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In 2004, the National Institute of Justice created the social science research on forensic sciences (SSRFS) research program to explore the impact of forensic sciences on the criminal justice system and the administration of justice. Much of the early research from the SSRFS program focused on DNA processing and the use of DNA in investigations and prosecutions.
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Every year, there are millions of interactions between the public and the criminal justice system. Most of those interactions result in a legitimate or just outcome. However, that is not always the case. In the relatively rare instances when the outcome is not legitimate or just, it can be devastating for individuals, families, communities, and criminal justice professionals.
As with any complex system of agencies...
Listen to James Doyle discuss the basics of a "sentinel event" review in the criminal justice system. This learning-from-error approach borrows from principles that medicine, aviation and other high-risk enterprises have successfully used. Former NIJ Fellow Doyle offers the basics to understand this innovative idea that takes a system-wide perspective of error, bringing all stakeholders together in a non-blaming, forward-looking way after a bad outcome, such as a wrongful conviction, occurs.
Reviews of 'sentinel events' can shift the emphasis away from blame and toward risk mitigation and continuous improvement.
NIJ learns from the people who work day-to-day with the issues. We sponsor meetings, workshops, and working groups that bring together researchers, policymakers, technologists, and practitioners.
These meetings generate a rich exchange of ideas. They guide future research and help ensure that NIJ's research, development and evaluation activities meet real-world needs.
Review the summaries or transcripts available for many of these meetings:
