The Importance of Inclusive Research
At NIJ’s 2023 National Research Conference, NIJ hosted a plenary that outlined Director La Vigne’s vision for inclusive research and described how engaging with those closest to the issue makes for better science and greater impact.
Using Science to Enhance Equity
At NIJ’s 2023 National Research Conference, our final plenary discussion invited researcher, practitioner, and victim advocate perspectives to highlight ways that science could support victims of violence and enhance equity in interactions with the criminal justice system.
Early Warning System for Emerging Drugs
The opioid crisis created a whole new class of drugs and users, along with a dramatic increase in overdose deaths. One NIJ-supported program is showing promise for nationwide efforts to lessen the harm of this crisis—NPS Discovery. Its team of scientists work to analyze, identify, and share data on recreational drugs as they appear across the U.S, and ultimately offer advanced warning of potentially deadly outbreaks.
Term of the Month - Trace DNA
Trace DNA, also known as “low copy number DNA” or “touch DNA,” refers to small amounts of DNA that may originate from shed skin cells from an individual’s hand, or cells from other fluids or body parts on an individual’s hand that are left on objects as evidence.
Criminal Justice Data Archives
The National Archive of Criminal Justice Data archives data on crime and justice and contains data from over 2,700 curated studies or statistical data series. The website is home to several large-scale datasets, including the National Crime Victimization Survey, FBI's Uniform Crime Reports and National Incident-Based Reporting System, and the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods.
List of Compliant Ballistic Resistant Body Armor
NIJ certifies torso-worn ballistic resistant body armor for law enforcement that complies with the requirements our Compliance Testing Program. If you’re in the law enforcement profession, review a newly updated list of all compliant armor, searching by manufacturing company, gender, threat levels, and other factors.
Listen, Learn, Inform - About NIJ
Review the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy
Find funding opportunities
Read the latest
Register for events
Browse all topics
CrimeSolutions Program and Practice Ratings
Denver (Colorado) Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative (Denver SIB)
This is a program for homeless individuals who are often in jail, to increase their housing stability and reduce their criminal justice involvement.
California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA)
This is a training and production program for incarcerated individuals, with the overall goal of reducing recidivism.
Live Court Date Reminder Phone Calls (New York City)
This program provides calls to individuals who have been arrested and released while they wait to appear for arraignment, to remind them to appear on their scheduled court dates.
The First Step Act
The First Step Act of 2018 aims to reform the federal prison system and reduce recidivism. NIJ is working to assess and develop an existing risk and needs assessment system for incarcerated individuals, and develop recommendations regarding effective evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and activities.