Just Science

Latest Episodes:

Just An Announcement Feb 27, 2020

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Hello and welcome to Just Science, a podcast for justice professionals and anyone interested in learning more about forensic science, innovative technology, current research, and actionable strategies to improve the criminal justice system. This announcement was funded by the Center for Forensic Sciences at RTI International

Just Innocence Project_Improving the System_122 Feb 07, 2020

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In episode four of the Improving the System season. Just Science interviews Sarah Chu, Senior Advisor on Forensic Science Policy at the Innocence Project, about their work to end wrongful conviction. Currently, there are over 2,500 cases on the National Registry of Exonerations. Organizations like the Innocence Project work tirelessly to put an end to wrongful convictions. They rely on people familiar with both policy and forensic science – people like Sarah Chu. Listen along as she discusses the Innocence Project and the impact that it has had on the criminal justice system in this episode of Just Science. The recording originally took place on May 5th, 2018 and some data may have changed since then. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just the Organization of Scientific Area Committees_Improving the System_121 Jan 30, 2020

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In episode three of the Improving the System season, Just Science interviews John Paul Jones and Mark Stolorow of NIST about the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science. The 2009 National Academy of Sciences report on forensic science cited a lack of national leadership and scientifically sound standards. Its authors specifically looked to NIST to bridge these gaps in the forensic science arena. Listen along as our guests from NIST discuss developing standards and the creation of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just a Profile in Forensic R&D Innovations_Improving the System_120 Jan 23, 2020

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In episode two of the Improving the System season, Just Science met with Gerry LaPorte, former Director of the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at NIJ, to discuss forensic science research and development innovations. Over the course of his career, Gerry LaPorte has worked with scores of agencies across multiple disciplines on varied, high-profile cases. From granular points about chemistry to the philosophy of science at large, this 2018 conversation reflects the diversity of his résumé. Listen along as our guest discusses the value of statistics, the definition of light, and his experience working as Chief Forensic Chemist with the Secret Service in this episode of Just Science. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just the NIJ Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and ME/Coroner Offices_119 Jan 13, 2020

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In episode one of the Improving the System season, Just Science interviews Dr. Jonathan McGrath, Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences at the National Institute of Justice, about the recently published NIJ Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner, Coroner Offices Report to Congress. Listen along as he discusses the findings of the report and the challenges faced by both forensic laboratories and medical examiner, coroner offices. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just Building Workforce Resiliency_Special Release_118 Dec 17, 2019

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The impact that stress has on a person’s mind and body can be dramatic, but the effects are amplified when the stressors involve violent, graphic, or traumatic material. Amy Jeanguenat and Andrew Levin are working to provide support to those affected by this vicarious trauma, with an emphasis on forensic scientists and first responders. Listen along as they discuss stress, mindfulness, and the future of resiliency in this episode of Just Science. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just the Impact of Lawfully-Owed DNA Collection_DNA_117 Nov 06, 2019

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In the final episode of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Jayann Sepich, co-founder of the non-profit organization DNA Saves, about lawfully owed arrestee DNA. In 2003, 22-year-old Katie Sepich was raped and murdered within five blocks of her home in New Mexico. Using skin and blood found under her fingernails, investigators were able to produce a full DNA profile and uploaded it to CODIS. Her killer was identified three years later. Now, in 2019, her mother Jayann Sepich continues to advocate for lawfully owed DNA. Listen along as she discusses expanding the DNA Database and the importance of arrestee DNA collection in this episode of Just Science. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just USACIL and Direct-to-DNA_DNA_116 Oct 31, 2019

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In episode seven of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Molly Hall, an examiner for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, about their transition to a Direct-to-DNA approach to processing sexual assault kits. The United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory acts as the true crime lab for the entire Department of Defense and serves all branches of the military. With roughly 2,000 sexual assault kits being submitted per year, they needed to find a way to efficiently process these kits without being bogged down by screening or an influx in submissions. Listen along as Molly Hall discusses Sexual Assault Kit processing and why their lab made the switch to a Direct-to-DNA approach in this episode of Just Science. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just Improving Workflow Efficiency_DNA_115 Oct 24, 2019

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In episode six of the DNA season, Just Science interviews Leslie Parke and Jamie Haas of Signature Science, a private DNA laboratory based in Austin, Texas, about increasing workflow efficiency in their lab. From twenty cases a month to thousands of cases per year, Signature Science has shown significant growth in their lab’s capacity. By introducing automation and eliminating unnecessary steps in the DNA analysis process, Parke and Haas have proven that there are always ways to improve the efficiency of a forensic laboratory. Listen along as they discuss the benefits of eliminating serological testing and the impact that automation has had on their lab in this episode of Just Science. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just the Golden State Killer_DNA_114 Oct 16, 2019

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In the last episode of Just Science, Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter shared her techniques for creating family trees and discussed the resolution of her first cold case. In episode five of the DNA season, we continue that conversation. In February 2017, Forensic Magazine published an article detailing the Bear Brook Murders, an abandoned girl, and Rae-Venter's involvement in the resolution of a cold case that tied them all together. One month later, she was contacted by investigator Paul Holes and was on the hunt yet again. Listen along as she discusses building a profile and explains how she used investigative genetic genealogy to identify the Golden State Killer. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

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