© 2024 All rights reserved
The 2nd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting took place on June 10-11, 2024. This archive contains the event information, recordings of presentations, PDFs of presenter slide decks, and accompanying resources. While most sessions were recorded for archival, please note that some sessions were not recorded and do not have an archive available due to presenter requests or the inclusion of sensitive content within the presentations. To view the archived event, please navigate to the 2nd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting virtual event platform and log in using the same email address and password used to attend the live event. If you did not attend the live event and this is your first time logging in, you may need to create an account or reset your password. If you need to create an account, please contact ForensicsTTA@rti.org for instructions.
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (Forensics TTA) Team, led by RTI International, is hosting the 2nd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, on June 10-11, 2024! Please note, this event is only accessible to current BJA Forensics Programs Grantees. For additional information on attendance eligibility, please navigate to the ‘Attendees’ tab above.
This year’s meeting will be virtual and will feature educational case studies and sessions on multidisciplinary approaches to criminal investigations, accreditation for forensic genetic genealogy, preparing for mass casualty events, resources available to support cold case investigations, soliciting leads for unidentified human remains cases, trauma awareness for postconviction staff retention, and much more.
Program specific breakout discussions will also be featured to provide grantees with a unique opportunity to learn more from respective BJA staff and other grantees.
Recipients of FY2022 and FY2023 funding for CEBR (Formula), ME/C, COLD, and Postconviction are required to attend per the BJA solicitation. Recipients of FY2023 funding for MUHR are also required to attend per the BJA solicitation. All other grantees are strongly encouraged to participate. Please note, this conference is optional for all Coverdell grantees.
All awardees may register up to three representatives for the meeting. These representatives should be key site team personnel to include the individual responsible for overseeing the grant management of the award. We encourage grantees to review the list of topics and draft agenda to determine which additional team members should attend.
This training will be archived for on-demand viewing for those who are unable to attend this live event.
All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
11:00 – 11:10
Opening Remarks
Presenters:
Erin Forry, Conference Emcee, RTI International
Thurston Bryant, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Dr. Angela Williamson, BJA
11:10 – 12:50
Keynote Session: The Bear Brook Murders
Presenters:
Chris Elphick, New Hampshire State Police
Kim Fallon, New Hampshire State Medical Examiner’s Office
Peter Headley, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter, Firebird Forensics Group, Inc.
In 1985, the bodies of an adult female and a young child were found
inside 55-gallon drums in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, New Hampshire. The bodies of two additional children were recovered in the same vicinity in 2000. A decades-long investigation into their deaths began to unravel with the identification of a living jane doe from California through the first application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to a criminal case. Attendees will hear how multiple agencies collaborated to connect cases across the country to identify a transient serial offender known as the “Chameleon Killer” and how kinship analysis was used to connect him to the crime scene in New Hampshire. Attendees will also hear about the various forensic disciplines used during the course of this investigation including DNA and anthropology.
12:50 – 1:00
Break
1:00 – 2:00
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Criminal Investigations
Presenters:
Jessica Weber, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Laboratory
Bryan D. Fischer, Montana Law Enforcement Academy
Christina Warren, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office
This session will discuss the vital collaborative relationship between laboratory personnel, law enforcement investigators, and attorneys seeking to resolve criminal investigations. Presenters will discuss common communication challenges between the disciplines and will offer effective communication strategies to prevent unnecessary delays in the investigation.
2:00 – 2:10
Break
2:10 – 3:10
Workshop Sessions
| Track A | Track B | Track C |
|---|---|---|
| “Fully Accredited for Forensic Genetic Genealogy” – What Does that Actually Mean for Laboratories? Presenters: Daniel Hellwig, Intermountain Forensics Dr. Michael Coble, University of North Texas Health Science Center – Center for Human Identification Erin Sweeney McBride, Bode Technology Rachel Oefelein, DNA Labs International Accreditation is the formal recognition earned by laboratories acknowledging they are qualified and competent to perform specific tasks. Recently, public and private laboratories have announced they are accredited for forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), but what does that actually mean? Attendees will hear from laboratories that are accredited for FGG and will learn how the use of an accredited FGG laboratory can impact criminal investigations and prosecutions. | Mass Casualty Events – How to Be Prepared Presenters: Julie Conover Sikorsky, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office John Fudenberg, Fudenberg and Associates, LLC During the chaos and uncertainty of a mass casualty event, accurate and timely identification of victims can pose a critical challenge. Swift decision-making becomes imperative and Forensic Science Service Providers (FSSP) must be poised to respond. From pre-deployment process setup to sample tracking and reporting to communication and analyst wellbeing, a robust plan, incorporating policies, procedures, and effective communication channels, is essential. Beyond preparedness, an understanding of previous mass casualty event responses, gained through studying the challenges and extracting the lessons learned, will enhance our ability to navigate the intricate landscape of identification. Join this panel discussion to explore real-world examples, learn from past experiences, and discover strategies for readiness in such critical scenarios. | Military Resources for Cold Case Investigations Presenters: Leah Harmon, National Archives and Records Administration SA Mark A. Platt, Naval Criminal Investigative Service SA Jessica A. Veltri, Army Criminal Investigation Division Cold Case Unit The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent agency of the United States government within the executive branch charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. In this session, the presenters will discuss NARA's comprehensive search process, detailing how investigators can request records pertinent to missing persons with a military background. The presenters will also highlight additional military resources including internal assets within the Army and Navy. From fingerprint cards to medical records, this session will explore the breadth of information available and guide attendees through the process of accessing these crucial records. |
3:10 – 3:20
Break
3:20 – 4:50
Program Specific Workshop Sessions
| Track A - CEBR | Track B - MUHR | Track C - Postconviction | Track D – ME/C, COLD, and Coverdell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovering DNA from Fired Cartridge Cases Presenters: Glenn Fahrig, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Crime Laboratory Michael T. Ambrosino, Former Special Counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office & George Washington University Improving methods to recover DNA from fired cartridge cases can impact the ability to prosecute violent crime cases involving firearms. This presentation will discuss two methods pioneered by laboratories, the number of cases tested using these methods, and their average success rates. This presentation will conclude with the impact this type of testing has on a criminal case. | Leveraging the Media to Solicit Leads for Unidentified Human Remains Cases Presenters: Carol Schweitzer, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Dr. Angela Soler, New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Julie Bolcer, New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner This session will delve into advanced facial reconstruction resources used in forensic anthropology, emphasizing the significance of sharing images via media channels to aid in victim identification. It will also discuss forensic media outreach strategies, focusing on networking with local and national media outlets to amplify the reach of investigations. Additionally, the importance of visual aids in unidentified human remains cases will be highlighted, along with effective strategies for utilizing social and traditional media platforms to gather crucial information. | Trauma Awareness for Postconviction Staff Retention Presenters: Dr. Adina M. Thompson, Quattrone Center Suzy Salamy, Innocence Project Dr. Maya Prabhu, Yale University This session will discuss the impact of primary and secondary trauma on postconviction practitioners; the unique challenges of dealing with DNA testing cases; how to prepare new staff members for the work; and best practices for staff health, retention, and career longevity. | Grant Management for Forensic Practitioners Presenters: Caroline Shriver, BJA Andrea Borchardt, BJA This session will provide an overview of the requirements for federal grant recipients, and your entity's roles and responsibilities related to your award. Attendees who are not full-time grant managers are also highly encouraged to join for guidance on how to manage your forensic grants effectively and maintain compliance with federal requirements. |
4:50 – 5:00
End-of-Day Wrap-Up Within Workshop Sessions
11:00 – 11:01
Welcome for Day 2
11:01 – 12:00
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Resources and Technologies
Presenters:
Karen Wilson, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Jodi Marsanopoli, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Charles Giblin, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
SA Darren A. Solomon, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) strives to partner with law enforcement and other public safety agencies to safeguard communities through information sharing, training, research, and the application of the latest technologies. During this session, presenters will provide an overview of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), the ATF National Firearms Examiner Academy, and the ATF Fire Research Laboratory and discuss free resources available through ATF related to firearms, toolmarks, cartridge cases, and more. Additionally, presenters will discuss ATF’s capabilities in the realm of fire investigation and the forensic science behind the violent crime of arson.
12:00 – 12:20
National Institute of Justice’s Research and Evaluation in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories Program
Presenter:
Tracey Johnson, National Institute of Justice
Starting in 2015, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) initiated an annual solicitation specifically aimed at providing funding to public forensic laboratories titled Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories. The goal of this solicitation is to support research to evaluate current laboratory methods or emerging methods. Awards under this solicitation produce deliverables that include best practices to improve efficiency, accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness as well as protocols that can be adopted by the community. Over the last eight years, this solicitation has provided funding for thirty-eight awards across multiple disciplines including DNA, impression and pattern evidence, seized drugs, and toxicology. Historic output from these awards will be highlighted as part of presentation. In addition, NIJ will recommend and provide resources to encourage public laboratories engagement with research and contributions toward building a positive research culture within the forensic sciences. NIJ will explain how these activities can assure improvements to both scientific integrity and quality within the forensic DNA discipline.
12:20 – 12:30
Break
12:30 – 1:30
Workshop Sessions
| Track A | Track B | Track C |
|---|---|---|
| DNA from Rootless Hairs Presenters: Dr. Richard (Ed) Green, Astrea Forensics & University of California, Santa Cruz Erin Sweeney McBride, Bode Technology Dr. Sudhir Sinha, InnoGenomics Rootless hair shafts, frequently encountered as crucial forensic evidence, present obstacles for conventional forensic DNA analysis due to their extensive degradation and limited nuclear DNA content. Traditionally, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing has been the preferred method for such samples. However, mtDNA, with its maternal inheritance patterns, has limitations for forensic DNA testing and human identification. To overcome this limitation, our panel will explore alternative strategies centered around extracting nuclear DNA from rootless hair shafts and highlight their success as it relates to human identification. | Utilizing Familial DNA Searching as Part of the Forensic Genetic Genealogy Process Presenters: Thomas Kohlbeck, Virginia Department of State Police Bradford Jenkins, Virginia Department of Forensic Science In states where applicable, National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) and Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program grantees using BJA funding for Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) must first complete a familial DNA search (FDS) for unknown offender cases. The process of FDS can be time-consuming, costly, and create delays for agencies seeking to move forward with FGG. This session will provide attendees with an overview of how one BJA grantee identifies cases that are potentially eligible for FDS and FGG. This session will cover the process of exhausting investigative leads leading up to this process; identifying cases where there is enough DNA for both FDS and FGG; how law enforcement and the state laboratory work together to review and complete the FDS process; and, if there are no viable leads from the FDS, moving the investigation to FGG. Case examples and specific examples of how BJA funding can be leveraged to support FDS will also be shared. | Technical Leads: What They Need to Succeed Presenters: Matthew Gamette, Idaho State Police Forensic Services Tina Walthall, Idaho State Police Forensic Services The title and role of Technical Lead is no longer reserved for DNA. This session will focus on disciplines aside from DNA and discuss the importance of this role and what knowledge, skills, and abilities those who serve in the Technical Lead role must have such as their role in the quality management system, validation management and implementation of technology, developing robust training programs, and standards implementation. Competence in these topics is necessary for a Technical Lead, and your laboratory, to succeed. |
1:30 – 1:35
Break
1:35 – 2:35
Workshop Sessions
| Track A | Track B | Track C |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Ready for Trial Presenter: Anne Marie Schubert, Former Sacramento County District Attorney & Forensics TTA Consultant Since 2018, the emergence of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) has revolutionized law enforcement's ability to solve violent crime, identify missing persons and exonerate the innocent. With this new tool in investigations and prosecutions comes a variety of legal implications and court considerations for prosecutors. This session will discuss these legal considerations, including discovery, pre-trial motions, admissibility hearings and presentation of evidence. This session will provide resources and input on best practices to ensure that privacy concerns are appropriately balanced with trial court considerations. | The Landscape of Laboratory Variability: Assessments of Suitability, Interpretations, and Statistical Analyses for DNA Mixtures Presenters: Tracey Johnson, National Institute of Justice Dr. R. Austin Hicklin, Noblis Dr. Robert Bever, Bode Technology During this session, presenters will discuss their research findings through a large-scale study investigating the variation among participating laboratories of policies, procedures, suitability assessments, interpretations, and statistical analyses using probabilistic genotyping for mixture analysis. | Project FORESIGHT – Standards for Forensic Laboratory Benchmarking and Analytics Presenters: Dr. Paul J. Speaker, West Virginia University Erin Reat, Bexar County Crime Laboratory Project FORESIGHT is a business-guided self-evaluation of forensic science laboratories across the globe. Participation in FORESIGHT is voluntary. Each participating laboratory receives (at no charge) a detailed analysis of their performance relative to all ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories in the project. A participating laboratory must submit their data using the project’s Laboratory Reporting and Analysis Tool (LabRAT), a Microsoft Excel-based tool. Faculty from the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics analyze the data from forensic crime laboratories from around the world to identify trends across laboratories and performance of individual laboratories. Laboratory managers can then assess resource allocations, efficiencies, and value of services—the mission is to measure, preserve what works, and change what does not. In this session, attendees will learn about Project FORESIGHT and how to participate. Bexar County Crime Laboratory, a FORESIGHT Maximus Award winner, will share their experience with FORESIGHT and how it has improved operations in the laboratory. |
2:35 – 2:45
Break
2:45 – 4:15
Program Specific Workshop Sessions
| Track A - ME/C | Track B - COLD | Track C - Coverdell | Track D – CEBR, MUHR, and Postconviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creating and Managing Multi-Level Educational Engagement Opportunities Presenters: Lauren Bucci, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Patrick L. Bailey, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Juniper Fedor, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Dr. Gerald Gowitt, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Claire Waliczek, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Gail Parker, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Early engagement with medical students can help bolster forensic pathology awareness and pursuit of study. This session will feature multi-level engagement opportunities medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) offices can implement including job shadowing, advanced undergraduate internships, and elective rotations with medical students and pathology residency programs. Presenters will focus on creating partnerships with schools in your area, staffing considerations, expectations of responsibilities, and discuss the benefits these programs can bring to ME/C offices. | Strengthening Cold Case Prosecutions with Non-DNA Evidence Presenters: Dawn Webber, Denver District Attorney’s Office McKenna Burke, Denver District Attorney’s Office While DNA can be invaluable evidence in a cold case prosecution, there are many other kinds of evidence that should not be overlooked. DNA evidence is the beginning, not the end, of an investigation. This session will explore the use of evidence such as the Violent Crime Apprehension Program (ViCAP), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Offline searches, finger and palm prints, and other corroborative evidence to strengthen prosecutions. | Emerging Forensic Research Presenters: Dr. Frances Scott, National Institute of Justice Dr. Igor K. Lednev, University at Albany, State University of New York Dr. Natalie L. Adolphi, New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator Jeremy S. Triplett, Kentucky State Police The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Within NIJ, the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences (OIFS) is the lead federal government agency for facilitating forensic science research and development through academic, federal, state, and local entities. OIFS mission is to strengthen the quality and practice of forensic science through research and development, testing and evaluation, technology, and information exchange. OIFS funds research in areas such as forensic DNA, trace evidence, forensic anthropology, seized drugs, forensic toxicology, crime scene investigation, and more. During this session, attendees will learn from three NIJ-funded researchers about their innovative research in nondestructive body fluid identification; performance data on seized drug analytical schemes; and applying advanced imaging methods for postmortem examination. | Grant Management for Forensic Practitioners Presenters: Caroline Shriver, BJA Andrea Borchardt, BJA This session will provide an overview of the requirements for federal grant recipients, and your entity's roles and responsibilities related to your award. Attendees who are not full-time grant managers are also highly encouraged to join for guidance on how to manage your forensic grants effectively and maintain compliance with federal requirements. |
4:15 – 4:25
Break
4:25 – 4:55
Federal Bureau of Investigation Behavioral Analysis Unit Cold Case Unit Resources
Presenter:
SSA Nathan Whiteman, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Shows like Criminal Minds, Mindhunter, and Silence of the Lambs can limit what investigators believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) capabilities to be. Outside of the unknown offender profile presented in these shows, this block of instruction will provide insight into how the BAU is organized, how to request BAU assistance, and the various resources and services available from the BAU. From cold case subject approach and engagement to prosecution strategies, the BAU is available to your cold case unit.
4:55 – 5:00
Closing
Presenter:
Dr. Angela Williamson, BJA
After submitting your registration, you will receive an email from the Forensics TTA Team within 3-5 business days with your registration confirmation.
This event will be accessible to approved attendees only, and each attendee is required to have their own Single Sign-On (SSO) Account. To expedite post-approval processing, please follow the steps outlined below. When completing your profile information, please do not include any special characters.
Please reach out to the Forensics TTA Team (ForensicsTTA@rti.org) with any questions or concerns.
© 2024 All rights reserved