…
NPS Discovery Toolkit
Overview Welcome to the NPS Discovery toolkit developed for RTI’s Center for Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) and the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation. The purpose of the toolkit is…
MPS Workflow Through Simulation Tool
Overview At the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Minneapolis, MN on September 26, 2016, the NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) presented at a workshop that provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn best practices to…
Workforce Calculator Project
Overview The workforce calculator project follows a two-year timeline to produce a workforce calculator for metropolitan, regional, and state forensic crime laboratories or laboratory systems. The calculator permits laboratories to identify the personnel required to support a given level of…
Forensic Optical Topography Working Group
Date April 2015 Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), in partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), convened the Forensic Optical Topography Working Group on March 17-18, 2015…
Multidisciplinary Sexual Violence Glossary
About the Multidisciplinary Sexual Violence Glossary The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) in collaboration with the Center for Nursing Excellence International (CFNEI) has developed a sexual violence online glossary for medical, law enforcement, and legal professionals. Effective communication among…