In this episode of the Bluegrass Beat podcast, Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor Jim Root and University of Louisville Associate Professor Bradley Campbell discuss their work creating a victim-centered interview course, the techniques used, evidence-based research and how Kentucky is leading the way and going beyond just the facts to solving crimes.

About Our Guests

Jim Root, Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor

Jim Root is an instructor for the Department of Criminal Justice Training, teaching Investigations, Victim Interviews, and Forensic Genetic Genealogy consultation. Root currently provides case consultations and specific training on investigative techniques to various law enforcement agencies around the state. He has taught and written statewide programs on sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse investigations.

Previously, Root worked with the Office of the Attorney for two years, and at the Lexington Police Department from January 1996 till his retirement in February 2014. While employed at the Lexington Police Department, he spent 13 years in the Special Victim Section, which focused on crimes against children. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University as well as a Master of Justice Administration from the University of the Cumberlands. Mr. Root teaches criminal justice topics as an adjunct professor at Eastern Kentucky University.

Bradley Campbell, University of Louisville Associate Professor

Brad Campbell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and a Faculty member of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. His research focuses on police investigations, decision-making, training evaluation and response to victims. Campbell has been the lead researcher on two federally funded projects. He is currently the principal research partner on the Kentucky Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Action Research Project funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a study that examines the problem of unsubmitted sexual assault kits in Kentucky. Campbell’s recent research has been published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice, and Criminal Justice & Behavior. He has taught courses on Policing, Trauma Informed Policing, and Research Methods.

The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.

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Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.