Category: Multi-Media

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.

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.
Forensics TTA

U.S. Border Patrol Foreign Operations Division Missing Migrant Program

This webinar highlights the Missing Migrant Program, exploring how the U.S. Border Patrol strives to prevent migrant disappearances and deaths, assists with locating missing persons and identifying human remains, and collaborates with various agencies and organizations to support investigators and provide answers to families of the missing.
Forensics TTA

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

The purpose of this 60-minute webinar is to provide details and guidance for potential applicants to the Fiscal Year 2024 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) MUHR Program solicitation. The MUHR Program furthers the Justice Department’s mission of increasing public safety by providing resources to locate and identify missing persons and unidentified human remains in the United States. During this webinar, BJA provided a solicitation overview to discuss the purposes, goals, and deliverables of this funding opportunity; reviewed the eligibility requirements, solicitation categories, and permissible uses of funds; provided guidance on how to apply for the program; and addressed frequently asked questions. Additionally, the Forensics TTA Team overviewed the provisions of support offered to BJA Forensics Programs grantees through the Forensics TTA Program.
Forensics TTA

DNA 101 & Evaluating Post-Conviction DNA Cases

This webinar was tailored for professionals in wrongful conviction attorney roles and conviction integrity units. It provided a peer-to-peer overview of forensic DNA analysis, encompassing topics such as DNA biology, the forensic DNA process, considerations for case reviews, and the decision on whether to conduct new DNA testing.
Forensics TTA

Overview of Migrant Casework and Challenges​ at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner

This webinar featured a brief background on the history of the United States – Mexico border, the creation of migrant policies and enforcement, the increase of migrants deaths and the challenges associated with identification, the importance of partnerships and available resources, and actual case studies from one of America’s busiest medical examiner offices involved in the forefront of migrant deaths.
Forensics TTA

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

This webinar, presented by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), features an overview of the FY2024 Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program solicitation. As part of this presentation, BJA discusses various elements of the solicitation, changes that have been implemented from previous iterations of the program, eligibility requirements, and guidance for submitting an application.
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Solicitation Webinar – Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Postconviction) Program

This webinar, presented by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), features an overview of the FY2024 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Postconviction) Program solicitation. As part of this presentation, BJA discusses various elements of the solicitation, changes that have been implemented from previous iterations of the program, eligibility requirements, and guidance for submitting an application.
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Solicitation Webinar – Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program

This webinar, presented by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), features an overview of the FY2024 Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program solicitation. As part of this presentation, BJA discusses various elements of the solicitation, changes that have been implemented from previous iterations of the program, eligibility requirements, and guidance for submitting an application.
Forensics TTA

FY2023 Grantee Orientation Webinar – Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System (ME/C) Program

This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) providing an overview of the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System (ME/C) Program to its FY2023 grantees. During the webinar, BJA introduces key personnel and provides relevant program updates, guidance on performance measures for the program, and information on grant requirements. ME/C grantees are also introduced to the Forensics TTA team and are provided details on how to support their project goals and objectives through training and technical assistance.