Just Science

In episode one of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month season, Just Science sat down with Jody West, the Forensic Science Manager for the Forensic Biology Section at the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory, and Dr. Patricia Melton, a Senior Research Forensic Social Scientist at RTI International, to discuss resources aimed to help forensic science service providers (FSSPs) increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of sexual assault kit testing. Among FSSPs, there is variability in how they approach testing sexual assault kits; some conduct serology testing of samples before moving to DNA testing, while others forego initial serology testing for a Direct-to-DNA approach. Because each processing workflow has distinct costs and benefits, the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) has developed a no-cost tool that helps FSSPs decide on, and advocate for, an approach that is efficient and feasible considering their available resources and needs. Listen along as Jody a