Coffee With a Criminalist Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division

Cheers to a great first season of Coffee with a Criminalist! As we have discussed not all our calls for service are criminal in nature, we will assist with mass casualty scenarios and suspicious circumstances as well. This week we look at how we aided in the investigation of the 2011 Reno Air Races crash.
 
This week we are fueled by Blush and Bone, a local business that is all things radical self-care. From non-toxic mani/pedis, reiki and massage, to rad apoptogenic elixirs - this place has a little something for everyone! you can find them here!
 
Be on the look out this fall for some Season 2 teasers and when to expect us back full time!

This is our last mini episode and next week is our season finale. We hope you enjoyed the season and possibly learned a thing or two, we know we did! Catch some of our bloopers in this week’s mini episode and don’t forget to enter our giveaway for your chance to win a tour of the crime lab, time is running out! Thanks for joining us this season and we look forward to having a cup of coffee with you in season two!

This week we look at how several cold cases from 1976 helped allow for the retroactive DNA collection of offenders in our state. We explain the important role innocence projects play in exonerations, and why some cold cases never get a hit in CODIS. Additionally, we finish up our chat with Steve Gresko, so grab that cup of coffee and settle in!
This episode is fueled by Reno Coffee Company. A local pour over café with a trendy atmosphere, great service, and hip drinks! You can find them on Wells Ave!
Here is the referenced link to the 564 bills passed this legislative session!

In this week’s episode we discuss the 2008 murder of college student Brianna Denison, how YSTR analysis played an import role in connecting this case to several others, and the impact it had on Nevada arrestee laws.
This week we are fueled by @rainshadowcoffeesierra. A newer roastery in south Reno that originated in Washington but is owned by a local husband and wife duo! We enjoyed our coffee from our favorite @withlovefromreno.co mugs.
 

This week on the podcast we feature Part I of the CODIS series. In this episode we discuss what the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is and we look at our lab’s first ever CODIS hit in our review of the 1977 abduction and murder of Lisa Marie Bonham. Be sure to tune in the next two weeks for Parts II and III of the series where we highlight three other major cases and how state specific CODIS laws help solve crime in our area.

Consuming alcohol is a popular activity, especially here in the Biggest Little City. Alcohol can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Driving under the influence is a serious risk to both the driver and others on the road. Please remember to always have a sober ride ready. With ride share apps and smart phones it's never been easier to ensure the safety of your self and those around you. This episode isn't fuel by a local coffee shop. Instead, we opted to share with you our favorite alcoholic beverage and where in town we like to kick back and drink responsibly. Most are familiar with road side breath testing, but many are unaware of what happens after the initial stop, and how forensics plays a role. In this episode we walk you through the process of a traffic stop, explain how alcohol impairs your  ability to operate a vehicle, and how our breath alcohol section works to keep evidentiary breath testing equipment up and running for Northern Nevada. Additionally, we look at how COVID-19 precautions greatly impacted our state's breath testing program and how our lab over came this hurdle.