NJIT Forensic Science Program Makes a Mark at National Conference
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) forensic science program made a strong showing at the 77th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Conference held recently in Baltimore. The conference, themed “Technology: A Tool for Transformation or Tyranny?”, provided a platform for NJIT faculty and students to unveil groundbreaking research and technological advancements in the field.
David Fisher, director of NJIT’s forensic science program, highlighted the program’s growth and research caliber, stating, “We had a very impressive showing from NJIT faculty and students at the conference.” The program received full accreditation from AAFS’s Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission last year. NJIT’s presentation included research on age estimation methods and a demonstration of CSIxR, a virtual reality (VR) application developed at NJIT.
CSIxR: Virtual Reality Training for Crime Scene Investigation
One of the key highlights was the debut of CSIxR, a VR application designed to simulate crime scene scenarios for training purposes. Developed by Fisher and Kevin Parmelee, a Senior University Lecturer in Forensic Science, the project was a collaborative effort with Assistant Professor of Informatics Margarita Vinnikov and Mike Kehoe, manager of emerging technologies at NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design.
CSIxR immerses students in detailed VR environments where they can practice critical procedures, such as photographing scenes, collecting fingerprints, and managing evidence. Parmelee, a former detective, emphasized the practical advantages of the app: “The advantage of CSIxR is ease of use. Physical crime scenes don’t have to be set up or restaged for each student, and students can make mistakes and start over with a click.”
Kehoe noted that CSIxR’s development served as a bridge across disciplines: “What is notable about CSIxR’s development is how it’s bridged expertise across disciplines at NJIT, leading to something really innovative.” Vinnikov added, “It was developed by NJIT students and faculty for NJIT students and faculty. Our preliminary usability data shows it has great promise as an effective augmentation experience for our forensic students, and we hope to develop it further.”
Undergrad forensic major Amber Luludis, who is using CSIxR, found the conference experience rewarding: “Attending the conference was incredible. With the CSIxR demonstration, we saw how even attendees unfamiliar with VR could quickly grasp the controls.”
Advancements in Forensic Research
Beyond the technological innovation, NJIT faculty presented research on a wide range of forensic topics.
Sara Zapico, assistant professor of forensic science, discussed advancements in forensic epigenetics, focusing on chemical changes to DNA that can reveal a subject’s age. Additionally, Maria Josefina Castagnola, a Ph.D. student and Fulbright scholar, presented research on DNA extraction, demonstrating how environmental factors and incubation time affect the simultaneous extraction of DNA, RNA, and protein from human teeth. This research aims to improve forensic scientists’ ability to gather more comprehensive genetic evidence.
Parmelee also presented on topics related to technological interventions to combat wrongful murder statements. His contributions underscored the significant impact of technology in forensic science, as he noted: “Technology in forensic science was the theme and the presenters from NJIT delivered.”
The conference saw the largest representation of NJIT faculty and students to date, contributing significantly to the advancement of forensic science knowledge and practice.
