Just Science

In episode two of our Case Studies Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Stacey Chepren, member of a trial team for prosecuting federal criminal misconduct cases, to discuss a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run involving trace and digital evidence. On a quiet morning in the city limits of Las Vegas, a pedestrian in a well-lit crosswalk was struck by an impaired driver who left the scene. There were no witnesses, but authorities quickly pieced together the case through a vehicle’s aftermarket paint job and neighborhood video footage. Listen along as Stacey discusses the multi-agency cooperation and forensic analyses used to identify the suspect. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode one of our Case Studies Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Michael Fagert, a certified latent print examiner at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, to discuss a latent print phenomenon that is not often seen in casework. There are very few instances of identifiable fingerprints on cartridge cases recovered from crime scenes as the firing process introduces adverse physical and thermal stressors to fingerprint residues. Several processing methodologies have been investigated for the development of latent prints on spent ammunition, like gun blue solutions, but only a few studies reported success on casework samples. Listen in as Michael discusses his published case report on how an untreated latent print encountered on a cartridge case was subsequently identified to the suspect in the case. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).

In episode four of our Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics mini-season, Just Science sat down with Patti Powers and John Wilkinson, two Attorney Advisors with AEquitas to discuss the application of best practices in maintaining the integrity of a conviction. Attorneys hold the responsibility of seeking justice for victims and their families and, therefore, must treat each case with an incredible level of care and discipline. The critical role of attorneys to drive a case forward reflects deeply on the need for maintaining victim care while holding offenders accountable. Listen along as Patti Powers and John Wilkinson dive deep into the ways practitioners can seek training opportunities, rethink positive case outcomes, and implement key strategies and policies to enhance their response to violent crimes. This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

In episode three of our Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics mini-season, Just Science sat down with Jim Markey, a Senior Research Public Health Analyst with RTI International to discuss the critical role of law enforcement in maintaining the integrity of a conviction. Law enforcement officers are oftentimes the “gatekeeper” of information on any given case, including details about the crime, the status of evidence being tested, and even whereabouts of a suspect or victim. Working alongside their allied professionals, officers certainly bring an important perspective to the process. Listen along as Jim Markey dives deep into the details of a law enforcement officer’s relationship with attorneys, clearance rates, and how agencies can enhance their relationship within the community. This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

In episode two of our Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics mini-season, Just Science sat down with Amy Durall, a Project Manager with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to discuss the incorporation of advocacy into the judicial proceedings. Advocates play a critical role in addressing the needs of a victim or family, as well as providing insight to other allied professionals that they work alongside. It is important to understand the varieties of advocates and how their respective roles may slightly differ. Listen along as Amy Durall dives deep into advocacy models, victim wellbeing, and opportunities for agencies to enhance their response to victims and their families. This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

In episode one of our Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics mini-season, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers, an Attorney Advisor with AEquitas to discuss the concept of Conviction Integrity and how practitioners can utilize a multidisciplinary team around them. Attorneys, law enforcement agents, advocates, medical professionals, and crime laboratory staff all play crucial roles as a case navigates from the crime scene to the courtroom. Allied professionals lean on one another to ensure all perspectives are heard and have the best interest of a victim or family in mind. Listen along as Patricia Powers dives deep into the relationships of these allied professionals and how having a formalized case review process can assist in maintaining the integrity of a conviction. This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

In part-two of the final episode of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science continued the conversation with Dr. Peter Stout, Dr. Ray Wickenheiser, and Matthew Gamette discussing the future of the forensic workforce. FEPAC-accredited institutions provide high quality forensic science education for undergraduate and graduate students. However, coursework alone does not adequately emulate what working in a forensic laboratory and pursuing a career in forensic science will entail. Listen along as our guests discuss court readiness, training gaps, and other valuable insights for anyone considering a career in forensics. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In the eighth episode of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Peter Stout, President of the Houston Forensic Science Center, Dr. Ray Wickenheiser, Director of the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, and Matthew Gamette, Director of the Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratory System, to discuss their perspectives on forensic science training and recommendations for students and faculty in FEPAC-accredited programs. FEPAC-accredited institutions are preparing students for future jobs in crime laboratories across the United States. Lab directors use these institutional standards to help guide them in their hiring processes. Listen to part one of this two-part episode as our guests discuss crime laboratory accreditation, hiring challenges, and the importance of multidisciplinary training. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode seven of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Karen Scott, an Associate Professor, Forensic Toxicology Consultant, and Director of the Master of Science in Forensic Science program at Arcadia University, and Dr. Jarrad Wagner, a Professor and Director in the Oklahoma State University School of Forensic Sciences, to discuss research collaborations and keeping on top of the dynamic drug landscape encountered in forensic toxicology casework. One of the requirements of FEPAC accreditation is that programs maintain partnerships with external collaborators, such as forensic science laboratories and professional organizations. This is especially important for rapidly evolving disciplines like forensic toxicology where there is a constant influx of new drugs and analytical challenges such as a lack of available reference standards and complex biological matrices. Because of these issues, students and researchers at universities and practitioners in crime laboratories must work together to develop new techniques for novel drug detection and analysis in real-time. Listen along as Dr. Scott and Dr. Wagner discuss their FEPAC partnerships, on-going research efforts, and the importance of hands-on learning in their forensic toxicology programs. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode six of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Brooke Kammrath, a Professor of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven and Assistant Director of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science, and Dr. Tatiana Trejos, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University, to discuss career paths for individuals trained in trace evidence analytical methods. Trace evidence analysts are tasked with extracting information from small quantity samples like glass, paint, fibers, and gunshot residue, to shed light on what possibly occurred at a crime scene. These analysts utilize chemical, microscopic, and physical comparisons of evidence to make conclusions and provide investigative leads. Listen along as Dr. Kammrath and Dr. Trejos discuss available collegiate courses, such as microscopy and testimony practice, for those interested in trace evidence analysis, and what it takes to succeed. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.