Following are articles published by the National Institute of Justice
Advancing Justice for the Missing and Unidentified Through Research
Summary of a plenary panel from the 2024 NIJ Research Conference
Safeguarding Forensic Science Professionals
The field is just beginning to acknowledge the unique need for a better scientific understanding of the impact of trauma exposure on forensic professionals.
Direct Comparison of Body Fluid Identification Technologies
Forensic investigators now have more information on the performance of identification technologies for biological fluids.
Postmortem CT Scans Supplement and Replace Full Autopsies
As medical examiner and coroner offices nationwide face a severe shortage of forensic pathologists, New Mexico has pioneered the use of CT scans to reduce autopsy numbers and reduce costs.
Drugs and Crime Research Projects
Detecting Fentanyl Use Through Court-Ordered Mandatory Drug Testing
Researchers develop a more accurate picture of fentanyl use prevalence among people under court-ordered mandatory drug testing.
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 characteristics.
What’s That Drug? Fast Screening of Seized Drugs
NIJ-funded scientists from West Virginia University develop quick, easy, and accurate drug tests.
Reducing Gun Violence Through Integrated Forensic Evidence Collection, Analysis, and Sharing
Multi-pronged approach of data integration, collaboration, and intelligence-led policing has helped reduce gun violence in New Jersey.
New Screening Method to Detect Drugs and Poisons Postmortem
The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office has developed a quick method to screen fluids for hundreds of drugs simultaneously, improving workflow.
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
Patents Generated by NIJ-Sponsored Projects
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.