URI's Forensic Science Partnership lecture series is one of the more unique lecture series in Rhode Island. The Oct. 3 topic is "Defending the dumb,” Virginia Maxwell, University of New Haven. Maxwell is an expert in investigating animal cruelty with a focus on physical evidence and farm animal welfare. She uses crime data to predict hot spots for crimes against animals, in areas such as dog fighting, the meatpacking industry, industrialized agriculture, and horse racing. All lectures are open to the public at no cost and are held on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. in the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences (Room 100), 140 Flagg Rd., Kingston. Schedule subject to change; join email list for updates. Those who cannot attend in person may view the lectures live online. Details: https://www.uri.edu/news/2025/09/crime-fridays-return-to-uri/