Articles Published by NIJ

Village public safety officers, Alaska paraprofessional first-responders serving tribal communities, have significantly affected law enforcement’s response to reported cases of sexual abuse of minors, according to NIJ-supported research.

Strong social support is key in reversing the negative physical and mental effects of elder mistreatment, according to a recent NIJ-funded study.

Courts face a technological balancing act: How best to use devices that allow individuals to appear in court remotely while preserving the right to a fair trial. A panel of court professionals examined the issue and recommended relevant research needs.

Tip lines make possible confidential reporting of threats and problems and may benefit schools beset by safety and crime threats. More studies are needed on their effectiveness, but a new tip line toolkit instructs schools on how they work.

Cold case investigations have revealed that, in many cases, those responsible also are responsible for multiple crimes. Therefore, prioritizing cold case investigations can assist in both resolving crimes and preventing future ones.

An expert workshop on a hidden hub of crime on the internet identified priority investigative needs, including demystifying the “dark web”, training investigators to identify dark web evidence and activity, and building cross-jurisdictional partnerships.

Analyzing illicit drugs such as methamphetamine is difficult because the drugs break down when heated in gas chromatographs. Investigators determined that a new method can avoid the heat issue and improve results.