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Law enforcement

DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

With this program, BJA assists states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories to increase the capacity of public forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories to process more DNA samples for the FBI's Combined DNA Index System.

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program

This program helps address the extreme shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists in the United States and provides medical examiner and coroner offices with the resources to become accredited and maintain that accreditation.

Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA

This program assists law enforcement and prosecutors to address and prosecute violent crime cold cases and decrease the number of violent crime cold cases awaiting prosecution.

New Research on Body-Worn Cameras

May 2015
Series
Body-Worn Camera Videos

This video captures the presentations of several speakers. Jennifer Wood, Associate Professor at Temple University, presents key findings from a pilot evaluation of the Philadelphia Police Department's use of body-worn cameras (BWC) in one of the districts. During his presentation, Michael White, Professor at Arizona State University, focuses on available BWC resources and research. And, Daniel Lawrence from the Urban Institute spoke about the Institute's evaluation of BWC.

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Episode 67: BWC Spotlight on Communication Tactics for LE

July 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell, part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Body Worn Camera Team, interviews the technical advisor for the Office of Justice Programs' Laura McElroy to discuss Body Worn Cameras and the communication strategies around BWCs. The podcast examines Laura's experiences and recommendations for communication policy considerations. We further discuss strategic communication strategies to create and control the narrative for high profile situations.
Transcript
Episode 67: BWC Spotlight on Communication Tactics for LE
Audio file
Episode 67: BWC Spotlight on Communication Tactics for LE

Episode 66: BWC Spotlight on a Wisconsin Sheriff's Office

June 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell, part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Body Worn Camera Team, interviews Lieutenant Brian Loos, a Patrol Lieutenant for the Dodge County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin to discuss Body Worn Cameras and implementing them in his local department. The podcast examines the implementation process including challenges, what factors they considered when selecting the technology, BWC policy formation regarding evidence, and more.
Transcript
Episode 66: BWC Spotlight on a Wisconsin Sheriff's Office
Audio file
Episode 66: BWC Spotlight on a Wisconsin Sheriff's Office

Episode 63: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 2

March 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews University of South Carolina’s Assistant Professor Seth Stoughton to discuss the potential benefits of Body Worn Cameras. Stoughton discusses his three categories were the benefits fall into including a signaling benefit, a behavioral benefit, and an evidentiary or documentation benefit. We further discuss how these effect policy, evidence considerations, effects on officer and prosecution and more.
Transcript
Episode 63: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 2
Audio file
Episode 63: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 2

Episode 62: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 1

February 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews University of South Carolina’s Assistant Professor Seth Stoughton to discuss the potential benefits of Body Worn Cameras. Stoughton discusses his three categories were the benefits fall into including a signaling benefit, a behavioral benefit, and an evidentiary or documentation benefit. We further discuss how these effect policy, evidence considerations, effects on officer and prosecution and more.
Transcript
Episode 62: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 1
Audio file
Episode 62: Interpreting BWC Video Footage – Part 1

Episode 61: Midwestern Spotlight – Wichita Police Department

February 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews Wichita Police Department’s Brian White to discuss the challenges and lessons learned from their implementation process regarding Body Worn Cameras. White discusses policy challenges, vendor considerations, storage considerations and more.
Transcript
Episode 61: Midwestern Spotlight – Wichita Police Department
Audio file
Episode 61: Midwestern Spotlight – Wichita Police Department

Episode 60: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 2)

January 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews George Mason University’s Dr. Cynthia Lum to discuss the Center of Evidence Based Policing’s recent papers on prosecutors perceptions of BWCS and a research based examination of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing recommendations. Dr. Lum talks about research based recommendations, areas for more research and recommendations on implementing BWCs.
Transcript
Episode 60: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 2)
Audio file
Episode 60: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 2)

Episode 59: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 1)

January 2017
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews George Mason University’s Dr. Cynthia Lum to discuss the Center of Evidence Based Policing’s recent papers on prosecutors perceptions of BWCS and a research based examination of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing recommendations. Dr. Lum talks about research based recommendations, areas for more research and recommendations on implementing BWCs.
Transcript
Episode 59: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 1)
Audio file
Episode 59: Research Spotlight – GMU’s Center of Evidence Based Policing (Part 1)

Episode 58: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 3 of 3)

December 2016
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Commander Ralph Ennis, Derek Meeks and research fellow Anita Ravishshankar to discuss process of implementing a BWC program in the nation’s capital and the challenges that presented. The group will also discuss lessons learned regarding policy creation and community outreach along with its research efforts. Finally the group gives some advice on large agency considerations.
Transcript
Episode 58: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 3 of 3)
Audio file
Episode 58: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 3 of 3)

Episode 57: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 2 of 3)

December 2016
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Team, interviews Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Commander Ralph Ennis, Derek Meeks, and research fellow Anita Ravishshankar to discuss process of implementing a BWC program in the nation’s capital, the challenges it presented, and lessons learned.
Transcript
Episode 57: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 2 of 3)
Audio file
Episode 57: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 2 of 3)

Episode 56: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 1 of 3)

December 2016
Series
Body-Worn Cameras
Todd Maxwell with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Body Worn Camera Team, interviews Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Commander Ralph Ennis, Derek Meeks and research fellow Anita Ravishshankar to discuss process of implementing a BWC program in the nation’s capital and the challenges that presented. The group will also discuss lessons learned regarding policy creation and community outreach along with its research efforts. Finally the group gives some advice on large agency considerations.
Transcript
Episode 56: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 1 of 3)
Audio file
Episode 56: Nation’s Capital Spotlight – Washington Metro PD, DC (Part 1 of 3)