KINGSTON, R.I. — September 18, 2006 – ABC News reporter Richard Esposito will discuss media interactions with emergency workers as part of this fall’s Forensic Science Seminar Series at the University of Rhode Island. The seminars, held Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Pastore Hall, Room 124, are free and open to the public. Esposito’s lecture is Friday, Sept. 22.
Esposito’s talk is entitled “When disaster strikes – natural or manmade.” It will chronicle how law enforcement, counter terrorism officials, and/ or first responders manage their initial interaction with the media, and how it can be a major factor in determining whether the government succeeded or failed in its task. Focusing on the crime scene perimeter, outward to off site briefings, and the site of the evidence, the seminar will examine how to incorporate the media into the management of an emergency and shape perception, offset terrorist propaganda, and ensure balanced reporting of the event.
Through his work Esposito has reported on issues such as homeland security, national security, and criminal justice. He is the winner of the 2005 George Polk Award for Television Journalism, is a recipient of the Silurian and Deadline Club Awards, two Associated Press Awards, and he shares a Pulitzer Prize.
The remaining schedule of speakers and their topics are as follows:
Sept. 29, Mark Tobias, attorney, Investigative Law Offices of South Dakota, “Polygraph and Lock Bumping.”
Oct. 6, Jeff Norwitz, professor of national security decision making, Newport Naval War College, “Terrorism: Is this the 3rd World War?”
Oct. 13, Dawn Sorenson, division chief of Forensic Sciences, National Criminal Investigative Service, topic to be announced.
Oct. 20, Matt Zarrella, officer with the K-9 Division, Rhode Island State Police, “Training Search Dogs.”
Oct. 27, Anthony Amore, head of security, Gardner Museum, Boston, Mass. “Art Heist at I.S. Gardner Museum.”
Nov. 3, Yossi Almog, professor of the Hebrew University’s Casali Institute for Applied Chemistry and former brigadier general of the Israeli police department, “Tracking the Suicide Bomber.”
Nov. 10, Mort Moore, president of Causation Analysis, “Alcohol & Pedestrian/ Vehicular Accidents.”
Nov. 17, Barry Fisher, director, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, “Forensic Analyses.”
Dec. 1, John DeHann, editor, Kirk’s Fire Investigations, “Forensics of Fire Investigations.”
Dec. 8, Michael Peat, editor, Journal of Forensic Science, “Forensic Toxicology.”