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Research and development

2022 NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium

September 2022

The National Institute of Justice has long hosted an annual Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium in which NIJ grantees present their research findings to promote the transition of research into practice. This inaugural NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium aimed to provide a similar platform for graduate students and early career scientists. The symposium presented an excellent opportunity for new researchers, including current and former NIJ Graduate Research Fellows, to present their work to a broad audience.

Forensic Anthropology, Pathology, Entomology, & Microbial Forensics; NIJ 2022 Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.
Presentations include -

Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence Research and Development: 2022 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.

Presentations include -

2022 NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. The 2024 symposium was was held March 1-2, 2022.

NIJ and its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence are committed to improving the practice of forensic science and strengthening its impact by supporting research and development, rigorous technology evaluation and...

2024 NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. 

NIJ and its Forensic Technology Center of Excellence are committed to improving the practice of forensic science and strengthening its impact by supporting research and development, rigorous technology evaluation and adoption, effective knowledge transfer and education, and comprehensive dissemination...

Impression, Pattern & Trace Evidence Research & Development: Presentations at the 2024 R&D Symposium

September 2024

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of five videos from the 2024 symposium, which was held September 19, 2024.

The Forensic Examination and Comparison of Plastic Garbage Bags

August 2024

Plastic bags are present in many criminal cases. Analyzing these bags in a forensic case can sometimes identify the manufacturer. More importantly, forensic comparison of bags from a known box or other known source can determine whether the bag could have originated from that source. This webinar discusses the manufacturing process, class and randomly acquired characteristics, examination techniques, and comparisons between questioned and known bags. The final segment includes a discussion of recent research in this area, followed by a question-and-answer period.

FBI Laboratory Decision Analysis Studies in Pattern Evidence Examinations

March 2024

This presentation explores a series of research studies aimed at assessing the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of forensic pattern evidence examination decisions across various disciplines, including latent prints, firearms, shoeprints, and handwriting.  Key topics covered include a comprehensive overview of the design factors in these four large-scale research studies, as well as a response to common critical observations regarding the experimental design and the interpretation of results.

Retrospective Study on DNA Analysis Findings from Sexual Assault Kits

January 2022

This presentation by Julie Valentine, Brigham Young University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

Idaho State Police Forensic Services Working with Researchers in Response to Sexual Assaults

January 2022

This presentation by Matthew Gametter, Idaho State Police Forensic Services, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

A Window of Opportunity: How SAK Testing Could Prevent Future Crimes

Content Advisory
Please be aware that this content contains descriptions of violence that may be distressing to some viewers.
January 2022

This presentation by Rebecca Campbell, Michigan State University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022. 

The Economic Arguments Surrounding Sexual Assault Kit Testing

January 2022

This presentation by Paul Speaker, West Virginia University, is one of 16 videos related to the Virtual Workshop: A Discussion on Research and a Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Assault, which was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 26-27, 2022.