Sexual Violence Investigation the Focus of Expert Panel at DC Policy Forum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leading experts in criminal justice will explain how better cross-disciplinary cooperation and communication are at the heart of effective sexual violence investigations, which is the subject to be examined during a September 19 Policy and Practices Forum on Capitol Hill.

The forum, being sponsored in part by the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), an existing collaboration between the National Institute of Justice and RTI International, will take a look at the complex relationship between law enforcement, science, medicine and the judicial system in the investigation of sexual violence.

“Sexual violence has been a pressing concern for law enforcement for a long time,” said John Collins, forensic science policy and management advisor at RTI. “But more recently, we are learning how taking a more scientific and collaborative approach—and communicating more effectively across scientific, judicial and academic domains—improves how quickly and reliably these offenders can be brought to justice.”

Titled “Investigating Sexual Violence – Emerging Solutions and Best Practices,” the forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rayburn House Office, Building 2226.

Panel discussions will explore how innovative jurisdictional practices and scientific research can empower law enforcement officers in the apprehension and prosecution of sexual predators. The event will also be available via live webinar.

The panel includes Mark Nelson, senior program manager at the National Institute of Justice; Eileen Allen, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team program director in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office; James McGuane, captain with the Louisiana State Police Department; Brady Mills, president-elect for the American Society of Crime Lab Directors; Ted Robert Hunt, chief trial attorney for the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office, Kansas City, Mo.;  and Jeri Ropero-Miller, Ph.D., senior researcher at RTI International.

Kristina Rose, deputy director at the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, is the keynote speaker.

Collins will moderate the program.

To attend this event, please register here. To attend the webinar, please register here. More information on the event can be found here.