Deviance

The NIJ Journal presents research-based information that can help inform policy decisions and improve understanding of the criminal justice system.

Each issue of the NIJ Journal will now focus on a single theme, allowing the articles to dive into one specific topic from different scientific points of view. In this issue, our scientists have partnered to share some of the latest evidence and thinking about issues...

Fibers, hair, soil, wood, gunshot residue and pollen are only a few examples of trace evidence that may be transferred between people, objects or the environment during a crime. Investigators can potentially link a suspect and a victim to a mutual location through trace evidence.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to trace evidence.

Human remains are treated as a separate and unique type of forensic evidence. An autopsy of the remains is completed to determine the cause and manner of any death that is violent, unusual or untimely. A forensic pathologist will examine the human remains (post-mortem examination) and consider death scene findings. 

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to forensic...

Law enforcement agencies implement a variety of strategies and methods to combat crime and ensure public safety. Policing strategies extend beyond traditional models of responding to calls for service and often seek to increase crime prevention, intervention, and response effectiveness through such techniques that focus on gun violence prevention and intervention. These strategies are aimed at reducing gun-related crimes and homicides in neighborhoods and communities. ...

After someone is arrested, the judge or other judicial officer decides whether the defendant can be released until the trial or must be detained. Holding defendants until trial generates extra jail expenses and sequesters the defendants before they have been found guilty in court. The justice system, however, also needs to ensure that a released defendant will not endanger the public or run away before...

The National Institute of Justice sponsors research on alcohol and others drugs in the context of the criminal justice system to promote effective law enforcement, court and corrections responses to illegal drug markets and criminal behavior related to illicit drug use.

​On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to drug crimes.

The strength of our criminal justice system depends on its accuracy — its ability to convict the guilty and to clear the innocent. But we know that wrongful convictions happen. Identifying and understanding the causes of wrongful convictions is critical to maintaining the integrity of our justice system.

A conviction may be classified as wrongful for two reasons:

1. The person convicted is factually innocent...

Contraband in correctional facilities includes illegal items, such as drugs and weapons, or items prohibited in the area being monitored, such as cell phones. Prison staff needs to be able to detect and confiscate contraband quickly to prevent drug abuse, violence and the commission of further crimes.

Drugs and weapons pose a particular risk in prison environments, where there is a high potential for violence...

Law enforcement investigations close cases and can prevent new crimes from occurring. Training in research-based investigative procedures and access to tools and resources can help law enforcement officers carry out successful investigations.

NIJ research enhances the forensic aspects of investigations and supports the creation and maintenance of investigative resources, such as manuals, databases and training courses.

NIJ has funded research in several areas relevant to...

Domestic violence cases involving spouses and other intimate partners often entail complex processes that require careful consideration by the criminal justice system. In the 1990s, many jurisdictions began to create specialized domestic violence courts for judges to ensure follow-through on cases, aid domestic violence victims, and hold those who commit the crimes accountable, with the assistance of justice and social service agencies.

By specializing in domestic...

Drug courts are specialized court docket programs that target criminal defendants, juveniles who have been convicted of a drug offense, and parents with pending child welfare cases who have alcohol and other drug dependency problems.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to drug courts.

Law enforcement officers face many different dangerous and stressful situations in the line of duty. Some, such as gun violence, are obvious; others dangers (e.g., fatigue) are hidden, but common, and can greatly hinder officer performance. Officer performance is also affected by training and other factors.

NIJ supports work to study and improve officer performance and safety on several fronts. For decades, NIJ has been on...

Because of the varied nature of crime, police operations must be diverse and flexible. Police must be able to react to situations that range from a threat of explosives to a fleeing suspect. During these operations, officers need tools and training to be as effective and as safe as possible.

NIJ supports research and development on new technologies that will aid police operations, whether by...

Sex-related offenses are any crimes that have a sexual component. They may involve actual or threatened physical harm (e.g., sexual assault) or mental or emotional harm to a victim (e.g., child pornography).

NIJ supports projects that strive to understand and reduce the occurrence and impact of sex-related offenses. This includes describing the scope of these crimes, such as how and when they occur and their...

In a violent crime, a victim is harmed by or threatened with violence. Violent crimes include rape and sexual assault, robbery, assault and murder.

NIJ supports research that strives to understand and reduce the occurrence and impact of violent crimes. This includes describing the scope of these crimes, such as how and when they occur and their consequences. NIJ also supports evaluations of existing programs...

The NIJ Journal, published several times a year, features articles to help criminal justice policymakers and practitioners stay informed about new developments. The NIJ Journal presents research-based information that can help inform policy decisions and improve understanding of the criminal justice system.

Each issue of the NIJ Journal will now focus on a single theme, allowing the articles to dive into one specific topic from...