Enhancing the Capacity, Capabilities, and Validity of U.S. Forensic Laboratories

This agreement allows the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) to leverage federal resources and conduct advanced research, testing and evaluation efforts that provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet challenges of crime and criminal justice. This collaborative project supports NIJ's Forensic Science Research and Development program by utilizing the unique laboratory and personnel assets of DFSC, which provides forensic laboratory services to Department of Defense military criminal investigative organizations and other DoD customers. DFSC is a full service forensic laboratory, providing state-of-the-art forensic examinations in drug chemistry, trace evidence, serology/DNA, latent prints, forensic documents, digital evidence and firearms & toolmarks. DFSC provides forensic services to other federal departments and agencies, when appropriate. Through its Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) program, DFSC also coordinates the execution of research projects to develop and enhance forensic capabilities. This project will further the NIJ mission to enhance the capacity, capability and validity of U.S. forensic laboratories by: 1) advancing DNA mixture interpretation for forensic casework; 2) improving the analysis and interpretation of emerging drugs; and 3) advancing forensics through effective scientific collaborations.

In pursuit of these goals, the specific project tasks include:

• DNA mixture deconvolution training
• Assessment of DNA mixture interpretation in the forensic community
• Enhanced sharing of emerging drug spectral data through online databases
• Evaluation of solid-state gas chromatography-infrared spectrometer (GC-IR)
• Other projects of common interest