Sign Up for Forensics@NIST 2014 Laboratory Tours

Forensics@NIST 2014 attendees may attend optional laboratory tours on the NIST campus, Dec. 3 and 4, 2014. Information about each tour is provided below. To sign up for a tour, please send email to Corrine Lloyd, corrine.lloyd [at] nist.gov (corrine[dot]lloyd[at]nist[dot]gov). Please specify which tour you want to join. Spaces are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Ballistics Range/Body Armor Test Center with Kirk Rice, NIST Materials Measurement Science Division. On this tour, visitors will witness a test of ballistic-resistant body armor and learn about related NIST research on materials used in body armor, as well as test methods, materials, and equipment involved in body armor testing. NIST research and its influence on national standards help to ensure the continued effectiveness of this protection technology.
• National X-Ray Standards for Bulk-Explosives Detection with Larry Hudson, NIST Radiation Physics Division. National x-ray standards are necessary to insure that security-screening systems for bulk-explosives detection both perform technically and handle radiation safely. NIST has facilitated the development of a comprehensive suite of national x-ray performance and radiation-safety standards that cover all transportation and commercial venues where explosives are screened: checkpoint, checked luggage, cargo, vehicle and whole-body imaging. This tour will highlight various test objects and will demonstrate x-ray screening for contraband beneath clothing.

3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

• Usability and Fingerprints: iPad for latent fingerprint examiners and the mobile platforms for FBI with Mary Frances Theofanos, NIST Office of Data and Informatics. The biometrics usability team is working to develop efficient, effective, and intuitive human-to-computer interfaces based on human-centered design that support mobile biometric acquisition and related metadata on handheld devices. For demonstration, there will be two devices. The first is a latent fingerprint handheld device that models a latent fingerprint examiner's workflow including minutia marking and search results comparison. The second is a handheld multi-modal biometric collection interface developed for the FBI. (also offered at 10:45 on Dec. 4)
• Robotic Intelligence Systems with Ann Virts, NIST Intelligent Systems Division. This tour will take place in the NIST Robot Test Facility. NIST is developing a comprehensive set of standard test methods and associated performance metrics to quantify key capabilities of emergency response robots. These test methods address responder-defined requirements for robot mobility, manipulation, sensors, energy, communications, operator proficiency, logistics, and safety for remotely operated ground, aerial (under 2kg), and aquatic systems.
• Interactive Exhibit Tour with Michael Newman, NIST Public Affairs Office. Experience through sight and sound the storied past, innovative present and exciting future of the nation's premier R&D institute.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014

10:45 to 11:45

• Usability and Fingerprints: iPad for latent fingerprint examiners and the mobile platforms for FBI with Mary Frances Theofanos, NIST Office of Data and Informatics. The biometrics usability team is working to develop efficient, effective, and intuitive human-to-computer interfaces based on human-centered design that support mobile biometric acquisition and related metadata on handheld devices. For demonstration, there will be two devices. The first is a latent fingerprint handheld device that models a latent fingerprint examiner's workflow including minutia marking and search results comparison. The second is a handheld multi-modal biometric collection interface developed for the FBI.
• NIST Research Reactor Tour with Dan Neumann, NIST Center for Neutron Research. The NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is a premier neutron research facility in the United States and is among the leading facilities in the world. At the NCNR, intense beams of subatomic particles (neutrons) are used to probe the nanoscale structure and properties of novel materials. Research at the NCNR has led to advances in systems of technological relevance such as magnetic storage media technology, improvements to hydrogen fuel cells, rechargeable batteries, advanced coatings, biopharmaceutical preservation and delivery, and biomaterials.
• Using the NIST SPHERE (Stimulated Photo Degradation by High Energy Radiant Exposure) to Mimic Environmental Exposure Found at Crime Scenes with Chris White, NIST Materials and Structural Systems Division. A mock homicide case, where the clothed body was subjected to environmental conditions, will be presented. Fibers, foreign to the clothing of the deceased were recovered. Fibers from the blanket suspected as being the origin of the collected fibers will be exposed using the SPHERE device, and the resulting information will provide a demonstration of NIST's rigorous control over environmental effects in a nominal amount of time.
• Interactive Exhibit Tour with Michael Newman, NIST Public Affairs Office. Experience through sight and sound the storied past, innovative present and exciting future of the nation's premier R&D institute.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• NIST Program for Trace Contraband Detection with Greg Gillen, NIST Materials Measurement Science Division. This tour will include a discussion of our ongoing research and a demonstration of some of the advance metrology tools being used to characterize contraband materials. We will highlight several forensic-related projects including age dating of fingerprints, combined chemical and biometric analysis and high throughput screening technologies for illicit narcotics. Finally, we will show some recent results related to development of new standard test materials for trace contraband detection using drop-on-demand ink jet printing.
• History of NIST with Kristen Frederick-Frost; NIST Museum Curator. From a 1799 meter bar to polystyrene spheres made in space, the NIST Museum displays artifacts and archival materials related to the research, creation, and dissemination of standards. The Information Services Office invites you to join the Museum Curator for a tour highlighting artifacts that typify challenges in measurement science which NIST has explored since its origins as the National Bureau of Standards in 1901.