U.S. flag

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

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

What’s Possible with Rapid DNA Technology?

August 2022

NIJ scientist Tracey Johnson joins science writer Sarah Michaud in this episode. They discuss Rapid DNA technology, and Tracey explains the complexities of this technology – its pitfalls and its possibilities.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

The Evidence We Leave Behind (Part 2)

June 2022
Gregory Dutton, a physical scientist at NIJ, and science writer Jim Dawson continue their conversation on the microbiome: what it is, how it applies to forensics, and the evolution of its role in forensic science.

NIJ Announces $1.3M to Fund Research in Public Forensic Laboratories

On January 11, 2022, NIJ announced $1.3 million in funding to support 5 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 funding of forensic science grants, NIJ, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, continues to improve the examination and interpretation of physical evidence across the...

NIJ Awards Over $14M to Support Forensic Science Research and Development

On December 17, 2022, NIJ, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, announced $14.4 million in funding to support 30 forensic science research and development projects in fiscal year 2021 under its Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes solicitation. Through its research and development (R&D) grant funding, NIJ continues to advance the speed, accuracy, and reliability of forensic analysis, which...