U.S. flag

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

Forensic sciences

Thinking Strategically about Developments in Law Enforcement Technology

Dear friends and colleagues:

It is truly wonderful to come back home and to see so many friends and colleagues here. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work in the criminal justice system of New York City – I learned invaluable lessons about crime, justice and communities and made friendships that have lasted throughout my entire career.

It is particularly gratifying...

Speech to the New York University Alumni Association "Crime Statistics -- Good News or Bad News?"

Thank you.

I would like to talk to you about youth violence. Youth violence is one of those issues that generates overheated debate. Some commentators warn that we are facing a "bloodbath" as the next birth cohort enters the crime-prone years. Some describe a generation of remorseless "superpredators" unlike any young criminals we have seen before. On the other end of the spectrum, commentators of...

Speech to the National Association of State Forensic Mental Health Directors

The Mentally Ill Offender: Viewing Crime
and Justice Through a Different Lens

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for the kind invitation to address this conference of the National Association of State Mental Health Forensic Directors. Several months ago, I readily accepted Judy Cox's invitation to speak to you. At the time, it seemed like a pretty straightforward proposition -- I enjoy opportunities to speak with people who...

Stalking: Lessons from Recent Research

Good morning:

I am very pleased to be here and am grateful for the opportunity to address this important meeting, the Fourth Annual Conference of the National Center on Women and Policing. I recall speaking at your first conference in Washington and am delighted to be with you again today and to see the growth in your membership.

The policing profession is experiencing profound changes...

DNA Initiative

Chairman Biden, Senator Grassley, Members of the Subcommittee, as Director of the Justice Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), it is my pleasure to testify before you on behalf of the Department. NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation arm of the Justice Department. We appreciate today’s opportunity to discuss the Justice Department’s efforts to promote the use of DNA analysis to solve crimes.

With...

Welcoming Remarks at the Third Annual National Conference on the Future of DNA

Good morning:

I very pleased to join you this morning to kick off the Third Annual National Conference on the Future of DNA. It is great to see so many people who have been part of the larger national effort to bring the powerful technology of DNA science to serve the interests of justice — and I am very proud of the role that my...

Justice Research as a Platform for the Diffusion of Innovation

I am very honored that you invited me to address your conference this morning. I have developed a very high regard for NASADAD, and for the work that you do throughout the country. You represent, in my view, a critical perspective on the issues that concern us at the National Institute of Justice -- the issues of crime and the administration of justice -- and...

Technology in Criminal Justice: Creating the tools for transformation

Good morning:

I am very pleased to be with you this morning to discuss the challenges of technology that are facing the criminal justice system. Your invitation to speak with you has provided me and my colleagues at the National Institute of Justice a welcome opportunity to step back from our day-to-day activities at NIJ to reflect on the role of technology as a transforming...