Coffee With a Criminalist

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Latest Episodes:

Season 1 Finale: 2011Reno Air Races Crash Jul 01, 2021

Cheers to a great first season of Coffee with a Criminalist! As we have discussed not all our calls for service are criminal in nature, we will assist with mass casualty scenarios and suspicious circumstances as well. This week we look at how we aided in the investigation of the 2011 Reno Air Races crash.

This week we are fueled by Blush and Bone, a local business that is all things radical self-care. From non-toxic mani/pedis, reiki and massage, to rad apoptogenic elixirs - this place has a little something for everyone! you can find them here!

Be on the look out this fall for some Season 2 teasers and when to expect us back full time!

Season 1 Wrap-up and Blooper Reel Jun 24, 2021

This is our last mini episode and next week is our season finale. We hope you enjoyed the season and possibly learned a thing or two, we know we did! Catch some of our bloopers in this week’s mini episode and don’t forget to enter our giveaway for your chance to win a tour of the crime lab, time is running out! Thanks for joining us this season and we look forward to having a cup of coffee with you in season two!

Part 3: Case Highlight, Michelle Mitchel, Gypsy Hill Killings, Hammer Slayer Jun 17, 2021

This week we look at how several cold cases from 1976 helped allow for the retroactive DNA collection of offenders in our state. We explain the important role innocence projects play in exonerations, and why some cold cases never get a hit in CODIS. Additionally, we finish up our chat with Steve Gresko, so grab that cup of coffee and settle in!

This episode is fueled by Reno Coffee Company. A local pour over café with a trendy atmosphere, great service, and hip drinks! You can find them on Wells Ave!

Here is the referenced link to the 564 bills passed this legislative session!

Part 2: Case Highlight, Brianna Denison Jun 10, 2021

In this week’s episode we discuss the 2008 murder of college student Brianna Denison, how YSTR analysis played an import role in connecting this case to several others, and the impact it had on Nevada arrestee laws.

This week we are fueled by @rainshadowcoffeesierra. A newer roastery in south Reno that originated in Washington but is owned by a local husband and wife duo! We enjoyed our coffee from our favorite @withlovefromreno.co mugs.

Part 1: Case Highlight, Lisa Marie Bonham Jun 03, 2021

This week on the podcast we feature Part I of the CODIS series. In this episode we discuss what the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is and we look at our lab’s first ever CODIS hit in our review of the 1977 abduction and murder of Lisa Marie Bonham. Be sure to tune in the next two weeks for Parts II and III of the series where we highlight three other major cases and how state specific CODIS laws help solve crime in our area.

Pints, cocktails, and shots - OH MY! May 28, 2021

Consuming alcohol is a popular activity, especially here in the Biggest Little City. Alcohol can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Driving under the influence is a serious risk to both the driver and others on the road. Please remember to always have a sober ride ready. With ride share apps and smart phones it's never been easier to ensure the safety of your self and those around you. This episode isn't fuel by a local coffee shop. Instead, we opted to share with you our favorite alcoholic beverage and where in town we like to kick back and drink responsibly. Most are familiar with road side breath testing, but many are unaware of what happens after the initial stop, and how forensics plays a role. In this episode we walk you through the process of a traffic stop, explain how alcohol impairs your ability to operate a vehicle, and how our breath alcohol section works to keep evidentiary breath testing equipment up and running for Northern Nevada. Additionally, we look at how COVID-19 precautions greatly impacted our state's breath testing program and how our lab over came this hurdle.

Bodean and Darby's Guest Interview on 'Policing Matters' May 20, 2021

We know you are used to us doing the question asking, but this time we are in the hot seat! And no, its not in the court room this time! We were asked to be guests on the podcast "Policing Matters' with the host Jim Dudley. Jim asked some great questions and we thought we would share our answers with you.

The Policing Matters podcast on PoliceOne.com addresses issues and topics that are centered on Public Safety and Law Enforcement. The 20-30 minute, weekly show, features experts and authorities on topics ranging from crime issues, to officer wellness, technology, and life after policing.

The show host, Jim Dudley, is a retired Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations and the Investigations Bureau of the San Francisco Police Department. After 32 years of service, he continues to serve as a member of faculty, teaching Criminal Justice Studies to the next generation of Public Safety Leaders at the San Francisco State University. He maintains associations with the FBI National Academy Associates, IACP, PERF, the American Society of Evidence Based Policing, and others. He has a Master’s Degree in Criminology from UC Irvine, a BA in CJ Studies from SFSU and is an FBI NA Graduate.

Thanks again to Jim for having us!

Talk About A Glow Up May 13, 2021

From humble beginnings the field of forensic science has transformed into a regulated field of scientific experts. In the last seventy years there have been major advancements in technology and regulation that have shaped the field that we have made our careers in. In this episode we pay homage to the scientists and tests that have come before us and share with you some of the notable milestones along the way.

This week's episode is fueled by Coffeebar. Coffeebar is an “Italian café experience” that serves up a cup of coffee suitable for anyone and also serves paninis, breakfast burritos, and sweet treats. Coffeebar believes in sourcing from farmer straight to the guest. Check them out here!

Case Highlight: Judy Calder May 06, 2021

This week we are taking a look at another local homicide case. This case covers the murder of Judy Calder, a local Professor, and the use of luminol testing in criminal investigations. If you are a crime show enthusiast its likely you have seen or heard of luminol, the test that lights up to indicate there might be trace blood stains present. In this episode we discuss the power of this test along with the pro's and con's to using it at crime scenes, and its use in this particular investigation.

Sexual Assault and AB97 in Northern Nevada Apr 29, 2021

For the past 20 years the month of April has been dedicated to sexual assault awareness. We found it fitting, on this last day of April, to visit the topic of sexual assault in our state. In this episode, we chat with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) to learn what a forensic examination entails and what to do to if you or someone you know becomes a survivor of sexual assault. Northern Nevada is in need of additional SANEs. If you are a registered nurse and are interested in becoming certified please contact Debra Robison at drobison@da.washoecounty.us Additionally, we sit down with one of the Biology Unit supervisors to discuss how Nevada, like many other states across the the U.S, has been and is dealing with the topic of unsubmitted and untested sexual assault kits. We touch on Nevada's Assembly Bill 97 and some of the requirements in the Victim Bill of Rights.

This week's episode is fueled by Pangolin café. As purveyors of artisan Turkish Delight, the crew at pangolin serves up this lovely treat along with English toffee, craft coffee and tea. Stop in an enjoy one of their many items. Additionally Emmy's Flower Truck frequents this café as a local pit stop for flower sales. So if planned right you might be able to score a custom bouquet along with your sweet treats!

Q&A with Bodean and Darby Part II Apr 22, 2021

Another mini episode where we answer your questions! Thank you so much for sending in your curiosities and reaching out. This week we explain some of the odd things we have obtained DNA profiles from, geek out over new DNA technologies, and explain that our jobs can be just like any other "normal job".

Episode 3: Behind The Yellow Tape Apr 15, 2021

Yellow tape, the boundary that separates the rest of the world from a crime scene. If you've ever driven past the tape and flashing lights and craned your neck to see just beyond the barrier, this episode is for you! This week we sit down with Sayer Dion-Smyczek from our crime scene unit. Sayer dishes up the 411on the sights, smells, and challenges of doing scene work.

This episode is fueled by Ripple Effect Coffee Co. A Reno cold brew coffee company that has a delivery service! This small business was created and founded by Nicole Franks, a strong, confident, and kind woman who truly believes in doing good in this world. To find out how to get your very own growler of of this amazing cold brew (delivered right to your door) click here! Be sure to pay attention this episode, Ripple Effect is offering you a 10% discount on your first purchase!

Q&A with Bodean and Darby Apr 08, 2021

This week we are answering some of your questions AND introducing this season's big GIVEAWAY! You can win a crime lab tour for you and one guest! Here's what to do to be entered to win:

1) Visit the coffee shops we feature and post a picture of your drink and/ or visit

2) Tag the coffee shop’s Instagram

3) Use the hashtag #coffeewithacriminalist in your post

Every post is an entry! The winner will be drawn at random at the end of season 1.

Forensically Filed: The who, what, where, when, and why of the WCSOFSD Apr 02, 2021

This week on Coffee with a Criminalist we are sitting down with Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam and Crime Lab Director Kerri Heward and discussing how we provide services to local law enforcement. Sheriff Balaam shares how the agency is organized, what it means to have a crime lab at the SO, and what misconceptions he once had about forensics. While Crime Lab Director Kerri Heward dives into the accreditation our lab holds, discusses which sections of the lab have eliminated their backlogs, and how the lab dealt and is dealing with COVID-19.

In this episode we are sipping on Lighthouse Coffee! A local Reno coffee shop that roasts in house and is family owned and operated. They make their coffee with LOVE and you can taste that with every cup.

Case Highlight: Krystal Steadman Mar 26, 2021

Welcome to our first mini session. We aim to use these weeks to answer the questions you guys submit to us. Additionally we will feature a few short case highlights to give real life examples of how science can aid criminal investigations, and how some cases leave impacts in our local community. Today we discuss the homicide of Krystal Steadman and the Nevada Amber Alert Program. We briefly discuss genetic kinship and parentage. For more information about the basics of DNA click here!

A Cuppa Criminalists Mar 19, 2021

Gab a cup of coffee and get to know your hosts Bodean and Darby. They share about how they started their careers in forensic science, misconceptions about the field, real hardships that come with the job, and who they are behind the lab coats. This episode is fueled by the local Reno coffee shop, Old World Coffee Lab.

Season 1 Episode 1 Trailer Mar 12, 2021

Be sure to tune in on March 19th for our fist episode EVER! As a Cuppa Criminalists spill the tea on what it's like to work in forensics.

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