Category: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

In bloodstain pattern analysis, pattern classification is the step in the method where the analyst evaluates the features of bloodstains to determine the potential mechanism of creation. The community has standard definitions for these different bloodstain patterns; however, classification is based on features, not definitions. This webinar guides the analyst through the process of establishing objective criteria for what features must be present to include specific pattern types within the pattern classification step. This will also include a discussion about embracing qualitative uncertainty in pattern classification.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 1, 2024.

(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=31PXzfHdA2A

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

When working within a coroner or medical examiner’s office, engaging with the bereaved is a daily task. While this task can sometimes feel monotonous or routine, this webinar challenges this myth and shows that it should be anything but. It provides insight on the importance of a trauma informed approach to supporting all grieving individuals. It discusses the value of collaborating with trained professionals, such as victim advocates, and lessons learned from the presenters’ combined years of experience working with people experiencing trauma.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 26, 2024.

(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=twOIIwMpeZQ

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This session busts the myth that new toxicology screening tools can fully replace traditional toxicology testing. The session discusses the appropriate integration of current rapid toxicology screening tools into MEC offices as a method of triaging cases, rather than a determination of toxicology related causes of deaths. Topics covered in this webinar include the rationale for rapid screening at different points in the investigation (e.g., triage of case); differences between toxicology screening and confirmation testing; and exemplar case studies to highlight salient points.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on October 8, 2024.

(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=UXfXUzK7EdQ

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Former medicolegal death investigators highlight the mental health challenges faced by medicolegal death investigation professionals, particularly the effects of indirect trauma. By sharing personal experiences, research data, and practical strategies, they aim to raise awareness about early signs of PTSD, stress, and burnout. Emphasizing the importance of resilience, community support, and vulnerability, the presentation encourages fostering trauma-informed workplaces and prioritizing wellness, including practical strategies. The goal is to help professionals recognize issues before they escalate and maintain long-term well-being in demanding careers.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 19, 2024.

(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=yLSTEMNnodI

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) based on comparisons of electron-ionization (EI) mass spectra continues to pose challenges in seized drug analysis. In this webinar, a method to statistically compare EI mass spectra is described, and an application of the method to distinguish several structural and positional isomers of NPS analogs are demonstrated.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on July 25, 2024.

(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=8zc54luO1ns

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) conducts the Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) to provide insight into federal, state, county, and municipal crime labs that are funded solely by the government or whose parent organization is a government agency. The most recent CPFFCL provides national-level data on the workload and operations of crime labs during 2020. Of the 326 eligible crime labs and multilab systems in the 2020 CPFFCL, 293 (90%) provided responses to at least some of the survey questions. This webinar presents findings from the 2020 CPFFCL and provide an update on next year’s new CPFFCL.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 2, 2024.

(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=O_kS2yqtKpQ

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This presentation explores a series of research studies aimed at assessing the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of forensic pattern evidence examination decisions across various disciplines, including latent prints, firearms, shoeprints, and handwriting. Key topics covered include a comprehensive overview of the design factors in these four large-scale research studies, as well as a response to common critical observations regarding the experimental design and the interpretation of results.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 19, 2024.

(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=tr-vZ81u2g4

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This webinar provides a means and rationale to prepare and execute the various steps of this process, including planning, gap analysis, educating key staff members, executing and delivering work products. The webinar introduces the process of standards implementation stepwise for key senior administrators whose laboratory system has not yet formally initiated a program. A question-and-answer portion covers topics such as planning, staff education, the best way to divide the list of standards on the OSAC Registry into workable segments by discipline, and conducting gap analysis between Registry standards and the implementation of those standards.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 30, 2024.

(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=Nn0mtLbUk3E

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This presentation by Rebecca Campbell, Michigan State University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022.

The workshop explores the advantages of a multidisciplinary approach to sexual assault cases, highlighting the inclusion of recommendations from NIJ’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach into sexual assault response processes (see https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250384.pdf). Additionally, this virtual workshop includes recent findings and research projects that have supported a multidisciplinary approach to sexual assault response reform. This no cost workshop convenes a wide audience including sexual assault nurse examiners, criminal justice practitioners representing federal, state, and local agencies, as well as subject matter experts from across the United States.

(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=uyYSOLREqTQ

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022.

The workshop explores the advantages of a multidisciplinary approach to sexual assault cases, highlighting the inclusion of recommendations from NIJ’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach into sexual assault response processes (see https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250384.pdf). Additionally, this virtual workshop includes recent findings and research projects that have supported a multidisciplinary approach to sexual assault response reform. This no cost workshop convenes a wide audience including sexual assault nurse examiners, criminal justice practitioners representing federal, state, and local agencies, as well as subject matter experts from across the United States.

(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=Qci2NedM-js