In response to the success of our sexual assault response reform mini season for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, 2021, Just Science is excited to release our next season: Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases. This multi-faceted season covers a variety of topics within the arena of sexual assault response reform, including sexual assault kit standardization, crossover offending, lawfully owed DNA, victim-centered interviewing, touch DNA, partially tested sexual assault kits, and much more. Tune in as we unpack sexual assault myths and address some of the key issues currently associated with  sexual assault response reform in this new season of Just Science.

Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases

In episode one of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor as Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, to discuss lawfully owed DNA. Lawfully owed DNA is defined as a sample of DNA from a qualifying offender that should have been entered into the Combined DNA Index System but was not. Although legislation defines that a qualifying offender’s DNA sample be submitted into CODIS, this historically has not always been the case, resulting in thousands of lawfully owed DNA samples. Mary Weston and Dr. Rachel Lovell are working to correct this issue in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Listen along as they discuss the collection and potential legal and research implications associated with lawfully owed DNA samples in this episode of Just Science.  

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just Lawfully Owed DNA

In episode two of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the College of Nursing and certified sexual assault nurse forensic examiner, and Heather Mills, Forensic Scientist Manager at the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services, to discuss evidence collection in sexual assault groping cases. 

As touch DNA evidence collection continues to develop, sexual assault nurse examiners and forensic scientists are poised to improve the investigation of sexual assault groping cases.  In their recently published article, “Evidence Collection and Analysis for Touch DNA in Groping and Sexual Assault Cases,” Dr. Julie Valentine and Heather Mills explore the application of touch DNA evidence collection to sexual assault investigation, specifically associated with a groping case. Listen along as they discuss their article, the advent of touch DNA technology, and the importance of interdepartmental cooperation in this episode of Just Science. 

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just Touch DNA and Sexual Assault Groping Cases

In episode three of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Natasha Alexenko, Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons to discuss trauma informed, victim-centered interviewing for sexual assault cases.   

A sexual assault victim’s experiences with law enforcement and advocates can affect the way they approach future interactions with the criminal justice system. By understanding that each victim is unique and will respond differently, investigators and advocates can meet the needs of the survivor and increase the likelihood of moving the investigation forward. Natasha Alexenko, Jordan Satinsky, and Marya Simmons have been working together to develop and promote victim-centered, trauma-informed interviewing strategies for sexual assault cases. Listen along as they discuss supporting victims of sexual assault, improving case outcomes, and maintaining victim engagement by using trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches during the interviewing process in this episode of Just Science. 

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just Trauma-Informed Victim-Centered Interviewing

In episode four of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Rachel Lovell, Research Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Mary Weston, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, to discuss a recently published article detailing the case for an “investigate all” approach to sexual assault kit investigation.   

As more jurisdictions submit their previously untested sexual assault kits, investigators are finding that many submissions do not result in a CODIS hit. But should investigators continue their efforts even though there isn’t an immediate suspect identified through CODIS? Dr. Rachel Lovell and Mary Weston provide a compelling case for investigating all previously untested sexual assault kits, regardless of whether there is a CODIS hit. Listen along as they discuss the recently published article, “The case for ‘investigate all:’ Assessing the cost-effectiveness of investigating no CODIS hit cases in a sexual assault kit initiative” in this episode of Just Science. 

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Just A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Sexual Assault Investigation

In episode five of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Marya Simmons, founder and CEO of Shift in Notion Consulting, to discuss supporting male survivors of sexual assault. 

One of the common misconceptions about sexual assault is that it is always a male perpetrator and a female victim. However, research suggests that this isn’t always the case. Marya Simmons and many advocates like her work to improve outcomes for sexual assault survivors, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Listen along as she discusses myths surrounding sexual assault and best practices for supporting male survivors in this episode of Just Science.  

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.  

Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Supporting Male Survivors Of Sexual Assault

Just Advocacy for Male Survivors Of Sexual Assault

In episode eight of our Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers to discuss considerations for sexual assault cases involving older victims. 

During her professional career as a prosecuting attorney, Patricia Powers specialized in cases involving sexual violence, domestic violence, child and adult abuse, and much more. Now, she works as an attorney advisor at AEquitas, developing and refining best practices for prosecuting sexual assault cases including those with victims from marginalized and vulnerable populations. Listen along as she discusses considerations for the effective prosecution of sexual assault cases involving older victims in this episode of Just Science. 

This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.  

Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Considerations For Older Survivors

In episode one of our Innovations in Corrections season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Christine Lindquist, Director of the Corrections and Reentry Research Program at RTI International, to discuss the importance of consulting individuals with lived experience when designing corrections and reentry research. To assist incarcerated individuals who are preparing to reenter their communities, correctional institutions are rolling out technologies, such as reentry planning software or special features on tablets or other devices, that could be helpful for developing reentry plans, communicating with service providers, and applying for work opportunities. To investigate the efficacy of these types of technology, it is crucial that researchers consult experts, such as those who were formerly incarcerated, to develop the best research questions and methodologies. Listen along as Dr. Lindquist describes why her team integrates those with lived experience throughout their corrections research, specific examples of how experts have improved research practices, and the impact this work has on individuals who are transitioning out of the correctional system. This episode is funded by RTI International’s 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 Lived Experience And Reentry Research

In episode two of our Innovations in Corrections season, Just Science sat down with Joe Russo, institutional and community corrections researcher with the University of Denver, to discuss how advancements in technology can improve the probation and parole experience for both officers and clients. Community supervision agencies, such as probation and parole offices, are responsible for providing many services to their clients, including case management, location monitoring, and drug and alcohol testing. As these agencies become more understaffed and underfunded, technological innovations can help reduce the casework of officers, while also reducing the burden on clients. Listen along as Joe describes the need for change in community supervision, the pros and cons of technology such as check-in kiosks and smartphone monitoring, and the future of research and development in this field.  This episode is funded by RTI International’s 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 Tech Advancements In Community Supervision

In episode three of our Innovations in Corrections season, Just Science sat down with Todd Craig, retired Acting Assistant Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Neal Parsons, Senior Research Scientist and Project Manager at RTI International, to discuss how technological advancements can help correctional officers prevent the introduction of contraband into jails and prisons. For correctional officers, preventing contraband from entering jails and prisons is a top priority as it can present a security threat to inmates and staff. To assist officers in their prevention efforts, researchers and practitioners are working together to implement technological solutions that can help keep contraband, such as cell phones, weapons, and controlled substances, out of correctional facilities. Listen along as Todd and Neal describe common ways that contraband enters a jail or prison, how researchers are developing technology to keep up with new contraband threats, and important logistical considerations when implementing these technologies. This episode is funded by RTI International’s 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 Preventing Contraband In Corrections With Technology

In episode four of our Innovations in Corrections season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sam Scaggs, research criminologist and corrections expert at RTI International, to discuss how automatic appointment reminders help justice-involved individuals better navigate probation-mandated behavioral health care management appointments. For those involved in the criminal justice system, missing a mandatory appointment such as a court date, treatment service, or parole visit could have serious legal consequences. To help clients manage these obligations, researchers piloted an automated digital appointment reminder system which provides users with quick and concise information about upcoming behavioral health management appointments. Listen along as Dr. Scaggs describes a two-phased approach for developing this system, preliminary results about the efficacy of appointment reminders, and the broad applications that this technology could have in the future.  This episode is funded by RTI International’s 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 Appointment Nudging For Behavioral Health Care

In this 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month special release episode, Just Science sat down with Erin House, Special Assistant Attorney General in Michigan; Richard Johnson, Kalamazoo SAKI Investigator; and Lindsey King, Kalamazoo Community-based Victim Advocate, to discuss their team-based approach for investigating sexual assault cold cases. While DNA can be a helpful tool for convicting sexual assault offenders, many sexual assault cold cases do not include DNA evidence. As a result, it is important for investigators and prosecutors to utilize a variety of methods to bring a sexual assault case to justice. Listen along as Erin, Rich, and Lindsey discuss how their team first approaches a cold case, examples of case success stories, and how a multidisciplinary approach ensures that survivors are always supported and heard. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences

Just Sexual Assault Response For Cases Without DNA Evidence

In this 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month special release episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Katherine Scafide, associate professor and sexual assault response researcher at George Mason University, to discuss how her team is developing methods to improve the visibility of bruises on black and brown skin tones following a sexual assault involving victims of color. During a sexual assault medical forensic exam, capturing injuries such as bruises can be crucial for helping bring a case to justice. To address the challenge of bruise visibility on victims with darker skin tones, researchers are developing methods and technological solutions that better detect and capture skin discoloration for certain cases as well as lead to improved outcomes and promote greater equity for victims of marginalized communities. Listen along as Dr. Scafide discusses how her clinical background informs her current sexual assault response research, the importance of consulting clinical practice guidelines before adopting a new technology, and how her work aims to address equity and inclusivity in sexual assault response. This episode is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Technology To Improve Sexual Assault Bruise Detection

In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Deputy Chief, recently promoted to Assistant Chief, Catherine Cummings of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Jennifer Cianelli, licensed mental health counselor at the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, to discuss the implementation of the Indianapolis co-response team program, which provides an alternative to traditional police responses. When a community member requires emergency services during a mental health or substance use crisis, they may benefit from a range of additional or alternative services in conjunction with a traditional law enforcement response. To understand the impact of these alternative responses, public safety and treatment practitioners in Indianapolis collaborated with researchers to pilot a co-response mobile crisis assistance team program, where a mental health clinician is partnered with a police officer for response to any behavioral health related emergency calls. Listen along as Assistant Chief Cummings and Ms. Cianelli describe how providing immediate mental health services and follow-up care can benefit community members while also providing support to police on-scene, helpful advice for practitioners who may want to implement co-response teams, and the importance of partnering with researchers to effectively evaluate these types of programs. This episode is funded in part by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area and the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team program supported by Arnold Ventures.  Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Implementing A Co-Response Program In Indianapolis

In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Dr. Evan Marie Lowder, Associate Professor at George Mason University, Dr. Eric Grommon, Applied Criminologist and Associate Professor at Indiana University Indianapolis, and Dr. Brad Ray, Senior Researcher at RTI International, to discuss their evaluation of the Indianapolis police and mental health co-response team program described in the previous episode. To evaluate the Indianapolis co-response program, a randomized controlled study of 911 calls for service was utilized to help ensure that any positive or negative outcomes were a direct result of the program rather than other factors. When conducted outside of a laboratory setting, this type of study requires extensive planning, coordination, and trust-building between researchers and practitioners. Listen along as Dr. Lowder, Dr. Grommon, and Dr. Ray describe the moving parts that facilitate real-world randomized controlled trials, the importance of directly comparing outcomes from co-response cases to outcomes from traditional policing cases, and the results from the Indianapolis co-response program evaluation. This episode is funded in part by RTI International’s Justice Practice Area and the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team program supported by Arnold Ventures. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Evaluating A Co-Response Program In Indianapolis

Just Science is a podcast for justice professionals and anyone interested in learning more about forensic science, innovative technology, current research, and actionable strategies to improve the criminal justice system.  This podcast deals with a range of issues, including human trafficking, firearms, policing, leadership in the crime lab, new technologies, sexual assault response, and broader challenges for science and public security. We cover various types of topics across RTI's Justice Practice Area. 

Some seasons of Just Science were developed by RTI International's Justice Practice Area through various funding sources. Please visit the individual episode to learn more about its funding.

Just Considerations For Older Survivors

Just Science

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