NIJ’s Forensic Science Research and Development Portfolio supports foundational and applied research, as well as tool and method development, to improve forensic testing, increase lab efficiency, support technology transition, and strengthen the overall quality and reliability of forensic science.[1]
NIJ’s Forensic Science Research and Development Portfolio addresses the pressing and evolving needs of forensic science practitioners to investigate crime and analyze evidence in support of the criminal justice system. Forensic science practitioners must maintain the highest professional and legal standards when analyzing evidence, managing growing caseloads and operating with limited resources. Crime laboratories across the United States continue to face significant backlogs due to high demand, insufficient budgets, workforce challenges, and difficulties adopting innovative methods and new technologies while maintaining quality.[2] This portfolio addresses these challenges by supporting foundational and applied research and development that translates scientific discovery into practical field- and laboratory-ready solutions, helping to close the gap between innovation and implementation in real-world forensic settings.
NIJ is the largest federal funder of forensic science research and development in the United States. NIJ’s investments support projects by academic institutions, crime laboratories, and technology developers across a wide range of forensic science disciplines, including:
- Crime scene investigation
- Digital/multimedia evidence
- Fire investigation
- Forensic anthropology
- Forensic biology and DNA
- Forensic pathology
- Forensic toxicology
- Medicolegal death investigation
- Physics and pattern interpretation
- Seized drugs
- Trace evidence
The portfolio focuses on developing tools, methods, and technologies that enhance the quality and efficiency of forensic processes while increasing public trust in forensic science. Key subtopics include the application of existing technology for forensic use (e.g., next-generation sequencing of DNA evidence, advanced imaging for evidence visualization and postmortem examination, tools to analyze microbiome evidence); the development of novel analytical techniques (e.g., forensic applications of nanotechnology, methods for determining drug intoxication or impairment); and robust approaches for interpreting evidence in complex conditions (e.g., machine learning approaches to deconvolving mixed DNA profiles). The portfolio also examines workforce challenges, the understanding of forensic evidence in a court of law, and the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system by using social science research methods.
NIJ research also supports automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to increase capacity, reduce backlogs, and aid practitioners in reaching objective, reproducible conclusions. Projects often employ experimental lab studies, field validation, algorithm development, and curated datasets to inform method and implementation. NIJ has prioritized the creation of publicly accessible databases and reference materials to aid examinations, lower the barrier to technology implementation, and support consistent, standardized analysis across laboratories. By investing in research and development, NIJ accelerates the translation of cutting-edge tools that advance justice through science. This work enables forensic laboratories to deliver faster, more cost-effective, and more consistent results; equips practitioners with reliable and accurate methods; and provides courts with evidence and scientifically sound interpretations.
This portfolio raises the standard of forensic science practice and strengthens the credibility and impact of forensic evidence throughout the criminal justice system.
Research Priority 1: Advance applied research and development in forensic science.
| Number | Question |
|---|---|
| Research Question 1.1 | How can existing technologies be adapted to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, and objectivity of forensic analysis across diverse casework scenarios? |
| Research Question 1.2 | What novel analytical methods can be developed to increase the reliability of forensic evidence detection and differentiation from complex or degraded sample matrices? |
| Research Question 1.3 | How can forensic laboratories implement automated workflows and interoperable databases to streamline case processing, enhance reproducibility, and support the statistical interpretation of forensic evidence across jurisdictions? |
Research Priority 2: Support foundational research in forensic science.
| Number | Question |
|---|---|
| Research Question 2.1 | What is the scientific basis for and reliability of forensic pattern comparisons (especially traditional disciplines like latent prints, firearms, and bloodstain pattern s), and how can this be quantified and effectively communicated? |
| Research Question 2.2 | How do cognitive, contextual, and systemic human factors influence decision-making and error rates in forensic examinations, and what interventions can mitigate these risks? |
| Research Question 2.3 | How do environmental conditions, time, and handling practices affect the persistence and transfer of forensic evidence — such as DNA, trace fibers, or gunshot residue — and how can this inform interpretations about activity-level propositions in investigations? |
Priority 3: What is the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system?
| Number | Question |
|---|---|
| Research Question 3.1 | What is the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system? |
| Research Question 3.2 | What are the current and projected needs of the forensic science workforce in terms of staffing, education, training or certification, and well-being. How can targeted interventions improve recruitment, retention, and practitioner resilience? |
| Research Question 3.3 | What strategies are most effective for accurately communicating scientific findings to nontechnical criminal justice stakeholders (e.g., judges, attorneys, policymakers)? |
Reports -
- Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan 2022-2026
- The Impact of NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development
- Comprehensive Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices Points to Solutions for a System Under Stress
- Overview of Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Biology Research and Development at NIJ
- Overview of Forensic Pathology
- Forensic Toxicology
- Seized Drugs/Controlled Substances
- Overview of Trace Evidence
Datasets -
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