Following are articles published by the National Institute of Justice
Drugs and Crime Research Projects
Child Trauma: Determining Accidental Injury From Intentional Abuse
NIJ has funded academic institutions and medical examiners’ offices to research the determination of intentional versus accidental trauma in infants and children.
Improving Sexual Assault Kit Outcomes
Researchers have identified connections between the development of a CODIS-eligible DNA profile and attributes associated with sexual assault victims and assault characteri
Detecting Drugs in Hair: Is It Drug Use or Environmental Contamination?
NIJ-funded researchers develop a new approach to address a long-standing problem in toxicology.
Drug-Impaired Driving: The Contribution of Emerging and Undertested Drugs
The Daunting Task of Strengthening Medical Examiner and Coroner Investigations Across Hundreds of Jurisdictions
After a five-year fact-finding mission, a multi-agency working group has identified a host of problems in the U.S. medical examiner/coroner system, but solutions remain elusive.
Determining the Age-At-Death of Infants, Children, and Teens
Researchers have developed a tool that uses dental remains to accurately determine the age-at-death of the young and very young.
Forensic Science Research and Development Technology Working Group: Operational Requirements
Is It an Accident or Abuse? Researchers Develop Predictive Models for Pediatric Head Injuries
NIJ-supported research has enabled biomechanical experts to improve predictive models of head injuries in children, helping physicians and law enforcement to better distinguish between accidental injury and abuse.
Advances in Detecting and Identifying Explosives After an Attack
Two NIJ-funded studies examine new ways to analyze trace evidence in the aftermath of an explosion or bombing.
New Forensic Methods to Accurately Determine THC in Seized Cannabis
NIJ-funded researchers address the need for simple, cost-effective ways to differentiate hemp from marijuana.
Police Crime Lab Accreditation Initiative
Improving Analysis of “Trace DNA” Evidence
Researchers try a new way to maximize DNA in low-yield situations and reduce costs.
The Impact of False or Misleading Forensic Evidence on Wrongful Convictions
Research has found key areas within forensic science that are associated with higher rates of wrongful convictions. Addressing them should strengthen trust in our criminal justice system.
OsteoID: A New Forensic Tool to Help Identify the Species of Skeletal Remains
NIJ-supported researchers developed a free web tool to help forensic investigators and others interested in bone identification.