U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

American Academy Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

NIJ Announces $1.9M to Fund Research in Public Forensic Laboratories in 2023

On September 26, 2023, NIJ announced $1.9 million in funding to support five new projects under its Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories (Public Labs R&E) program. Through its forensic science research funding, NIJ continues to improve the examination and interpretation of physical evidence across the community of practice through identification of the most efficient...

Director La Vigne Discusses Forensic Research and Development at NIJ

February 2023

NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne, Ph.D., was interviewed by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. 

Utilizing the "listen, learn, and inform" model is what Nancy La Vigne, the new Director at the National Institute of Justice says will be key in implementing the Forensic Science Strategic Plan. AAFS-TV sits down with La Vigne, fresh in her new role, to discuss how she plans to help researchers and scientists achieve their goals.

Expanding Research to Examine the Impacts of Forensic Science on the Criminal Justice System

December 2020

In 2004, the National Institute of Justice created the social science research on forensic sciences (SSRFS) research program to explore the impact of forensic sciences on the criminal justice system and the administration of justice. Much of the early research from the SSRFS program focused on DNA processing and the use of DNA in investigations and prosecutions.