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), will hold a Forensic Science Research Federal Stakeholders meeting on November 8, 2021 from…
SAK Best Practice Mobile App
Go MOBILE for FREE with the FTCoE SAK Best Practice 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 are trademarks of…
Just Standardizing Sexual Assault Kits
In episode eleven of our 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 at the Gail Burns-Smith Sexual Assault Forensic…
Just Crossover Offending
In episode ten of our 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 Attorney and Director of the Cold Case…
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 offering a murder mystery event! Each day of the week, a new evidence-based clue will be revealed on the…
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
In episode nine of our 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. Shift in Notion Consulting is focused on developing…
Just Considerations for Older Survivors
In episode eight of our 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 career as a prosecuting attorney, Patricia Powers…
Just Partially Tested Sexual Assault Kits
In episode seven of our 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 tested sexual assault kits create a unique…
Just Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
In episode six of our 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 the criminal legal system. Research suggests that…
Just Advocacy for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
In episode five of our 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 survivors of sexual assault. One of the…
Just a Cost Benefit Analysis of Sexual Assault Investigation
In episode four of our 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 Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s…
Just Trauma-Informed Victim-centered Interviewing
In episode three of our 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 assault victim’s experiences with law enforcement and advocates…
Just Touch DNA and Sexual Assault Groping Cases
In episode two of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the College of Nursing and certified sexual assault nurse forensic examiner,…
Just Lawfully Owed DNA
In episode one of our 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 Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, to discuss…
Just a Guide to Sexual Assault Response Reform
In episode three of our 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 discuss a new resource that will help criminal justice…
Just Victim Advocacy During a Pandemic
In episode two of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Marya Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss victim advocacy during a pandemic. The arena of sexual assault response reform has seen…
Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Groping and Sexual Assault Cases
Report Publication Journal of Forensic Nursing, April 2021 Introduction Historically, evidence collection in sexual assault cases focused on obtaining foreign contributor bodily fluids through swab collection. With improvements in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis methods, DNA profiles can be developed from touch…
Perspectives on Addressing the Collection, Tracking, and Processing of Lawfully Owed DNA Samples
Report Date April 2021 Introduction 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…
Just a Survivor’s Perspective and Reflection
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 of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every survivor of sexual…
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
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 (FLN-TWG). The FLN-TWG supports NIJ’s mission…
Sexual Assault Response Fact Sheets
The organization of education materials for those responding to and investigating criminal sexual assault is a major component of our efforts toward sexual assault response reform. In that respect, the Fact Sheets below were designed to feature webinars and additional…
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…
Just the Grim Sleeper Serial Killer
In episode five of the 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 searching and the case of the Grim…
Just COVID-19: The Impact to Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault
Overview 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 for survivors of sexual assault…
The Time to Analyze is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
This webinar originally occurred on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hour(s) 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
In the final episode of the 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 was raped and murdered within five blocks of her home in New Mexico. Using skin…
Providing Forensic Healthcare and Support to Native Communities
This webinar originally occurred on February 27th, 2020 Duration: 1.5 hours 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 webinar discussed jurisdictional factors affecting…
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…
A Campus-Wide Response to Sexual Misconduct: Best Practices
This webinar originally occurred on August 7th, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours This webinar highlights the dynamics of campus sexual assault that may be specific to, or heightened in the context of, a college or university setting. Additionally, the presenter discusses…
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…
GROWING THE FORENSIC NURSING SPECIALTY
Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Over the past three decades, Forensic Nursing has emerged as a health care discipline to inform communities of interest and to continually improve…
A Therapeutic Response to Suspected Elder Abuse
Thursday, May 9th, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes 1. Understand the epidemiology of elder abuse 2. Describe and be able to recognize the older adults’ vulnerabilities to abuse 3. Describe pearls…
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Just the Evolution of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Evolution of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection 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…
Neurophysiology and Overcoming Trauma: Understanding Individual Challenges
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) 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…
Collaboration Enhances Trauma-Informed Response to Sexual Assault Survivors
Original live webinar took place Thursday, April 25, 2019 1:00:00 PM EDT – 2:30:00 PM EDT Duration: 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s) Register for the archived version below. The Houston Area Women’s Center’s & Houston Police Department’s experiences will provide attendees…
Surviving Sexual Assault – It Takes A Village
Thursday, April 11, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) 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…
Emerging Research in Forensic Biology
This webinar originally occurred on April 9th, 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…
Identification: Just a Modified Direct to DNA Approach to Sexual Assault Kit Testing
<<< back to all podcasts Just a Modified Direct to DNA Approach to Sexual Assault Kit Testing In episode three of the Identification season, Just Science interviews forensic biologist Caitlin Rogers. Forensic scientists are always looking to improve the efficiency…
The Time to Collect is Now: DNA Evidence in Groping Sexual Assault Cases
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 2:00 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) 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…
In-Brief Report Series: Beyond DNA – Sexual Assault Investigations
Report Series Date January 2019 Introduction 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,…
Investigating Sexual Assault of Elder Victims
This webinar originally occurred on January 22nd, 2019 Duration: 1.5 hours Sexual assault investigations within the elderly population require a unique and collaborative response. This webinar highlights strategies to improve support services and case outcomes for elderly victims through a…
Just FORESIGHT on Sexual Assault Kits
<<< back to all podcasts Just FORESIGHT on Sexual Assault Kits In episode three of the Forensic Advancement season, Just Science interviews Dr. Paul Speaker from West Virginia University about the jurisdictional return on investment for DNA Databases. With the…
Responding to Sexual Assault Victims of Color
This webinar originally occurred on November 29th, 2018 Duration: 1 hour A deeper understanding of the trauma experienced by people of color and its impact on their experience in the criminal justice system provides the ability to improve sexual assault…
A Landscape Study of SOPs to Collect and Process Arrestee and Convicted Offender DNA Samples
Report Date This study is currently being conducted. The project team presented a poster on preliminary findings and next steps at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Phoenix, Arizona on September 24-27, 2018. Description The Forensic Technology Center…
New SWGDAM Recommendations on Communicating Likelihood Ratios
Thursday, October 18, 2018 1:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 2 hour(s) 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…
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
This webinar originally occurred on August 30th, 2018 Duration: 1 hour This webinar will discuss considerations to best serve sexual assault victims of LGBTQ community, particularly transgender survivors, and present case studies to illustrate gender inclusive responses to sexual assault.…
Just Case Studies: Mel Hall – A Sexual Predator
Mel Hall – A Sexual Predator 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 tell you about cases they have…
Just the Facts About Campus Sexual Assault
Just the Facts About Campus Sexual Assault Christopher P. Krebs, PhD, has extensive research experience in the areas of corrections, substance abuse epidemiology and treatment, intimate partner violence and sexual violence, HIV transmission among and associated high-risk behaviors of…
Organizing and Transferring SANE/SAFE/SART Knowledge and Best Practices
Overview At the request of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) coordinated a comprehensive Federal effort to organize and transfer knowledge and best practices of sexual assault nurse examiners, sexual assault forensic examiners,…
Organizing and Transferring SANE/SAFE/SART Knowledge and Best Practices
Overview At the request of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) coordinated a comprehensive Federal effort to organize and transfer knowledge and best practices of sexual assault nurse examiners, sexual assault forensic examiners,…
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]
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 promising…
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…
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]
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 violence…
Webinar: Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) Workshop [Archival]
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. The…
Webinar: Best Practices – Sexual Assault Investigations Policy Forum [Archival]
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 best…
Webinar: Best Practices in Sexual Assault Cases [Archival]
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 UPMC…
Webinar: 2016 NSAPS Panel 7 – Testing Sexual Assault Evidence [Archival]
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 the…
Webinar: 2016 NSAPS Panel 4 – Legislative Reform on Sexual Assault [Archival]
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 at…
2016 NSAPS Panel 2 – Victim-Centered Approaches
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’ advocates,…
2016 NSAPS Panel 1 – Immediate Aftermath of Sexual Assault
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 sexual…