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Standards

How Collaboration Between Researchers and Police Chiefs Can Improve the Quality of Sexual Assault Investigations: A Look at Los Angeles

June 2011

Panelists discuss the application of research findings from an NIJ-sponsored study of sexual assault attrition to police practice in Los Angeles. There are three main focal points: (1) the mutual benefits of researcher/practitioner partnerships, (2) the implications of variation in police interpretation of UCR guidelines specific to clearing sexual assault (with an emphasis on cases involving nonstrangers), and (3) the content of specialized training that must be required for patrol officers and detectives who respond to and investigate sex crimes.

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From the Academy to Retirement: A Journey Through the Policing Lifecycle

December 2009
Series
Research for the Real World

Professor Rosenbaum and a panel of colleagues discuss a study to demonstrate the feasibility of creating a foundation from which to launch studies about multiple aspects of policing using standardized definitions and measurement tools. Their goal is to advance knowledge about policing and translate data into evidence-based best practices that improve training, supervision and accountability systems. The effort is expected to produce a better understanding of what motivates police officers and makes them healthier, happier and more effective.

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Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later

June 2009

Technological advances have made it possible to detect male DNA in evidentiary samples collected several days after a sexual act has taken place. Panelists will present the research that has led to these findings, followed by a discussion of the potential impact of this work from the perspectives of the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) and the crime laboratory communities.

Transcript
Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later
Audio file
1 of 4: Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later, Lois Tully, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later, Jack Ballantyne, National Center for Forensic Science , 3 of 4: Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later, Patricia M. Speck, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , 4 of 4: Sexual Assault: Obtaining DNA From Evidence Collected up to a Week Later, Mechthild Prinz, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, New York, N.Y.

Strengthening Forensic Science at Its Foundations to Improve Public Safety

With National Forensic Science Week beginning on August 9, I can’t think of a better time to highlight the importance of NIJ’s investment in forensic science research and how that...

Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders

June 2009

The panel presentations from the 2009 NIJ Conference are based on an NIJ-sponsored evaluation of the effectiveness of Kansas Senate Bill 123, which mandates community-based drug abuse treatment for drug possession by nonviolent offenders in lieu of prison. 

Transcript
Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders
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1 of 5: Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders, Linda Truitt, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders, Roger Werholtz, Secretary of Corrections, Kansas Department of Corrections , 3 of 5: Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders, Don Stemen, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Loyola University Chicago , 4 of 5: Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders, Andres F. Rengifo, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Missouri-St. Louis , 5 of 5: Alternative Sentencing Policies for Drug Offenders, Question and Answer Session

Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process

June 2010

NIJ has established a new standards development process based on Special Technical Committees whose members include practitioners, scientists, researchers, subject matter experts, staff of test laboratories and major criminal justice stakeholder organizations, and representatives knowledgeable in standards development and conformity assessment. The members collaborate to develop the standard and ensure that practitioner needs are addressed.

Transcript
Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process
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1 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, Debra Stoe, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, Gordon Gillerman, National Institute of Standards and Technology , 3 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, Philip Mattson, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Homeland Security , 4 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, William Haskell, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 5 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, Robert Vondrasek, Vice President, National Fire Protection Association , 6 of 6: Special Technical Committees: How They Are Changing NIJ's Standards Development Process, David McBath, InterAgency Board Chair, New York State Police

Custody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases

June 2009

Panelists will examine practices, beliefs and recommendations of professional and custody evaluators in domestic violence cases. Panelists will discuss current NIJ studies that use both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the impact of personal attitudes and beliefs on custody evaluation.

Transcript
Custody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases
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1 of 3: Custody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases, Daniel G. Saunders, Professor, School of Social Work, University of Michigan , 2 of 3: Custody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases, The Honorable Dale R. Koch, Senior Judge, State of Oregon , 3 of 3: Custody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases, Chris S. O'Sullivan, Research Consultant, New York Legal Assistance Group

Director's Message: Equipment Guidance From NIJ and Our Expanding Standards Program

In our personal lives, most of us do some research before we buy a new tool or piece of equipment. We want to make sure that what we buy works as it is supposed to and that we get our money’s worth. When criminal justice agencies purchase equipment, the stakes are higher. Equipment is costly, budgets are tight, and most importantly the lives of officers...

What Is Research and Evaluation Evidence and How Can We Use It?

June 2010

This NIJ Conference Panel will explore the development and use of evidence-based policies, programs and technologies to improve effectiveness and efficiencies related to government. Through casual observation, practices and programs may appear to be effective, but under closer scrutiny the results may look much different.

Transcript
What Is Research and Evaluation Evidence and How Can We Use It?
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Phelan Wyrick, Senior Social Science Analyst, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice , Stephanie Shipman, Assistant Director, Center for Evaluation Methods and Issues, Applied Research and Methods, U.S. Government Accountability Office , Ed McGarrell, Director and Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University , Phelan Wyrick — Part II