Preemptive Approach to Combatting and Characterizing Emerging Synthetic Opioids

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This webinar seeks to describe how preemptive synthesis and characterization of potent psychoactive substances from the literature can aid forensic scientists in the identification of unknowns appearing in samples emerging from illicit markets. Additionally, the presenter seeks to provide understanding of how gaps in pharmacological knowledge of old drugs can be exploited to find new emerging synthetic drugs.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 8, 2021.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-iaNhxKfA

The Utility of Microbes in Forensic Science

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

The webinar will cover microbial research in nontraditional forensics such as environmental contamination, foodborne illness, plant pathogens, and antibiotic resistance source tracking. The webinar will conclude with needs that must be met for chains of custody and current limitations to forensic microbiology.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 21, 2021.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LmO5DhbfsY

Emerging Methods for Body Fluid Analysis

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

The NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence hosted a panel of subject matter experts to discuss emerging methods for body fluid analysis. This webinar is in three sections:

1) Proteomics and its potential in high-throughput forensic laboratories.
2) Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and the rapid detection and identification of body fluids.
3) MicroRNA, mRNA, and the development of a microfluidic device used to detect and differentiate body fluids from an unknown sample.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 14, 2021.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xma81jRn4ew

Probabilistic Genotyping Summation and Special Topics

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Throughout the Probabilistic Genotyping of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results virtual workshop series, we have reviewed aspects of DNA mixture interpretation and have seen that probabilistic genotyping (PG) software can serve as a tool to assist the DNA Examiner in identifying possible genotype sets within a mixture and then calculating a likelihood ratio (LR). Approaches to modeling were shared by the developers of different PG software programs, followed by examples of internal validation studies and results. In this module, lecturers in the series return to address audience questions and delve deeper into special areas of interest related to probabilistic genotyping of forensic DNA evidence.

This webinar is part 8 of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series and was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on July 17, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBKoJ1yenDQ

Uncertainty and Limitations of Probabilistic Genotyping Systems

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Has a person of interest contributed DNA to a mixture obtained from evidence? Is that DNA associated with a crime? Both are questions that cannot be answered with absolute certainty. This module of the Probabilistic Genotyping of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results workshop series addresses the uncertainty and limitations of probabilistic genotyping systems that are used to calculate likelihood ratios and infer genotype sets from DNA typing results. Probabilistic reasoning provides a means to characterize these results, given the unknown information in forensic evidence, the stochastic environment, and sources of variability. Instructors in Module 7 will explore strategies of interpretation and decision making in light of these and other variables, such as the uncertain number of contributors, and will share research on the impact of these variables on the likelihood ratio.

This webinar is part 7 of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series and was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 26, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNF8MCWcedI

Probabilistic Genotyping in Court

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DYybJCOnSs

Representation of Statistical Weight to Stakeholders and the Court

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Historically, the predominant means of assigning statistical weight to many DNA mixtures in the U.S. has been the combined probability of inclusion, or CPI. Accordingly, many forensic DNA analysts, as well as attorneys and judges, are well-versed in the CPI as a match probability. In the fifth module of this workshop series devoted to probabilistic genotyping, the presenters will help DNA analysts and legal professionals understand degrees of statistical weight and properly communicate likelihood ratios and their meaning. The SWGDAM recommendations for reporting likelihood ratios will be discussed, along with an explanation of the empirical basis for its verbal scale that may be used in reports and testimony along with the likelihood ratio. Participants’ ears will also be tuned to lines of questioning that could lead to a fallacious statement about the statistic.

This webinar is part 5 of of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series and was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 8, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ammeY6HohU

Validation of Probabilistic Genotyping Systems for Casework Usage

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) and other bodies have published guidelines that specify empirical studies to be performed to assess reliability, identify limitations and develop suitable usage conditions for probabilistic genotyping systems. In this installment of the web series Probabilistic Genotyping of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results, we discuss the intent of each validation requirement and provide examples of their execution, as well as resulting data and how they can be used to develop standard operating procedures within the forensic DNA testing laboratory.

This webinar is part 5 of of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series and was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 29, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtVbx8ccNPQ

Probabilistic Genotyping Software and Output

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Over a dozen probabilistic genotyping software programs are commercially available or accessible as freeware. This module presents an instructive overview by software developers of three programs that are supported by published developmental validation.

This webinar is part of of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series and was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 22, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvD3BGGDnE

Statistical Genetics and the Mechanisms of Probabilistic Genotyping

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Probabilistic genotyping is a tool that uses computing power to aid in the identification of possible genotype sets within DNA typing results and to calculate likelihood ratios to estimate evidentiary weight. In this installment of Probabilistic Genotyping of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results, we will detail the background and principles of biostatistical analysis, to include match probabilities, likelihood ratios and other specific topics aimed at furthering understanding of the statistical basis of probabilistic genotyping.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 18, 2019, as part of the Probabilistic Genotyping Of Evidentiary DNA Typing Results Webinar Series.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts_kEMch6_A