Just Science

In episode four of our Human Trafficking Research season, Just Science sat down with Christina Melander, a research public health analyst at RTI International, to discuss the ongoing role of human trafficking survivors in advising and guiding systems professionals. Human trafficking systems professionals, such as researchers and policy makers, may value the opinions of those with formal academic credentials; however, real human trafficking survivors possess the experience to contribute meaningful expert information as well. Engaging in these conversations may be beneficial for survivors by providing an avenue for healing, leadership, and professional growth. Listen along as Christina discusses the ongoing effort to involve human trafficking survivors in research, the ethical challenges of survivor engagement, and her current research projects involving vulnerable populations. This episode is funded by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area.Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode three of our Human Trafficking Research season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer and Dr. Kelle Barrick, both research criminologists at RTI International, to discuss the importance of labor trafficking research as a specialized field within the broader scope of human trafficking. Labor trafficking cases can be difficult to identify and are thereby often overlooked and underfunded. Due to key differences between labor trafficking and other forms of human trafficking, it is important to independently investigate best practices for prosecution, resource allocation, and response to labor trafficking. Listen along as Dr. Pfeffer and Dr. Barrick define labor trafficking, discuss myths and misconceptions, and identify differences between labor trafficking and sex trafficking. This episode is funded by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

In episode two of our Human Trafficking Research season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Stacey Cutbush Starseed, a social scientist at RTI International, to discuss the importance of conducting human trafficking survivor outcome research. Service providers and treatment program directors are dedicated to the long-term health and recovery of human trafficking survivors; however, it is often difficult and complicated to understand the best way to provide support. To evaluate the impact and success of treatment programs, human trafficking researchers work to systematically measure a constellation of survivor outcomes over time. Listen along as Dr. Cutbush Starseed discusses the application of survivor outcome research to the creation of evidence-based treatment programs, challenges faced by researchers, and the potential effects on broad policy reform.

This episode is funded by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area.

In episode 1 of our Human Trafficking Research season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer and Dr. Kelle Barrick, both research criminologists at RTI International, to discuss how human trafficking researchers use creative statistical approaches from other scientific disciplines to paint a comprehensive and meaningful picture of human trafficking prevalence across various communities. The scope of human trafficking is often over or underestimated by the public, which can have deleterious effects on resource allocation and intervention strategy. Currently, researchers are employing quantitative methods to calculate accurate estimations of human trafficking prevalence, as well as qualitative methods to better understand the depth of survivor experience. Listen along as Dr. Pfeffer and Dr. Barrick discuss their ongoing projects, the importance of a holistic approach to research, and how to estimate the prevalence of human trafficking more accurately. This episode is funded by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area.

In episode four of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Katharine Pope, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, Dr. Bruce Anderson, a Forensic Anthropologist with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, and Joe Mullins, an Instructor at the New York Academy of Art, to discuss human identification using forensic anthropology and facial approximations. From skeletal remains found in the woods to mass casualty events, forensic anthropologists use their knowledge and expertise of biological profile estimation and skeletal trauma analysis to help establish identities for unknown individuals. Forensic artists who are trained in facial approximations use skulls and other identifying information to recreate victims’ faces. Listen along as Katharine, Dr. Anderson, and Joe discuss how their disciplines interact, coordination with various entities to resolve cases, and how to get in touch with local forensic anthropologists and forensic artists.

This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).

In episode three of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Lori Bruski and Amy Jenkinson, two Research Public Health Analysts at RTI International, to discuss interagency efforts to compile crime, missing persons, and decedent information in comprehensive databases. In the digital age, criminal justice information can be uploaded into databases and organized in a searchable centralized location, making it more accessible than ever. These government databases act as computerized indices of information that law enforcement, medicolegal death investigators, and, in some cases, the general public can use to help identify unknown human remains and resolve missing persons cases. Listen along as Lori and Amy discuss the different databases available, where to access them, and how they can be leveraged for forensic science and human identification. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).

In episode two of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Bryan Johnson, the Major Incident Program Manager in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Latent Print Unit, to discuss how postmortem prints can be used to help identify unknown decedents. One of the cheapest, easiest, and fastest methods of identifying individuals is through friction ridge prints; however, challenges can arise in cases where trauma or decomposition affect the quality of a decedent’s hands. Fortunately, there are a variety of techniques available that can facilitate the collection of high-quality postmortem prints if the hands still possess the necessary layers of skin. Listen along as Bryan discusses the advantages of postmortem printing, why identification is accomplished by latent print examiners, and how friction ridge skin is formed. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode one of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Heather McKiernan, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, and Ashley Rodriguez, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, to discuss the use of forensic genetic genealogy in identifying human remains. Oftentimes, unknown human remains are recovered fully or partially skeletonized with no close biological relatives in CODIS to facilitate identification. Therefore, combining non-traditional DNA testing with genealogical methods and research has become a powerful investigative tool to bring closure to families. Listen along as Dr. McKiernan and Ashley discuss how forensic genetic genealogy differs from searching a DNA profile in CODIS, what limitations exist when using DNA technologies to identify unknown remains, and the importance of familial reference samples. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

In episode four of our Case Studies: Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Leighton D'Antoni, the Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, Texas, to discuss how forensic genetic genealogy was used as an investigative tool to help solve a series of violent cold cases. In the 1980s, several violent sexual assaults occurred in Dallas County, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. These cases were all linked by a foreign DNA profile; however, no suspect was found, and the cases went cold. In 2020, the investigations were re-opened, and forensic genetic genealogy was used to help identify a common suspect in all six cases. Listen along as Leighton discusses the journey to bring justice to survivors almost 40 years later and the prospects of using forensic genetic genealogy as a tool to help solve previously unsolvable cases.

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

In episode three of our Case Studies Part 1 mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sharon Moses, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Northern Arizona University, to discuss forensic archaeology and locating victims of “no-body” homicides. Forensic archaeologists can play a critical role in body recovery and search strategies for locating human remains because homicide offenders' choices in body disposal sites are influenced by various social and environmental factors. Forensic archaeologists use their traditional skillset in understanding environmental factors and animal scavenging behaviors to help streamline resources, narrow search fields, and calculate a point of origin after scattered remains are found. Listen along as Dr. Moses discusses the relationship between forensic anthropology and archaeology, reconstructing human and animal behaviors, and first-hand experiences recovering human remains. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.