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Forensic sciences

Impression Evidence: Strengthening the Disciplines of Pattern and Impression Sciences Through Research

June 2010

Forensic examinations involving specific forensic science disciplines are typically dependent upon qualitative analyses and expert interpretation of observed patterns based on a scientific foundation, rather than quantitative results. These disciplines include latent fingerprints, questioned documents, footwear, and other forms of impression and pattern evidence.

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Impression Evidence: Strengthening the Disciplines of Pattern and Impression Sciences Through Research
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1 of 3: Impression Evidence: Strengthening the Disciplines of Fingerprints, Firearms, Footwear, and Other Pattern and Impression Sciences Through Research, Gerry LaPorte, National Institute of Justice; Tom Busey, Indiana University, Bloomington , 2 of 3: Impression Evidence: Strengthening the Disciplines of Fingerprints, Firearms, Footwear, and Other Pattern and Impression Sciences Through Research, Lynn Abbott, Virginia Tech , 3 of 3: Impression Evidence: Strengthening the Disciplines of Fingerprints, Firearms, Footwear, and Other Pattern and Impression Sciences Through Research, Sargur Srihari, SUNY University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research

June 2010

Since 2008, DOJ has been reviewing its policies and programs on international organized crime, with the goal of strengthening law enforcement's response to this threat. In this NIJ Conference Panel, the speakers will explore how DOJ and other U.S. government agencies are responding to it. Attendees will learn more about the Attorney General's Organized Crime Council, the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center, and the recent National Intelligence Estimate on International Organized Crime.

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International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research
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1 of 4: International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research, John T. Picarelli, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research, Jennifer Shaksky Calvery, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, Director of the Attorney General's Organized Crime Council , 3 of 4: International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research, Lisa Holtyn, Senior Intelligence Adviser, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice , 4 of 4: International Organized Crime: Recent Developments in Policy and Research, John T. Picarelli, National Institute of Justice

How Research and Technology Are Expanding Sexual Assault Kit Testing

January 2016

NIJ Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences Director Gerald LaPorte and Deputy Director Heather Waltke, along with Heather LaSalle, Forensic Examiner, DNA Casework Unit, and Tina Delgado, Chief, Biometrics Division from the FBI Laboratory discuss how scientific advances can help jurisdictions process a large number of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

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Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA

June 2010

Panelists will summarize the progress and results of sexual violence research since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The panel will also examine how research has contributed to policy, assess current knowledge gaps and discuss research needs.

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Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA
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1 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Karen J. Bachar, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 3 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Bonnie S. Fisher, Professor, Division of Criminal Justice and Research Fellow, Center for Criminal Justice Research, University of Cincinnati , 4 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 5 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse

June 2010

This panel will feature NIJ-funded research that has direct, practical implications for the prosecution of elder abuse cases. Panelists will present findings from a study of prosecutors in three states that examined the factors that influenced their decisions to prosecute elder financial abuse cases. The panel will also provide the results from an evaluation of five innovative court-based models that target perpetrators of elder abuse.

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Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse
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1 of 4: Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse, Andy Mao, Senior Counsel for Health Care Fraud and Elder Justice, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice , 2 of 4: Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse, Shelly Jackson, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville , 3 of 4: Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse, Lori Stiegel, Senior Attorney, Commission on Law and Aging, American Bar Association , 4 of 4: Prosecuting Cases of Elder Abuse, Page Ulrey, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County Prosecutor's Office, Seattle, Wash.

Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse

June 2010

This NIJ Conference Panel will feature the latest research on forensic aspects of elder abuse detection and prosecution. Panelists will discuss results from a recently completed study that examined the characteristics of pressure sores on elders who received quality care, emphasizing how this research informs the field about the warning signs of potential neglect. Panelists will also present findings from a study on how well elderly individuals with mild or moderate dementia remember emotional events.

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Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse
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1 of 4: Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse, Carrie Mulford, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse, Aileen Wiglesworth, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine , 3 of 4: Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse, Solomon Liao, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Director of Geriatric Education, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine , 4 of 4: Forensic Aspects of Elder Abuse, Susan Chasson, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Salt Lake City; Family Nurse Practitioner, Merrill Gappmayer Family Medicine Clinic, Provo, Utah

Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect

June 2009

Panelists will present results from NIJ-funded studies on bruising and CT scanning and discuss the important role of forensic information and technology in effectively investigating violent crimes against the elderly.

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Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect
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1 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Carrie Mulford, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Aileen Wiglesworth, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of California, Irvine , 3 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Barry Daly, Professor of Radiology and Vice Chair for Research, Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , 4 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Cherie Hill, Detective, Anaheim Police Department , 5 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Question and Answer Session

Forensic Pathology

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 pathology.

Forensic Toxicology

Forensic toxicology is the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins, including drugs. The toxicology report can provide key information as to the type of substances present in an individual and if the amount of those substances is consistent with a therapeutic dosage or is above a harmful level. These results can be used to make inferences when determining a substance's potential effect...