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Category: Multi-Media
Forensics TTA

Unidentified Human Remains Investigations 101

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this webinar features guest speakers Lara Newell from the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Senior Special Agent Douglas R. Hubert from the Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation. They provide an overview of how to navigate unidentified human remains investigations from both the medical examiner and law enforcement perspectives. Specifically, the presenters discuss the intricacies of the investigative process, considerations for available evidence, and how to utilize national organizations for assistance. Attendees also examine a case that originated in 1987 and explore how advancements in forensic technology and investigative methods would significantly change the way the case is approached today.
August 2025
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Discussion Forum – IACME and NAME Accreditation Audit Process

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum Session, IACME and NAME Accreditation Audit Process, features guest speakers Mr. John Fudenberg from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME), Dr. Ponni Arunkumar from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), and Mr. Brett Harding from Ada County Coroner’s Office. The presenters provide an overview of the accreditation process for both NAME and IACME, including key details about virtual and on-site audits, along with sharing insights and preparation tips for a successful path to accreditation.
May 2025
Forensics TTA

Forensics TTA Calendar of National Events

The Forensics TTA calendar of events provides a centralized view of national conferences, trainings, and other events of interest to BJA Forensics Program grantees. This calendar is a downloadable resource designed to assist grantees with effective planning of event attendance when supported by BJA Forensics Program funding. Event entries are color coded by event type – conferences, trainings, and other (e.g., meetings, convenings). Clicking on a color-coded event entry produces a pop-up box which provides information including its name, date(s), and location along with a direct link to the event’s main page for additional details such as the agenda and registration, travel, and lodging information. Questions about applying or utilizing BJA funding to attend any events presented on this calendar should be directed to your assigned BJA Policy and Programs Office representatives. Explore the calendar today and contact the Forensics TTA team via ForensicsTTA@rti.org with any questions or suggestions for ensuring this resource best fits your needs!
May 2025
Forensics TTA

University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) Resources Webinar

This webinar focuses on the resources offered for missing and unidentified persons cases through the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI). Presented by UNTHCHI team members Mark Pooley, Dixie Peters, and Robert Moore, this webinar includes guidance on submitting samples for DNA analysis, utilizing Forensic Genetic Genealogy in your casework, and accessing UNTCHI resources for sexually motivated Jane and John Doe homicide cases and indigenous missing and unidentified persons cases.
April 2025
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Grantee Orientation Webinar – Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program

This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) introducing the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program grantees to the overall BJA team that works collectively to administer their award funds including the BJA Policy Office and BJA Programs Office. This webinar provides useful training and information on how to accept awards; how to submit progress reports and Grant Award Modifications; and provides other information/best practices to support the award management and grant monitoring activities of this project. This webinar also introduces the Forensics TTA team and how this TTA program aims to support MUHR grantees.
March 2025
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Grantee Orientation Webinar – Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) introducing the Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grantees to the overall BJA team that works collectively to administer their award funds including the BJA Policy Office and BJA Programs Office. This webinar provides useful training and information on how to accept awards; how to submit progress reports and Grant Award Modifications; and provides other information/best practices to support the award management and grant monitoring activities of this project. This webinar also introduces the Forensics TTA team and how this TTA program aims to support CEBR grantees.
December 2024
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Discussion Forum Session #1

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum Session, Utilizing the Loan Repayment Option of the Forensics Pathology Fellowships Purpose Area, features guest speakers from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CT OCME), a Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program grantee. During this Discussion Forum Session, BJA highlights ME/C Program requirements, available funding, and dispersal procedures. The CT OCME shares their insights on the loan forgiveness option and how it benefited their agency and fellowship program. Dr. Cori Clark, current Associate Medical Examiner and former grant-funded Fellow of the CT OCME, shares their perspective on how the loan repayment option and the ME/C Program benefited them during their fellowship. This Discussion Forum Session also features a question-and-answer segment, open discussion, and poll questions to garner ME/C Program grantee needs and challenges that Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) could positively support.
December 2024
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Grantee Orientation Webinar – Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Postconviction) Program

This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) introducing the Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Postconviction) Program grantees to the overall BJA team that works collectively to administer their award funds including the BJA Policy Office and BJA Programs Office. This webinar provides useful training and information about the Postconviction Program; highlights specific award conditions such as performance management and measures; shares how to submit progress reports and Grant Award Modifications; and provides other information/best practices to support the award management and grant monitoring activities of this project. This webinar also introduces the Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program and Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice and highlights how these two TTA providers work to support Postconviction Program grantees.
December 2024
Forensics TTA

Texas State University’s Operation Identification: Numbers to Names

This webinar offers an in-depth look at Texas State University’s (TSU’s) Operation Identification (OpID) project and its mission to investigate, identify, and repatriate unidentified human remains (UHRs) discovered near the South Texas border. During this webinar, the presenter explores how OpID addresses gaps in medicolegal death investigations, manages UHRs, and fosters collaboration across jurisdictions and internationally. This session also highlights OpID’s ongoing efforts to connect families with their missing loved ones, shedding light on the critical work being done to support these investigations.

Dr. Kate Spradley is the Director of OpID and a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at TSU. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in 2000 and completed her PhD at the University of Tennessee in 2006. As a biological anthropologist, Dr. Spradley’s research focuses on human biological variation, forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and quantitative methods.

September 2024
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Office Hours Session #1

This office hours session enabled Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program grantees to engage with members from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) ME/C Team and the Forensics TTA ME/C Team. During this office hours session, BJA provided ME/C Program updates, highlighted resources available to BJA Forensics Programs grantees, and provided information on how to navigate reporting to BJA highlighting topics such as progress reports and Grant Adjustment Modifications (GAMs). Additionally, the Forensics TTA Team highlighted recent TTA resources available to BJA Forensics Programs grantees. This office hours session featured a question-and-answer segment, open discussion, and poll questions to garner ME/C grantee needs and challenges that TTA could positively support.
August 2024