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Common law

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.

The "Common Rule"

NIJ policy provides for the protection of the privacy and wellbeing of individuals who are participants in NIJ research studies under two different, but philosophically related, sets of regulations.

One of these policies covering the protection of human subjects used in research was adopted by 17 Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), in 1991. These policies are referred to as the "Common Rule"...