Just Science Podcast

Through discussing and reflecting on real-world case examples, we are able to better understand the capabilities and limitations of forensic technologies and processes. In this year’s Case Studies season, host Mikalaa Martin sits down with forensic science practitioners, representing expertise in a diverse set of forensic disciplines, to discuss their presentations from the 2024 International Association for Identification Forensic Educational Conference.  With topics ranging from inadvertently photographed ridge detail to mass disaster response and more, listen along as guests share their lessons learned through case examples and describe how they are utilizing both emerging and established methodologies and technologies to more effectively resolve cases and respond to catastrophes.  

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

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This season of Just Science highlights the strategies to support the economic empowerment of people who have experienced human trafficking. Economic abuse is inherent to the experience of human trafficking and often leaves survivors with many financial needs to be addressed.  Access to financial support, professional development, and safe and sustainable employment are often cited as top needs among those seeking support. Throughout this season, members of the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project sit down with experts in the anti-trafficking field to discuss the emergence of a wide range of economic empowerment programs. Episodes will cover core concepts in economic empowerment as they relate to human trafficking, and practical implementation of potential solutions including job training, career development, and direct financial assistance programs.

This season is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). The views expressed in these podcasts belong to the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Pattie Melton, Co-Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Forensics Training and Technical Assistance, or TTA, Program, and Paige Presler-Jur, Associate Project Director for State-based Awards TTA team on BJA’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use (COSSUP) Program and the COSSUP Post-arrest, Pretrial, Defense Counsel, and Courts TTA team, to discuss the importance of TTA – a component of many federal grant programs that helps grant recipients meet their goals and improve program outcomes. 

When an agency receives a federal grant, they may be faced with a myriad of challenges including setting scalable goals, tracking important program metrics, and planning for sustainability. As a result, training and technical assistance is built into many federal grant programs, so that experts from a separate organization can provide resources and support grant recipients throughout their period of performance. Listen along as Dr. Melton and Paige describe the strategies that TTA providers use when working with grant recipients, the importance of tailoring TTA to meet the unique needs of a community, and how TTA enhances the impact of important federally funded projects.  

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

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