Just the Impression and Pattern/Trace Evidence Portfolio
In episode two of our 2021 NIJ R&D and Beyond mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Gregory Dutton, a physical scientist in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at the National Institute of Justice, to discuss NIJ’s Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence research portfolio. Between latent fingerprints,…
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…
Post-Blast Explosives Attribution
Postponed until further notice Duration: 1 hour Forensic science practitioners in both domestic and Department of Defense organizations are often called upon to build cases and attribute crimes using trace evidence remaining at a crime scene. The ultimate goal of…
Advancing Fire Scene Investigations with Field Portable Technologies
This webinar originally occurred on April 6th, 2021 Duration: 1.5 hours This multi-year effort evaluated the application and limitations of field portable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) systems. The testing included three bench-top burns, nine flashover burns and 139 fire scenes with hundreds of samples…
Stability and Persistence of Touch DNA for Forensic Analysis
Touch DNA evidence (i.e. the low quantities of DNA that can be left behind when someone touches an object) is of increasing importance in criminal investigations. However, many important questions exist regarding basic properties of touch DNA, including the expected…
Utility of Microbes in Forensic Science
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 between classical microbiology and culture independent methods, as well as advantages and…
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.…
Intact Low Explosives Analysis with an Emphasis on Microscopical Methods
– Thursday, July 16th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ETDuration: 1.5 hour(s) The presenters in this webinar will discuss intact low explosives analysis with an emphasis on microscopical methods. They will cover basic terminology for explosives, the rationale…
Just Quick Screening Methods for Firearm Discharge Residues
In this episode of the 2020 R&D Season, Just Science interviews Dr. Tatiana Trejos, Assistant Professor of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Sciences at West Virginia University, about the rapid detection of organic and inorganic gunshot residue. Speed and…
Modifications to Capillary Microextraction in Volatiles (CMV) for the Extraction of Ignitable Liquid Residues (ILRs)
– Technical Note: Modifications to Capillary Microextraction in Volatiles (CMV) for the Extraction of Ignitable Liquid Residues (ILRs) – Report Date April 2020 Description This report summarizes the development and implementation of a novel sampling device (capillary microextraction of volatiles…
Identifying an Unknown Paint System Using the RCMP PDQ Program
Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Using a typical OEM paint system, the PDQ Maintenance Team will walk through the best practices to efficiently use the database and spectral libraries to identify…
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…
Rapid and Effective Identification of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues
Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Forensic laboratories and law enforcement personnel provide valuable support in the reconstruction of events and the assessment of the value of evidence in firearm-related investigations. The…
Just Detecting Gunshot Residue
<<< back to all podcasts Just Detecting Gunshot Residue In episode four of the 2019 R&D season, Just Science interviews Dr. Suzanne Bell, Professor and Chair of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University, to discuss a…
Emerging Research in Forensic Biology
← Back to Series Tuesday, April 9, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) In this installment of the Emerging Research series, three researchers will present on their current research in the forensic biology discipline. Dr.…
Emerging Research in Forensic Chemistry
← Back to Series Thursday, April 4, 2019 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) In this installment of the Emerging Research series, four researchers will present their current research in the forensic chemistry discipline. Dr. Frederique…
Success Story: Advancing 3D Virtual Microscopy for Firearm Forensics
NIJ and Cadre Forensics Report Date March 2019 Impact “High-resolution 3D surface topographies coupled with advanced software analysis are providing firearm examiners unprecedented new tools for microsurface examination.” -Dr. Ryan Lilien, Chief Scientific Officer, Cadre Forensics Click here to read…
Firearms and Toolmarks Research
← Back to Series Tuesday, February 26, 2019 2:00 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET Duration: 1.5 hour(s) Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the…
Identification: Just the Sole of Impression Pattern Evidence
<<< back to all podcasts Just the Sole of Impression Pattern Evidence The Identification season of Just Science will focus on many of the different aspects of identification in forensic investigations. A majority of these interviews were recorded at the…
Trace Evidence for the Crime Laboratory
← Back to Series Thursday, February 14, 2019 2:00:00 PM ET – 3:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) This course serves as an overview of the trace evidence discipline for the crime laboratory administration. This is the fourth webinar in…
Paper Microfluidic Devices for Fieldable Forensic Testing
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:00:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour(s) A suite of paper microfluidic devices for detecting explosives, drugs and serology has now been developed. These devices are not much larger than a postage stamp…
Small Bloodstains on Textiles – What Can They Tell Us?
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 1:00:00 PM EDT – 2:00:00 PM EDT Duration: 1 hour(s) This webinar will explore the interaction of blood with the multiple structures that occur within a simple textile and how these structures affect small bloodstains. One…
Conference Proceedings: 2018 Impression Pattern and Trace Evidence 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…
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…
Success Story: Establishing a “Microbial Clock” to Improve Time of Death Prediction
NIJ and Multi-Institute Academic Team Report Date April 2018 Impact “This research clearly demonstrated that there is potential to develop microbiome tools for estimating time of death. Developing connections with the right interdisciplinary collaborators was instrumental to the success of…
Just Talking Testimony
Just Talking Testimony In this special episode of the IPTES season recorded live in Crystal City, Just Science covers the panel titled, “Statistics and Testimony from the Practitioner and Juror Point of View.” Moderators for the panel were Dr. John…
Applied Polarized Light Microscopy for Trace Evidence Examiners
REPORT DATE April 2018 REPORT SUMMARY Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is a technique commonly used in the field of forensic science. PLM characterizes and identifies trace evidence found at crime scenes, such as fibers, hairs, paints, and glass fragments. This…
Just Bayesian Brawl
Just Bayesian Brawl In episode nine of the IPTES season, Just Science is covering the Statistical Approaches to Forensic Interpretation panel, recorded live at IPTES. Moderators for the panel was your host, Dr. John Morgan, from RTI International and Dr.…
Just Consecutively Manufactured Toolmarks
Just Consecutively Manufactured Toolmarks In episode seven of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews Robert Thompson, a Senior Forensic Science Research Manager at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). Mr. Thompson discusses his research on consecutively manufactured barrels…
Just Geeking Out on Patterns
Just Geeking Out on Patterns In episode five of the IPTES season, Just Science interviews John Vanderkolk from the Indiana State Laboratory. In a previous episode, Vanderkolk used the term Nature’s patterns, now he will discuss the philosophy behind the…
2018 NIJ R&D Symposium Series Trace Microbiome
Afternoon Session I: Trace Microbiome 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…
2018 IPTES Plenary – Closing Keynote Speaker Adam Benforado
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Trace Evidence Breakout Day 2 PM
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Trace Evidence Breakout Day 2 AM – Part 2
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Trace Evidence Breakout Day 2 AM – Part 1
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/25/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES – Trace Evidence Breakout Day 1 PM
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/24/2018. The National Institute of…
2018 IPTES Plenary – Statistics & Testimony From Practitioner
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.This original Live Webinar took place on 01/24/2018. The National Institute of Justice…
2018 IPTES Plenary – Opening Remarks & Statistical Approaches
IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This original Live Webinar took place on 01/24/2018. The National Institute of…
Webinar: Automotive Paint Binders Using Infrared Spectroscopy
This lecture describes the identification of automotive paint binders using infrared spectroscopy, with an emphasis on key absorptions to seek when examining such spectra. Infrared spectroscopy is one of the main tools used by the forensic paint examiner to obtain…
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…
Conference Proceedings: 2015 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence 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…
Just 3D Optical Topography
Just 3D OPTICAL TOPOGRAPHY Episode Three of Just Science, funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence , features Dr. Ryan Lilien, from Cadre Forensics and Todd Weller, from the Oakland Police Department talking about their groundbreaking research…
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…
Utilization of Organic Constituents into GSR Analysis
Suzanne Bell of West Virginia University (WVU, Departments of Chemistry and Forensic Science) presents on the utilization of organic constituents into gunshot residue analysis. This innovative technology involves experimental and modeling studies used to elucidate characteristics of skin permeation of…
Basics of Microbiology as they Apply to Forensics
↩ Back to Series Dr. Bruce Budowle, of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Dr. Dana Kadavy, Director of Biological Sciences at Signature Science, LLC, presented on microbiology, pathogens, human microbiome, and genetic engineering/synthetic biology. Participants will gain…
R&D 2014 – Fundamental Forensic Science Research – Part I
This archival portion of the 2014 R&D Seminar Series covers the following presentations: • Review on some Fluid Dynamics Aspects of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – Daniel Attinger • From Basic Research to Routine Use in the Courtroom: Elemental Analysis and…
Learning about Microbial Forensics
↩ Back to Series Dr. Bruce Budowle of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, presented on the basics of microbial forensics, epidemiology and the goals of investigation pertaining to biological crimes and bioterrorism. Participants gained a better understanding of…
2017 NIJ R&D Series Impression, Pattern, & Trace Evidence
Morning Session I – Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence Speakers & Presentations for this section listed below: Welcome Remarks – Gerald LaPorte, NIJ Opening Remarks – Greg Dutton The Fluid Dynamics of Droplet Impact on Inclined Surfaces with Application to…
2016 NIJ R&D Series Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence
Morning Session I: Impression, Pattern, & Trace Evidence 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…