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NIJ FY 15 Research and Development for Publicly Funded Forensic Science Laboratories to Assess the Testing and Processing of Physical Evidence

Closing Date

NIJ seeks proposals for research, evaluation, and validation projects that will: (1) inform the forensic community of best practices through the evaluation of existing laboratory protocols, (2) result in the production of a validated method(s) that may be replicated by other laboratories in the forensic community, and (3) have a direct and immediate impact on laboratory efficiency and assist in making laboratory policy decisions. The...

NIJ FY 14 Research and Development for Publicly Funded Forensic Science Laboratories to Assess the Testing and Processing of Physical Evidence

Closing Date

NIJ seeks proposals for research, evaluation, and validation projects that will: (1) inform the forensic community of best practices through the evaluation of existing laboratory protocols, (2) result in the production of a validated method(s) that may be replicated by other laboratories in the forensic community, and (3) have a direct and immediate impact on laboratory efficiency and assist in making laboratory policy decisions. The...

NIJ FY 14 DNA Arrestee Collection Process Implementation Grants Program

Closing Date
NIJ seeks applications from eligible States with designated DNA database laboratories for funding to assist with the costs associated with the implementation of DNA arrestee collection processes, in keeping with the purposes of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-253), thereby helping to improve the capacity of laboratories that conduct DNA analysis of DNA database samples.

Notifying Sexual Assault Victims When Evidence Is Tested

April 2014

Interview with Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Watch Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz discuss what Houston is learning about the role of notifying sexual assault victims when their rape kits are DNA-tested. In talking about the nationwide implications of the Houston action-research project, Dr. Busch-Armendariz says that the nation is ready to move beyond a focus solely on kit-testing to the larger discussion of how to tackle the complicated issue of sexual assault.

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NIJ FY 14 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence to Exonerate the Innocent

Closing Date

​NIJ is seeking proposals for funds to help defray the costs associated with postconviction DNA testing in cases of violent felony offenses where actual innocence might be demonstrated. Specifically, funding may be used to review postconviction cases of violent felony offenses (as defined by State law), and to locate and analyze biological evidence samples associated with these cases. Where a strong justification is provided, a...

NIJ FY 14 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program

Closing Date

NIJ is seeking proposals for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell program), which awards grants to States and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. Among other things, funds may be used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel...