Just Science

In episode five of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Robin Cotton, Director of the Master of Science Program in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine, and Dr. Daniele Podini, a professor in the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University, to discuss Forensic Biology and DNA. Forensic biology can be described as the application of biochemistry and cellular biology to solve forensic problems. These techniques have evolved over the years with increasing sensitivity, are routinely used to identify individuals through DNA, and provide information on biological materials present at a crime scene. Listen along as Dr. Cotton and Dr. Podini discuss their interesting career journeys, the importance of criminal law and ethics training, and the value of student research involving statistical analysis and interpretation. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode four of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Assistant Professor Jessica Zarate and 5th year student Kristen Szabelski at Madonna University in Michigan as well as Dr. Christine Picard, an Associate Professor and Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, or IUPUI, to discuss their hands-on impression and pattern education programs.

Many people will immediately think of fingerprints or bloodstain patterns when mentioning impression and pattern forensics. However, the section is quite diverse and includes the analysis of additional types of evidence such as footwear impressions, firearm toolmarks, and questioned documents. Listen along as Dr. Picard, Professor Zarate, and Kristen Szabelski discuss the importance of research, and experiences in impression and pattern education programs from their different perspectives. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode three of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Mark McCoy, Professor and Administrator of the Digital Evidence and Cyber Security Program at the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute, and Josh Brunty, an Associate Professor of Digital Forensics in the School of Forensic & Criminal Justice Sciences at Marshall University, to discuss the field of digital forensics, the importance of research and collaboration, and the development of dynamic academic programs.

Digital forensics is still considered one of the newer forensic science disciplines; however, it is a field that is rapidly growing. With devices from smart refrigerators to video game consoles constantly collecting user data, the science behind digital forensics must be ready to pivot with every software update and additional device available on the market. Tune in as Dr. McCoy and Professor Brunty discuss digital forensics versus cyber security, careers and research opportunities for those with strong computer science backgrounds, and an outlook for the field of digital forensics. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode two of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sarah Williams, a Research Associate Professor in Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and Dr. Keith Morris, a Ming Hsieh Distinguished Teaching Professor of Forensic & Investigative Science at West Virginia University to discuss undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate programs in forensic science. This season, Just Science will explore a variety of forensic science programs and the growing need for more doctoral programs. Recent years have also presented unique challenges for hands-on research with the COVID-19 pandemic and misconstrued expectations stemming from the CSI effect, forcing universities and their students to adapt. Listen along as Dr. Morris and Dr. Williams discuss Ph.Ds. in forensic science and the role of NIJ and FEPAC in providing research and education opportunities for the next generation of forensic science professionals. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode one of our Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, Just Science sat down with Dr. José Almirall, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Director of the National Science Foundation-funded Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science at Florida International University, and Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, Professor and Chair of the Forensic Science Department at Sam Houston State University and Director of the Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation, to discuss the inception of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and chemistry programs in forensic science. Built on the foundation of the Technical Working Group on Education and Training in Forensic Science, or TWGED, FEPAC became an official standing committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and awarded its first accreditation in February 2004. Since then, over 50 undergraduate and master’s level forensic science programs have been accredited in the United States. Listen along as Dr. Almirall and Dr. Kerrigan discuss their roles as founding members and early adopters of FEPAC, training the next generation of forensic chemists, and the importance of expanding the number of forensic science Ph.D. programs. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In the final episode of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, a sexual assault survivor, advocate, author, and founder of Natasha’s Justice Project, to discuss advocacy for vulnerable populations and trauma-informed approaches to sexual assault. As a sexual assault survivor and advocate, Natasha Alexenko has dedicated her career to improving the lives of sexual assault survivors. She has worked both nationally and internationally to discuss past, present, and future directions for an improved response to sexual assault. Listen along as she discusses sexual assault response reform and her recent trauma-informed advocacy efforts with refugees and Native American populations. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode four of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachael Goodman-Williams, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Wichita State University, and Dr. Jessica Volz, Clinical Director of Forensics at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, to discuss why survivors sometimes choose not to report their sexual assault. After receiving medical care and undergoing forensic evidence collection following a sexual assault, some survivors choose to forego filing a report with law enforcement. Dr. Rachael Goodman-Williams and Dr. Jessica Volz have collaborated on research to further explain why survivors may choose an anonymous or non-reporting option for these sexual assault cases. Listen along as they discuss their findings and why research in this area is needed to ensure victims’ rights and choices are supported in this episode of Just Science. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode three of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Kelly Taylor, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Sexual Assault Care Coordinator, and Forensic Healthcare Program Manager, to discuss trauma-informed support for sexual assault survivors and the prevalence of strangulation in sexual assault cases. Trauma-informed, victim-centered expertise and support from sexual assault nurse examiners is crucial to providing appropriate medical attention and helping a survivor heal. Without it, survivors may not fully disclose all aspects of the incident and whether strangulation occurred, leaving injuries that may go untreated. Listen along as Kelly Taylor discusses how her work as a SANE and a multidisciplinary team member broadened her understanding of trauma-informed care and honed her interview best practices to support survivors of sexual assault and strangulation. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode two of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, a Researcher, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and the Associate Dean of Brigham Young University’s College of Nursing, to discuss sexual assault cases involving strangulation and dating apps. While working as a sexual assault nurse examiner, Dr. Valentine and colleagues noticed an increase in survivors reporting violent sexual assaults that occurred after meeting someone through a dating app. They also observed that these violent sexual assaults showed higher rates of strangulation, a trend that was supported by one of her recent research studies. Listen in as Dr. Valentine discusses her current research on sexual assault and dating apps, legislative implications, and the prevalence of strangulation in sexual assault cases.

This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode one of our 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Mary Weston, the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Supervisor of the Cold Case Unit, and Project Manager of the Sexual Assault Kit Task Force at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office to discuss sexual assault response with vulnerable populations. Different challenges may arise when prosecuting sexual assault cases involving vulnerable populations, including cases with male victims. Listen along as Mary Weston discusses strategies for effective prosecution of cases with male victims, provides rationales for why members of vulnerable populations may be targeted for sexual assault, and presents considerations for the safety, healing, and well-being of survivors. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.