U.S. flag

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

Democrats have shut down the government. Department of Justice websites are not currently regularly updated. Please refer to the Department of Justice’s contingency plan for more information.

Violent crime

Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System

June 2010

Evidence backlogs have been known to be an issue in crime laboratories. A recent study published by NIJ has shown that backlogs of untested evidence are also an issue in law enforcement evidence storage. This panel will discuss the issues and present preliminary findings from a study of the Los Angeles Police Department's and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's experience with clearing out a large backlog of unanalyzed rape kits.

Transcript
Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System
Audio file
1 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Gerry LaPorte, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 3 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Kevin J. Strom, Senior Research Scientist, Crime, Violence, and Justice Research Program, RTI International , 4 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 5 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Dean M. Gialamas, Director, Scientific Services Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department , 6 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 7 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Jeffrey Nye, DNA Technical Leader, Forensic Science Division, Michigan State Police , 8 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles

Familial DNA Searching: Issues and Answers

June 2011

Familial DNA searching is the practice of creating new investigative leads in cases where DNA evidence found at the scene of a crime strongly resembles that of an existing DNA profile but is not an exact match. Panelists will explain how the technology works, provide examples of successful convictions obtained through familial searches, and discuss the various misconceptions and concerns regarding this practice.

Transcript
Familial DNA Searching: Issues and Answers
Audio file
Familial DNA Searching: Issues and Answers

Gang Membership Prevention

June 2010

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NIJ collaborated on a book that focuses on promising principles for gang membership prevention. This NIJ Conference Panel discusses the risk and protective factors that influence gang membership as well as efforts to reduce such factors. Panelists also explored the direction of gang research for the future.

Transcript
Gang Membership Prevention
Audio file
1 of 4: Gang Membership Prevention, Louis Tuthill, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Gang Membership Prevention, Gretchen C.F. Shappert, Project Safe Neighborhoods National Coordinator and Anti-Gang Coordinator, Executive Office for United States Attorneys, U.S. Department of Justice , 3 of 4: Gang Membership Prevention, James Buddy Howell, Senior Research Associate, National Youth Gang Center in Tallahassee, Fla.; and Special Advisor, Life History Research Program, University of Pittsburgh , 4 of 4: Gang Membership Prevention, Jorja Leap, Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Welfare, School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles

Discussing the Future of Justice-Involved Young Adults

September 2015

New science in brain development is transforming young adult involvement with the justice system. On Tuesday, September 8, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Assistant Attorney General Karol Mason, and experts from NIJ and the Harvard Kennedy School Program in Criminal Justice who serve on the Executive Session on Community Corrections discussed the future of justice-involved young adults.

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

How Research and Technology Are Expanding Sexual Assault Kit Testing

January 2016

NIJ Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences Director Gerald LaPorte and Deputy Director Heather Waltke, along with Heather LaSalle, Forensic Examiner, DNA Casework Unit, and Tina Delgado, Chief, Biometrics Division from the FBI Laboratory discuss how scientific advances can help jurisdictions process a large number of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Chicago Ceasefire

June 2009

CeaseFire is an evidence-based, data-driven intervention designed to stop shootings and killings in high-incidence neighborhoods by directly intervening with those who are most likely to be involved in a shooting and by building support for alternatives to violence in those neighborhoods. Panel members will share their experiences “on the ground” mediating conflicts and working one-on-one with high-risk individuals.

Transcript
Chicago Ceasefire
Audio file
1 of 5: Chicago Ceasefire, Candice M. Kane, Chief Operating Officer, Chicago Project for Violence Prevention , 2 of 5: Chicago Ceasefire, Frank Perez, Chicago Project for Violence Prevention , 3 of 5: Chicago Ceasefire, Charlie Ransford, Chicago Project for Violence Prevention , 4 of 5: Chicago Ceasefire, Field Violence Interrupters, Chicago Project for Violence Prevention , 5 of 5: Chicago Ceasefire, Question and Answer Session (mp3, 106 MB)

An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States

June 2010

Funded in part by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Pew Center on the States, the justice reinvestment project is a data-driven strategy aimed at policymakers to "reduce spending on corrections, increase public safety and improve conditions in the neighborhoods to which most people released from prison return." Representatives from two states where the justice reinvestment strategy is currently being implemented will discuss how it is being used to reduce the rate of incarceration and how states can reinvest in local communities.

Transcript
An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States
Audio file
1 of 5: An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States, Marie Garcia, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States, Jake Horowitz, Project Manager, Public Safety Performance Project, Pew Center on the States , 3 of 5: An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States, John Lazet, Chief of Staff, The Office of Senator Alan Cropsey, Lansing, Mich. , 4 of 5: An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States, Anne Rice, Associate Attorney General, New Hampshire Office of Attorney General , 5 of 5: An Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States, Marshall Clement, Project Director, Justice Center, The Council of State Governments

Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA

June 2010

Panelists will summarize the progress and results of sexual violence research since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The panel will also examine how research has contributed to policy, assess current knowledge gaps and discuss research needs.

Transcript
Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA
Audio file
1 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Karen J. Bachar, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 3 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Bonnie S. Fisher, Professor, Division of Criminal Justice and Research Fellow, Center for Criminal Justice Research, University of Cincinnati , 4 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 5 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect

June 2009

Panelists will present results from NIJ-funded studies on bruising and CT scanning and discuss the important role of forensic information and technology in effectively investigating violent crimes against the elderly.

Transcript
Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect
Audio file
1 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Carrie Mulford, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Aileen Wiglesworth, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of California, Irvine , 3 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Barry Daly, Professor of Radiology and Vice Chair for Research, Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , 4 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Cherie Hill, Detective, Anaheim Police Department , 5 of 5: Is It Old Age, Abuse or Homicide? Using Forensic Markers and Technology to Detect Elder Abuse and Neglect, Question and Answer Session

What Works in Probation and Parole

June 2009

How can we prevent reoffending and reduce costs? Research points to a number of solutions. At the Tuesday plenary, Judge Steven Alm from Hawaii will describe his successes with hard-core drug offenders. “Swift and sure” is his motto. West Virginia Cabinet Secretary James W. Spears will discuss the issues from his state's perspective, and Adam Gelb, Director of the Pew Charitable Trust's Public Safety Performance Project, will lend a national overview.

Transcript
What Works in Probation and Parole
Audio file
1 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Kristina Rose, Acting Director, and Thomas Feucht, Executive Senior Science Advisor, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Adam Gelb, Director, Public Safety Performance Project, Pew Center on the States , 3 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, James W. Spears, Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety , 4 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Honorable Steven S. Alm, Judge, First Circuit Court, Honolulu, Hawaii , 5 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Tom Williams, Associate Director, Court Services and Offender Supervision, Washington, D.C. , 6 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Pamela Lattimore, Principal Scientist, RTI International , 7 of 7: What Works in Probation and Parole, Question and Answer Session

Director's Message: Addressing Sexual Assault Response — Moving Forward and Finding Solutions

This symposium presents a truly unique opportunity for you to participate in an unprecedented event on an important issue facing our nation: sexual assault.

I am pleased to announce that on September 8-9, 2016, through our longstanding commitment to improving sexual assault response, NIJ is hosting Looking Ahead: The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium, and I invite all to attend. This event will bring...

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?
Audio file
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

Making Sense of the DNA Backlog - NIJ Conference Panel

June 2009

Panelists will present findings from two NIJ studies that examined the DNA backlog in law enforcement agencies and crime labs. Panelists will discuss research findings related to new and potential time- and cost-saving approaches.

Transcript
Making Sense of the DNA Backlog - NIJ Conference Panel
Audio file
1 of 5: Making Sense of the DNA Backlog, Mark Nelson, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Making Sense of the DNA Backlog, Kevin Lothridge, Chief Executive Officer, National Forensic Science Technology Center , 3 of 5: Making Sense of the DNA Backlog, Kevin J. Strom, Senior Research Scientist, Crime, Violence, and Justice Research Program, RTI International , 4 of 5: Making Sense of the DNA Backlog, Greg Matheson, Director, Los Angeles Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory , 5 of 5: Making Sense of the DNA Backlog, Question and Answer Session

Gun Violence

Law enforcement agencies implement a variety of strategies and methods to combat crime and ensure public safety. Policing strategies extend beyond traditional models of responding to calls for service and often seek to increase crime prevention, intervention, and response effectiveness through such techniques that focus on gun violence prevention and intervention. These strategies are aimed at reducing gun-related crimes and homicides in neighborhoods and communities. ...

Director's Message: Countering Violent Extremism with Research

At NIJ, we are dedicated to conducting and applying research in our efforts to find solutions to criminal justice problems. A great example of that dedication is exhibited in our robust research portfolio on domestic radicalization and countering violent extremism (CVE). NIJ has invested in almost two dozen research projects that aim to 1) understand how and why individuals radicalize to violence and 2) identify promising...

Director's Message: Identifying Alternatives to Exclusionary School Disciplinary Practices

"...it is imperative that we have effective ways of dealing with students’ behavior problems that do not disproportionately impact students of color."

NIJ is committed to investing in developing knowledge to improve the safety of schools. Schools across the U.S. are rightfully concerned about creating and maintaining a safe and stable environment that is conducive to student learning. Educators and policymakers have expressed concern that...

Director's Message: Making Progress on Understanding and Investigating Sexual Assault

While NIJ is proud of the progress we have made, we know there is still a great deal more to be done to improve sexual assault investigations, provide trauma-informed support to victims, and strengthen the efficiency of sexual assault kit testing.

–Nancy Rodriguez

Sexual assault is a traumatic crime with a wide range of impacts on both the victim and public safety. Over the last...

What Works in Offender Supervision

June 2009

This NIJ Conference Panel highlights findings from NIJ projects that evaluated strategies to enhance the supervision of offenders in the community. Researchers discuss the effectiveness of fair, swift and certain sanctions for high-risk probationers in the Hawaii HOPE program. Panelists also provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of electronic monitoring — including the use of GPS tracking — for medium- and high-risk offenders on supervision and upon completion of their supervision sentence.

Transcript
What Works in Offender Supervision
Audio file
1 of 4: Marlene Beckman, Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. , 2 of 4: Bill Bales, Associate Professor, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University , 3 of 4: The Honorable Steven S. Alm, Judge, First Circuit Court, Honolulu, Hawaii , 4 of 4: Angela Hawken, Assistant Professor of Economics and Policy Analysis, School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif.

Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions

May 2010

The management of sexual offenders in the community post-release is an issue of increasing concern to law enforcement, policymakers and the public. In recent years, efforts to strengthen registration and notification have been enhanced. At the same time, comparatively little attention has been paid to related matters, such as how residency restrictions may impact offenders' efforts to find stable work and living arrangements once they are released from prison, whether rates of recidivism have changed, and whether these policies increase the safety of potential victims.

Transcript
Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions
Audio file
1 of 4: Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions, Karen J. Bachar, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions, Elizabeth Letourneau, Assistant Professor, Medical University of South Carolina , 3 of 4: Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions, Kristen M. Zgoba, Research Scientist, New Jersey Department of Corrections , 4 of 4: Sex Offenders in the Community: Post-Release, Registration, Notification and Residency Restrictions, Alisa Klein, Public Policy Consultant, Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers

Violent Crime

In a violent crime, a victim is harmed by or threatened with violence. Violent crimes include rape and sexual assault, robbery, assault and murder.

NIJ supports research that strives to understand and reduce the occurrence and impact of violent crimes. This includes describing the scope of these crimes, such as how and when they occur and their consequences. NIJ also supports evaluations of existing programs...