Just Science

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Just Facial Recognition For Forensic Investigations Nov 10, 2023

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In episode 6 of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Richard Vorder Bruegge, Senior Physical Scientist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to discuss how facial recognition technology was used to help identify individuals in photographs in two landmark cases. Many individuals encounter facial recognition technology in their everyday lives like when they unlock their phones. This same technology can help significantly speed up and improve forensic investigations. Listen along as Dr. Vorder Bruegge describes how pattern-based matching is used to compare faces in images, how facial recognition technology was used to assist in the identification of unknown victims in the case against serial killer Israel Keyes, and the quest to determine the identities of the Marines in the famous World War II Iwo Jima flag raising photograph. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Forensics In The Digital Age Nov 03, 2023

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In episode five of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Justin Schorr, Principal Collision Reconstruction Engineer, and Tim Primrose, Mobile Forensic Analyst, at DJS Associates, Inc. to discuss utilizing digital evidence in real-world cases. In the digital age, forensic technology has broad applications for investigations. From cell phone, social media account, and car infotainment system data to three-dimensional modeling for crime scene reconstruction, technology is becoming a staple in forensics. Listen along as Dr. Schorr and Tim describe what kinds of digital evidence is applicable to investigations, the limitations and court considerations for forensic technology, and case examples on how mobile forensics and reconstruction simulations were effectively used to further investigations. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Adding Value Using Voice Identification Oct 27, 2023

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In episode four of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Josh Yonovitz, expert witness in forensic audio, to discuss the history of utilizing voice identification in investigations and the current state of forensic audio. In the 1960’s, voice identification started being used in forensics, but the original voiceprint analysis used was proven to be inaccurate. Nowadays, forensic scientists use a methodology known as Aural-Acoustic Speaker Identification, which is scientifically accepted, but poorly understood. Listen along as Josh describes components of forensic audio, the software and training needed for forensic voice identification, and how forensic audio analysis has helped solve cases. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Footwear Forensics To Further Investigations Oct 20, 2023

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In episode three of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Laura Matson, an Advanced Latent Print and Footwear Examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories, to discuss the value of providing footwear investigative leads. Footwear impressions are commonly found in crime scenes; however, these impressions can be difficult to detect and collect which leads to the underutilization of footwear evidence. While traditional footwear analysis compares unknown impressions to a known shoe, footwear investigative leads provide the makes and models of shoes that may have created the unknown impression. Listen along as Laura describes using footwear investigative leads to accelerate an investigation, how her team is developing an internal footwear database, and advice for other agencies that want to further utilize footwear evidence. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Collecting More Evidence From Cartridge Cases Oct 13, 2023

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In episode two of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Crime Scene Technician Brian Turner and Detective Roberto Caceres from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to discuss a new methodology for processing fired cartridge cases. When a cartridge case is recovered from a crime scene, investigators must typically decide whether to swab it for DNA or process it for latent prints. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has developed a promising new technique that involves processing a cartridge case for both DNA and fingerprints, leading to more evidence available in shooting cases. Listen along as Brian and Detective Caceres describe what factors affect recovery of evidence on cartridge cases, how the M-VAC and the Recover LFT system are utilized in tandem to process for DNA and fingerprints, and case examples highlighting the success of this new method. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Investigating A No-Body Homicide In Canada Oct 06, 2023

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In episode one of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Ian Oxton, Forensic Identification Specialist for the Calgary Police Service, to discuss a triple homicide case involving the longest lasting Amber Alert in Alberta, Canada’s history. Operation Amber started as a race against the clock for a missing child and his grandparents, then quickly evolved into a massive search effort on a 40-acre property. During the investigation, a wide range of forensic techniques, including aerial photography, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic odontology, and footwear analysis, were utilized to resolve the case. Listen along as Ian describes his role as the Primary Forensics Investigator on the case, the challenges of prosecuting a no-body homicide, and the many lessons learned from this groundbreaking case. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award No. 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Addressing Judicial Biases Against Teenagers of Color Sep 29, 2023

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In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Kristin Henning, Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law and Author of The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth, to discuss the biases that exist in the American criminal legal system, which disproportionally and negatively impact teenagers of color. Decades of developmental psychology research supports that adolescence is a period marked by risk-taking behaviors, experimentation, and susceptibility to peer influence. While these features of adolescence are normal for all teenagers, teenagers of color are disproportionately punished by the American criminal legal system for behaviors that are developmentally appropriate. Listen along as Professor Henning describes what typical adolescent behavior looks like, the depiction of adolescence and race in the media, and the movement to better inform criminal legal system practitioners about this unique developmental period. This episode is funded by RTI International’s Transformative Research Unit for Equity and the 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.

Just Tools For Effective Courtroom Practices Sep 22, 2023

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In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers, an attorney advisor with AEquitas, to discuss her experience working on the Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics training series, as a part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics training series aims to identify and develop resources that help prosecutors and other professionals effectively prepare sexual assault cases for trial and bring a victim’s voice to the courtroom. Specifically, utilizing forensic technology and forensic evidence can be important for advancing justice in a sexual assault case. Listen along as Patti describes some of the innovative tools that have been developed through this training series, her experience taking a multidisciplinary approach to training, and the importance of trauma-informed trial preparation. 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.

Just School-Based Trafficking Prevention Sep 01, 2023

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In episode four of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Drs. Lilly Yu and Josh Hendrix, research scientists at RTI International, to discuss a project which documents the implementation of school-based human trafficking safety and prevention programs. For decades, school systems have incorporated safety and prevention programs into their day-to-days, and in recent years, funding is being allocated for developing human trafficking prevention education for students, staff, and educators. As a part of the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education Demonstration Grant Program, researchers are evaluating these new school-based human trafficking prevention programs to understand their implementation across eight local educational agencies. Listen along as Drs. Yu and Hendrix discuss the goals of human trafficking prevention education in schools, the challenges of developing a standard program to be used across diverse educational districts, and the activities that are used to evaluate these types of programs. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I).

Just Estimating Labor Trafficking In Houston Aug 25, 2023

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In episode three of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Kelle Barrick, Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer, and Natasha Aranguren, research scientists at RTI International, to discuss a study which estimates the prevalence of labor trafficking in Houston as a part of the larger Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project. Understanding the scope and nature of human trafficking exploitation is crucial for informing appropriate policy responses both in the United States and internationally. Based on existing knowledge about human trafficking nationwide, researchers from the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project selected constructions workers in Houston, Texas as a key population for studying the prevalence of labor trafficking. Listen along as Dr. Barrick, Dr. Pfeffer, and Natasha discuss the importance of accurately estimating prevalence rates of human trafficking, the recruitment strategies and methodology used in their study, and how they overcame specific challenges associated with this kind of research. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

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