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Un sitio oficial del Gobierno de Estados Unidos, Departamento de Justicia.

Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Description

Forensic science is the application of sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering to matters of law.  

NIJ’s forensic science research and development program focuses on basic and applied scientific research with the intent to:

  • Direct the findings of basic scientific research in broader scientific fields applicable to forensic science.
  • Apply forensic science research to the development of highly discriminating, accurate, reliable, cost-effective, rapid methods for the identification, analysis and interpretation of physical evidence.
  • Expand the scientific basis of forensic methods.
  • Produce useful materials, devices, systems or methods that have the potential for forensic application.
  • Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to forensic sciences.

Just Autopsy Results and Crime Scene Reconstruction

Noviembre 2022

In episode one of our Case Studies: Part 2 mini season, Just Science sat down with Kelly Ayers, an International Association for Identification Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, to discuss how preliminary autopsy results can help investigators piece together a story of what happened at a crime scene. For crime scene investigators, preliminary autopsy results issued by forensic pathologist and medical examiners can be used in conjunction with other disciplines, such as bloodstain pattern analysis, to provide pivotal information about a case.

Forensic Fractography of Bone A New Model for Skeletal Trauma Analysis

Noviembre 2022

Fractography is a tool for studying material failure. Analysis of cracks and fractures can reveal information about how, why, and where a fracture initiated and how a crack traveled, providing insight into the cause of failure. This webinar provides a basic introduction to forensic fractography of bone, which represents a new model for skeletal trauma that emphasizes understanding the cause of material failure rather than simply classifying fracture patterns.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 2, 2022.

Skeletal Sex Estimation and Practitioner Use of MorphoPASSE final

Octubre 2022

This presentation briefly discusses the current state of skeletal sex estimation in forensic anthropology. The primary focus of this presentation is on the MorphoPASSE: Morphological Pelvis and Skull Sex Estimation database and program for skeletal sex estimation. The presentation details the revised trait descriptions and scoring procedures, with examples, and demonstrates how to use the MorphoPASSE graphical user interface and interpret the output.

Just Using Forensic Art and Anthropology for Identification

Septiembre 2022

In episode four of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification Season, Just Science sat down with Katharine Pope, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, Dr. Bruce Anderson, a forensic anthropologist with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, and Joe Mullins, an instructor at the New York Academy of Art, to discuss human identification using forensic anthropology and facial approximations.

eDNA Detection of Lycomora delicatual Using Various Forensic Swabs via STR Analysis

Septiembre 2022

Welcome to our virtual poster session! The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The FTCoE is grateful for all the universities, faculty, and students who took the time to prepare poster presentations for submission to this year’s event. We recognize your hard work, and we are here to celebrate and learn from your research.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 22, 2020. 

DNA Integrity in Ionic Liquid with Indolizine Squaraine Dye

Septiembre 2022

Welcome to our virtual poster session! The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The FTCoE is grateful for all the universities, faculty, and students who took the time to prepare poster presentations for submission to this year’s event. We recognize your hard work, and we are here to celebrate and learn from your research.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 22, 2022.

Assessing the Enhancement of Blood Impressions from Fresh and Preserved Fetal Pig Skin Using Inter- and Intra-observer Validity

Septiembre 2022

Welcome to our virtual poster session! The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The FTCoE is grateful for all the universities, faculty, and students who took the time to prepare poster presentations for submission to this year’s event. We recognize your hard work, and we are here to celebrate and learn from your research.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 22, 2022.

Prevalence, Persistence, and Probabilistic Study of Inorganic and Organic Gunshot Residue in Shooter and Non-Shooter Populations

Septiembre 2022

Welcome to our virtual poster session! The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The FTCoE is grateful for all the universities, faculty, and students who took the time to prepare poster presentations for submission to this year’s event. We recognize your hard work, and we are here to celebrate and learn from your research.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 22, 2022.

Forensic Analysis of Automobile Paint Layers on Plastic Substrates Using Chemical uFTIR

Septiembre 2022

Welcome to our virtual poster session! The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) would like to highlight student research in the forensic sciences! The FTCoE is grateful for all the universities, faculty, and students who took the time to prepare poster presentations for submission to this year’s event. We recognize your hard work, and we are here to celebrate and learn from your research.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on September 22, 2022.

2022 NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium

Septiembre 2022

The National Institute of Justice has long hosted an annual Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium in which NIJ grantees present their research findings to promote the transition of research into practice. This inaugural NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium aimed to provide a similar platform for graduate students and early career scientists. The symposium presented an excellent opportunity for new researchers, including current and former NIJ Graduate Research Fellows, to present their work to a broad audience.

Research Forensic Library

We invite you to also search the Research Forensic Library, a curated collection of publicly-accessible material relating to every discipline of the forensic sciences.