NIST held a workshop in July 2016 to discuss databases used in trace evidence analysis. This event is a part of an effort at NIST to gather feedback from the practitioners and researchers in the forensic science community on further improving access and expanding the development of datasets useful for trace forensic evidence.
NIJ's Gerry LaPorte, Director of the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences, was among the featured speakers.
Background
In 2012, the Forensic Science Research Program, with sponsorship from the National Institute of Justice, conducted a survey of state and federal law enforcement agencies to develop a comprehensive list of databases, reference materials, and standard reference collections used by forensic scientists in laboratories at the state and local levels. The primary goal was to share information about existing data for forensic practitioners to share and use. The survey located in 228 state, federal, and commercially run databases.
Since then, NIST has been involved in several efforts to assist in expanding the availability of data and reference materials for various disciplines.