Criminal Justice Technology Testing and Evaluation Center

The Criminal Justice Technology Testing and Evaluation Center (CJTTEC)[1] uses research-based methodologies to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement, courts, and corrections agencies, and act as an honest broker for the nation’s criminal justice practitioners to provide objective and rigorous testing and evaluation of existing technologies, policies, and practices.

CJTTEC provides five key assets in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice:

• Technology Foraging: CJTTEC monitors trends and developments related to technologies, products, and practices in areas of interest to criminal justice. Its researchers use horizon scanning and market research techniques to identify, evaluate, and compare solutions for specific criminal justice needs. Learn more about technology foraging activities.
• Testing and Evaluation: CJTTEC conducts testing and evaluation activities to produce objective, performance-related information about the technologies and practices in use by criminal justice agencies. The evaluations include testing in laboratories and environments similar to the real world, comparative evaluations, evaluations in collaboration with practitioner agency deployments, and technology landscape assessments. Learn more about testing and evaluation activities.
• Research and Evaluation on Technology Implementation:  CJTTEC conducts experimental or quasi-experimental research and evaluation of technology implementation by criminal justice agencies.  These activities involve rigorous methods in the field and may involve the purchase of products for the purpose of conducting research and evaluation.  CJTTEC works with criminal justice agencies on the selection of technology, deployment plans, data collection, and analysis, employing evaluation methods to understand how implementation influences changes in policy and practice.   Learn more about technology implementation activities.
• Compliance Testing Program: CJTTEC administers the NIJ Compliance Testing Program. Administration activities include coordinating initial compliance testing; coordinating follow-up inspections with independent testing laboratories and quality assurance organizations; and making recommendations to NIJ regarding compliance of products submitted to the program. Learn more about the Compliance Testing Program.
• Equipment Standard: CJTTEC supports the development, validation, and maintenance of criminal justice equipment standards to ensure the safety and efficacy of technologies bought and employed by the criminal justice community. Learn more about equipment standards.

CJTTEC is funded under a cooperative agreements from NIJ[2] and is led by RTI International, which serves as the hub for operational oversight and technical capacity for the program. RTI scientists have experience in every aspect of technology and social science relevant to the criminal justice community. It has also partnered with other institutions which bring expertise across a diverse set of science and engineering disciplines. CJTTEC leverages its existing infrastructure and stakeholder networks to communicate results of its work using written reports, scientific and trade journals, a dedicated website (CJTTEC.org), conferences, technology and policy and practice workshops, and other outreach mechanisms. Together, the Center partners work with NIJ to implement technology, product, and practice advancements that continuously improve public safety.