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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…
Discussion of the FTCOE’s Guidance Document on Considerations for Photographic Documentation in Sexual Assault Cases
Publication Sexual Assault Report, January/February 2024 Author Mikalaa Martin | RTI International Overview In August 2022, the FTCOE published a report, Guidance Document on Considerations for Photographic Documentation in Sexual Assault Cases, which presents photographic documentation practices and techniques for…
2024 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 Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the 76th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) conference in Denver, Colorado. This…
2023 Year in Review
A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence Another year in the books, and so much has happened! In 2023, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted various virtual events and delivered numerous online resources – including 6…
FLN-TWG: A Roadmap to Improve Research and Technology Transition in Forensic Science
← Back to FLN-TWG Main Page Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) 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…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Murder Mystery Event
← Back to Main Page Overview As part of National Forensic Science Week 2023 (September 18-22, 2023), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is offering a murder mystery event! For this year’s murder mystery, we will be reopening a…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Spot the Differences
← Back to Main Page Overview Attention to detail is an essential skill across forensic disciplines. Can you spot the differences between the original and altered images below? How many differences can you find? Game Instructions How to Play (Online): …
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle In the Courtroom Wordsearch
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers click…
2023 Graduate Research Symposium and Poster Session
← Back to Main Page Overview This event originally occurred on September 20, 2023 Welcome to the 2023 Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium and Poster Session hosted by the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE)! In 2022, the FTCOE hosted…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzle In the Courtroom Crossword
← Back to Main Page ← Back to All Puzzles Page Puzzle Instruction To view and complete the puzzle in a separate window, click the expanding arrows in the tool bar above the puzzle title. To input your answers select…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Interview Montage
← Back to Main Page Overview In the past, the FTCOE has released written interviews with forensic practitioners in various stages of their career and working in various forensic disciplines. This year, we created a video comprised of multiple interviews with forensic practitioners from seasoned subject matter experts to young professionals early…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzles
← Back to Main Page Overview Each day, the FTCOE will release a crossword and wordsearch puzzle with fun forensic science themes that incorporate some terminology trivia and stress relieving activities for all ages. Find the Terms wordsearches offer a…
2023 National Forensic Science Week Teacher How-To Guides
← Back to Main Page Overview Calling all science teachers! Are you looking for fun, forensic activities and experiments that you can use with your class or share with fellow forensic science enthusiasts? This year for National Forensic Science Week,…
2023 National Forensic Science Week
Overview National Forensic Science Week (September 18-22, 2023) 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…
Just Sexual Assault Response in Indigenous Communities
Original Release Date: April 28, 2023 In episode four of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Mark Pooley, founder of Native Search Solutions, to discuss how the challenges faced by indigenous communities impact…
Low Prosecution Rates in Sexual Assault Cases: Can We Make Sustainable Improvements?
← Back to Webinar Series Page Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EasternDuration: 1 hour Overview This webinar begins with contextual information about prosecution case outcomes in sexual assault cases of adult victims. The challenges in…
Just DNA Searches in CODIS
Original Release Date: April 21, 2023 In episode three of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Orlando Salinas, Lieutenant Trampas Gooding, and Jennifer Pollock from the Texas Department of Public Safety to discuss…
Touch DNA Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases: Knowledge to Inform Practice
← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 18, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Touch DNA was a revolutionary concept when introduced in 1997. The application of touch DNA in sexual assault cases was tested in 2011…
Landscape Study of Next Generation Sequencing Technologies for Forensic Applications
Date April 2023 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides valuable resources that promote the use of novel and innovative technologies in the forensic community. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)…
Just Improved Response to Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: April 14, 2023 In episode two of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, the Associate Dean of the Brigham Young University College of Nursing, to discuss…
Solving Violent Crime Through Lawfully “Owed” DNA: Outcomes of Efforts to Address Missed DNA Samples
← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 11, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Lawfully owed DNA procedures have an immeasurable impact on the criminal justice system. Procedures do not fall on just one discipline in the…
Just DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: April 7, 2023 In episode one of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, to discuss how large-scale data collection can…
Exploring the Link Between Dating Apps and Sexual Assault: Novel Research Findings
← Back to Webinar Series Page This webinar originally occurred on April 4, 2023Duration: 1 hour Overview Dr. Julie L. Valentine will share background information on dating app usage and user demographics to provide context for research findings on dating…
2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series: Novel Research on Sexual Assault
Overview This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will be releasing a series of webinars covering topics related to novel research on various sexual assault topics. Tune in as our presenters discuss…
2023 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 14, 2023 at the 75th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)…
2022 Year in Review
A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence Another year in the books, and so much has happened! In 2022, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted various virtual events and delivered numerous online resources – including 6…
In-Brief Report Series: Digital Transformation of Cold Case Reviews
Date November 2022 Overview Advances in forensic science and investigative capabilities represent opportunities and challenges for allied criminal justice professionals involved in violent crime cold case investigations. Modern techniques and technologies can uncover important insights that may not have been…
A Review of Legislation Associated With Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Date September 2022 Overview Convicted offender DNA sample collection laws vary in each state in terms of what type of offense obligates an offender to provide a sample, whether a conviction should be the trigger for sample collection, and which…
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…
Just Solving Cold Cases with Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Original Release Date: August 26, 2022 In episode four of our Case Studies: Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Leighton D’Antoni, the Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, Texas, to discuss how forensic genetic genealogy was used…
Guidance Document on Considerations for Photographic Documentation in Sexual Assault Cases
Date Updated: March 2024 Original: August 2022 Overview Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are medical professionals with specialized training and expertise in medicine, psychology, and forensic science and are qualified to conduct sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs). During the SAMFE,…
Interlaboratory Comparison of SpermX and Conventional Differential Extractions
This webinar originally occurred on August 11, 2022 Duration: 1 hour Overview Scientists from three participating laboratories – University of Central Florida (UCF), Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), and InnoGenomics (IGT) – presented results obtained from mock…
Just the Components of Forensic Biology and DNA
Original Release Date: June 3, 2022 In episode five of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Robin Cotton, Director of the Master of Science Program in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University School of…
A Landscape Study Examining Technologies and Automation for Differential Extraction and Sperm Separation for Sexual Assault Investigations
Date May 2022 Overview The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), led by RTI International, provides valuable resources that promote the use of technologies in the forensic community. Differential extraction is a technique that allows…
Just Trauma-Informed Approaches and Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations
Original Release Date: April 29, 2022 In the final episode of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, a sexual assault survivor, advocate, author, and founder of Natasha’s Justice Project, to discuss…
Trauma-Informed Investigations for Sexual Assault Cases
← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on April 26, 2022 Duration: 1 hour Overview This webinar will highlight the importance of conducting a trauma-informed interview of a victim of sexual assault. Trauma-informed…
Just Research on Anonymous and Unreported Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: April 22, 2022 In episode four of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachael Goodman-Williams, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Wichita State University, and Dr. Jessica Volz, Clinical Director…
Just Trauma-Informed Patient Interviewing and Prevalence of Strangulation
Original Release Date: April 15, 2022 In episode three of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Kelly Taylor, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Sexual Assault Care Coordinator, and Forensic Healthcare Program Manager,…
Strangulation in Sexual Assault Cases: Considerations for Evidence Collection and Supporting Healing
← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on April 14, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview In addition to providing medical care and support to victims of sexual assault, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) collect…
Just Research of Dating Apps and Violent Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: April 8, 2022 In episode two of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, a Researcher, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and the Associate Dean of Brigham…
Sexual Assault Kit Evidence Tracking: The Idaho State Police Forensic Services Experience
← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series This webinar originally occurred on April 7, 2022Duration: 1 hour Overview The Idaho State Police Forensic Services agency has designed a sexual assault kit evidence tracking system to effectively track…
Just Sexual Assault Response and Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Original Release Date: April 1, 2022 In episode one of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Mary Weston, the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Supervisor of the Cold Case Unit, and Project Manager of the…
2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series: Exploring Current Trends in Sexual Assault Response
Overview This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will be releasing a series of webinars covering topics related to sexual assault response reform. Tune in as our presenters discuss sexual assault kit…
Just a Trauma-Informed Response to At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: February 25, 2022 In the final episode of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Lieutenant Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss at-home sexual assault kits through a victim-centered…
Just a Prosecutor’s Perspective on At-Home Kits
Original Release Date: February 18, 2022 In episode seven of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Patti Powers, an attorney advisor at AEquitas and a former senior deputy prosecuting attorney in Washington state,…
Virtual Workshop: Understanding Sexual Assault Trauma and Considerations for Conducting a Trauma-Informed Interview
Overview Due to the successful response and engagement received from the Just Science podcast episode titled “Just Trauma-Informed Victim-Centered Interviewing” from the 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic…
Just Analyzing At-Home Kits
Original Release Date: February 11, 2022 In episode six of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Jay Henry, the former Crime Laboratory Director of the Utah Department of Public Safety. Mr. Henry, an…
Just Key Considerations for Investigations of Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: February 4, 2022 In episode five of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Scott Mourtgos, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Utah, a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) LEADS…
Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence
Original Release Date: January 28, 2022 In episode four of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Laurieann Thorpe, the Executive Director at Prevent Child Abuse Utah, to continue our discussion on at-home sexual…
Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault
Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) delivered a two-day Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault on January 26-27, 2022. The Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research…
Just A Pediatric Viewpoint on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: January 21, 2022 In episode three of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Toni Laskey, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the…
Just the Intersection of At-Home Kits and Healing
Original Release Date: January 14, 2022 In episode two of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Monica Gardner, an advocate, a former rape crisis center team advocate, and a survivor of sexual abuse as a child and…
Just Supporting Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Cases
Original Release Date: January 7, 2022 In episode one of our Perspectives on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, a researcher, sexual assault nurse examiner, and the Associate Dean of Brigham Young University’s…
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. With…
Just Workforce Resiliency for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Part 2
Original Release Date: November 5, 2021 In episode three of our Workforce Resiliency mini season, Just Science continues our conversation with Dr. Cara Berg Raunick, a women’s health nurse practitioner and the Director of Clinical Quality and Advancement at Health…
Just Workforce Resiliency for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Part 1
Original Release Date: October 29, 2021 In episode two of our Workforce Resiliency mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Cara Berg Raunick, a women’s health nurse practitioner and the Director of Clinical Quality and Advancement at Health Care Education and Training,…
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…
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…
Just Standardizing Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: September 24, 2021 In episode eleven of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Maureen Platt, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Waterbury, CT, Denise Covington, Program Manager…
Just Crossover Offending
Original Release Date: September 17, 2021 In episode ten of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, researcher and professor at Cleveland State University, and Mary Weston, Assistant Prosecuting…
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…
Just Advocating for Older Survivors
Original Release Date: September 10, 2021 In episode nine of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Ms. Marya Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss considerations for supporting older survivors of sexual assault. …
Just Considerations for Older Survivors
Original Release Date: September 3, 2021 In episode eight of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers to discuss considerations for sexual assault cases involving older victims. During her professional…
Just Partially Tested Sexual Assault Kits
Original Release Date: August 27, 2021 In episode seven of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell and Mary Weston to discuss resolving partially tested sexual assault kits. Partially…
Just Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 20, 2021 In episode six of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers, an attorney adviser with AEquitas, to discuss supporting male victims of sexual assault through…
Just Advocacy for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: August 13, 2021 In episode five of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Marya Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss advocacy for male…
Just a Cost Benefit Analysis of Sexual Assault Investigation
Original Release Date: August 6, 2021 In episode four of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant…
Just Trauma-Informed Victim-centered Interviewing
Original Release Date: July 30, 2021 In episode three of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss trauma informed, victim-centered interviewing for sexual assault cases. A sexual…
Just Touch DNA and Sexual Assault Groping Cases
Original Release Date: July 23, 2021 In episode two of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie L. Valentine, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the College…
Just Lawfully Owed DNA
Original Release Date: July 16, 2021 In episode one of our 2021 Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant…
Just a Guide to Sexual Assault Response Reform
Original Release Date: April 30, 2021 In episode three of our 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Patricia Melton, co-director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Training and Technical Assistance program, to…
Just Victim Advocacy During a Pandemic
Original Release Date: April 23, 2021 In episode two of our 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Marya L. Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss victim advocacy during a pandemic. …
Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Groping and Sexual Assault Cases
Publication Journal of Forensic Nursing, April 2021 Authors Julie L. Valentine, Ph.D., RN, CNE, SANE-A, FAAN | Brigham Young University Paige Presler-Jur, M.S. | RTI International Heather Mills, MSFS | Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Suzanne Miles, B.S. | Utah…
Perspectives on Addressing the Collection, Tracking, and Processing of Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Date April 2021 Overview The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a powerful tool that supports the criminal justice system by generating investigative leads, identifying perpetrators, and linking cases together. DNA profiles obtained from convicted…
Just a Survivor’s Perspective and Reflection
Original Release Date: April 16, 2021 In episode one of our 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with author, non-profit founder, and sexual assault survivor Natasha Alexenko to discuss her book, A Survivor’s Journey, and the importance…
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…
FLN-TWG: Proteomic Mass Spectrometry for Biology Fluid Identification
← Back to FLN-TWG Main Page Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) 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…
Sexual Assault Response Fact Sheets
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is leading an effort to organize and transfer knowledge and best practices of sexual assault response to the criminal justice community. Whether through webinars, podcast episodes, reports, or conferences, the FTCOE is working…
2020 Year in Review
A Message from the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence 2020 was a big year for the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. With five podcast seasons, a full research and development symposium, our first virtual conference, eight reports, and over thirty…
Just the Grim Sleeper Serial Killer
Original Release Date: December 4, 2020 In episode five of the 2020 Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Rockne Harmon, forensic consultant and former senior deputy district attorney for Alameda County in California, to talk about familial DNA…
Just COVID-19: The Impact to Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault
Original Release Date: April 24, 2020 This week on Just Science, we are publishing a special release episode in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Social distancing, shelter in place, and other responses to COVID-19 can create a stressful environment…
The Time to Analyze is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on January 29, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview This webinar built on the concepts presented in the webinar “The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases” presented by Dr. Julie Valentine.…
Just the Impact of Lawfully-Owed DNA Collection
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: November 6, 2019 In episode eight of our 2019 DNA season, Just Science interviews Jayann Sepich, co-founder of the non-profit organization DNA Saves, about lawfully owed arrestee DNA. In 2003, 22-year-old Katie Sepich…
Providing Forensic Healthcare and Support to Native Communities
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on February 27, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Awareness of how to provide culturally appropriate and trauma informed services to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) community is important for forensic examiners. This…
Detection and Visibility of Bruises Using Alternate Light: From Science to Practice
This webinar originally occurred on October 30, 2019 Duration: 1 hour Overview 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 abuse, and…
Handling Difficult and Disturbing Forensic Cases for Coroners and Medical Examiners
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on October 17, 2019 Duration: 1 hour Overview There are over 2000 medical examiner and coroner offices throughout the United States. All are involved in determining the cause and manner of death…
A Campus-Wide Response to Sexual Misconduct: Best Practices
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on August 7, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview This webinar highlights the dynamics of campus sexual assault that may be specific to, or heightened in the context of, a college or university…
Cradle to Cane: Investigation of Crimes Against Vulnerable Victims
This webinar originally occurred on March 21-23, 2017 Duration: 14 hours 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…
GROWING THE FORENSIC NURSING SPECIALTY
This webinar originally occurred on May 21, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Over the past three decades, Forensic Nursing has emerged as a health care discipline to inform communities of interest and to continually improve the quality of care for…
A Therapeutic Response to Suspected Elder Abuse
This webinar originally occurred on May 9th, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Recognizing elder abuse and neglect is challenging and can made more difficult if the victim fears losing their independence. This webinar explores a therapeutic response to elder abuse,…
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Just the Evolution of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: April 16, 2019 April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a campaign designed to raise awareness about sexual violence and provide methods to prevent it. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month,…
Neurophysiology and Overcoming Trauma: Understanding Individual Challenges
This webinar originally occurred on April 30, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview This webinar explores how personal experiences and unique traumas create commonly felt physical symptoms and investigates how the brain functions reflect a reaction to danger, an action to…
Collaboration Enhances Trauma-Informed Response to Sexual Assault Survivors
This live webinar originally occurred on April 25, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview The Houston Area Women’s Center’s & Houston Police Department’s experiences will provide attendees greater insight into how collaboration across community- and systems-based advocacy can enhance law enforcement’s…
Surviving Sexual Assault – It Takes A Village
This webinar originally occurred on April 11, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Listening to the experiences of sexual assault survivors is an important step to fully understand how the criminal justice system plays a pivotal role in a survivor’s journey…
Emerging Research in Forensic Biology
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on April 9, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National…
Identification: Just a Modified Direct to DNA Approach to Sexual Assault Kit Testing
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: February 21, 2019 In episode three of our Identification season, Just Science interviews forensic biologist Caitlin Rogers. Forensic scientists are always looking to improve the efficiency and accuracy of sexual assault…
The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on February 27, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Improving the overall response to sexual assault includes understanding how touch DNA evidence impacts groping sexual assault cases. This webinar will illustrate the importance of these cases and…
In-Brief Report Series: Beyond DNA – Sexual Assault Investigations
Date January 2019 Overview The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is committed in their efforts to support scientific advancement, evidence-based practices, and community awareness of our Nation’s sexual assault response. As NIJ’s Director, Dr. David B. Muhlhausen, indicated, “our nation’s…
Investigating Sexual Assault of Elder Victims
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on January 22, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Overview Sexual assault investigations within the elderly population require a unique and collaborative response. This webinar highlights strategies to improve support services and case outcomes…
Just FORESIGHT on Sexual Assault Kits
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: November 19, 2018 In episode three of our Forensic Advancement season, Just Science interviews Dr. Paul Speaker from West Virginia University about the jurisdictional return on investment for DNA Databases. With…
Responding to Sexual Assault Victims of Color
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on November 29, 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview A deeper understanding of the trauma experienced by people of color and its impact on their experience in the criminal justice system provides the…
A Landscape Study of SOPs to Collect and Process Arrestee and Convicted Offender DNA Samples
Date September 2018 Overview The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) is conducting a landscape study and root cause analysis which seeks to (1) identify factors that may result in potential barriers related to the collection, testing, and uploading of…
New SWGDAM Recommendations on Communicating Likelihood Ratios
This webinar originally occurred on October 18, 2018 Duration: 2 hours Overview SWGDAM recently issued recommendations on genotyping results reported as likelihood ratios, designed to promote consistency among laboratories. Members of the committee will discuss the recommendations and their foundations.…
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…
Improving Sexual Assault Response within Special Populations Webinar Series
Overview Creating a victim-centered response to sexual assault within special populations is a critical component of improving support services to victims, maintaining victim engagement in the criminal justice process, and improving sexual assault case outcomes. A victim’s first impression of…
Providing Gender Inclusive Care to Victims of Sexual Assault
← Back to Series This webinar originally occurred on August 30, 2018 Duration: 1 hour Overview This webinar will discuss considerations to best serve sexual assault victims of LGBTQ community, particularly transgender survivors, and present case studies to illustrate gender…
Just Case Studies: Mel Hall – A Sexual Predator
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: September 4, 2017 For the second season of Just Science we will be delving into Case Studies. These case interviews include victim accounts, lawyers, investigators, and crime lab directors. They will…
Just the Facts About Campus Sexual Assault
← Back to Just Science Podcast Original Release Date: June 12, 2017 In episode eight of Just Science, we spoke with Dr. Christopher Krebs, a Senior Research Social Scientist at RTI International. Dr. Krebs’ research has shed light on the problem of…
Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium
Overview The National Institute of Justice, the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington, DC.…
2016 NSAPS: Panel 3 – Investigating Sexual Assault Webinar [Archival]
Overview The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. The panel highlighted the complexities of investigating sexual assault cases and…
2017 TechBeat Articles Featuring the FTCOE
FTCoE Opioid Webinar Series Shares Knowledge, Promotes Collaboration Issue: November 2017 Click here to read the article Forensic Technology Center of Excellence Launches Podcast Series Issue: July/August 2017 Pages: 8-10 Click here to read the article Optical Topography Report: Findings, Methodology, Recommendations Issue: May 2017 Pages: 8-13…
Organizing and Transferring SANE/SAFE/SART Knowledge and Best Practices
Date November 2014 Overview At the request of the National Institute of Justice, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) leads a comprehensive federal effort to organize and transfer knowledge and best practices of sexual assault nurse examiners, sexual assault forensic…
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…
Webinar: Investigating Sexual Violence – Policy Forum: Emerging Solutions and Best Practices [Archival]
Overview This is the archival version of a two-hour Policy and Practices Forum which brings together experienced and knowledgeable subject matter experts in various fields contributing to the investigation and processing of cases involving sexual violence. The investigation of sexual…
Webinar: Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) Workshop [Archival]
Overview This is the archival version of the two-day workshop hosted by the SOFT Continuing Education and Drug-Facilitated Crimes Committees with the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault on August 11-12, 2014 in Washington DC.…
Webinar: Best Practices – Sexual Assault Investigations Policy Forum [Archival]
Overview This forum focused on emerging techniques and developments associated with evidence collection training, evidence analysis utilizing Y-STR capabilities and victim-centric care approaches (e.g., understanding the neurobiology of the victim in sexual assault). Presentations in this forum discussed development of…
Webinar: Best Practices in Sexual Assault Cases [Archival]
Overview In the ongoing struggle to protect would-be victims from sexual predators, great advances are being made in forensic nursing research and practice, from strangulation assessment to the photographic documentation of injuries and beyond. Valerie Krasneski-Schreiber, unit director of the…
Webinar: 2016 NSAPS Panel 7 – Testing Sexual Assault Evidence [Archival]
Overview The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. Panelists took a look inside evidence testing and decision making at…
Webinar: 2016 NSAPS Panel 4 – Legislative Reform on Sexual Assault [Archival]
Overview The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. This panel discussed new legislative and policy reforms undertaken or underway…
2016 NSAPS Panel 2 – Victim-Centered Approaches
Overview The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. The audience learned how first responders such as medical staff, victims’…
2016 NSAPS Panel 1 – Immediate Aftermath of Sexual Assault
Overview The National Institute of Justice, through its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted “Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium” on September 8-9, 2016, in Washington D.C. This panel provided an overview of how a traumatic event like…