Forensic science is the application of sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering to matters of law.
NIJ’s forensic science research and development program focuses on basic and applied scientific research with the intent to:
- Direct the findings of basic scientific research in broader scientific fields applicable to forensic science.
- Apply forensic science research to the development of highly discriminating, accurate, reliable, cost-effective, rapid methods for the identification, analysis and interpretation of physical evidence.
- Expand the scientific basis of forensic methods.
- Produce useful materials, devices, systems or methods that have the potential for forensic application.
- Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice.
On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to forensic sciences.
Publications and Grant Reports
- Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Drug and Drug Metabolite Screening Directly from Postmortem Blood Samples
- Implementation of NPS Discovery – An Early Warning System for Novel Drug Intelligence, Surveillance, Monitoring, Response, and Forecasting using Drug Materials
- Naturally-occurring DNA fragment termini correlate with methylation at CpG sites in hair and blood plasma cell-free DNA
Forensic Anthropology Research and Development; 2023 NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas.
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Just Investigative Support for Indigenous Communities
In episode three of our Unidentified Human Remains mini season, Just Science sat down with Mark Pooley, founder of Native Search Solutions, and Dustin Driscoll, Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, to discuss the many barriers faced by indigenous communities when it comes to identifying missing and murdered persons.
Dental Morphology: The Informative but Lesser-Known Traits
This presentation introduces scoring procedures for dental morphological traits of the molars that can be employed in population affinity estimates for forensic anthropological casework. While common traits, such as shoveling and Carabelli’s trait, are briefly discussed, the focus on molar morphology promotes a greater understanding of informative, less commonly utilized traits that often preserve better in forensic case settings.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 8, 2023.
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Just Improved Response to Sexual Assault
In episode two of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Julie Valentine, the Associate Dean of the Brigham Young University College of Nursing, to discuss the factors that contribute to low prosecution rates for sexual assault cases. In our last episode, Dr. Valentine highlighted the importance of sexual assault kit submission and DNA evidence as the groundwork for prosecution in sexual assault cases.
Just Certification for Death Investigation
In episode four of our Supporting Medicolegal Death Investigators mini season, Just Science sat down with Bridget Kinnier and Bethany Smith, the President and Executive Director of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, also knows ABMDI, to discuss the importance of standardization and accreditation within the MDI community. Because of the complex and multidisciplinary role of a medicolegal death investigator, it is important that there are national standards of knowledge for those who work in the field.
Just DNA Results in Rapid Time
In episode two of our Unidentified Human Remains season, Just Science sat down with Neal Parsons, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, to discuss how rapid DNA analysis has become an important method for identifying unknown human remains, especially in cases of mass fatality. Rapid DNA analysis is a fully automated process of developing DNA profiles without the need for a DNA laboratory or human interpretation.
Going All In – Laboratories with Completely Digital Systems
Change can be intimidating and making a transition to a paperless system can be daunting task. This presentation discusses two perspectives on how laboratories embraced technology for administrative and casework processes, the lessons learned, and the vision for additional growth.
This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 2, 2023.
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Triaging Cases – Case Management and All That Means
This webinar presents laboratory managers with a discussion on case management in forensic science laboratories. All forensic science laboratories struggle with caseloads and backlogs in some way and to varying extremes. The answer to this struggle is a process to manage caseloads through evidence triage, case information management, and communication. A discussion on the challenges involved in case management is followed by practical experiences in writing and implementing case management policies.
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Just Teeth and Technology
In episode one of our Unidentified Human Remains mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Kenneth Aschheim, Assistant Chief Forensic Ontologist for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, to discuss how dental evidence can be used to help identify human remains. Due to their strength, heat resistance, and lack of decomposition over time, teeth are one of the most resilient substances found in the human body. As a result, forensic odontologists can use the teeth of decedents to match the antemortem dental records in order to help identify unknown human remains. Listen as Dr.
Maintaining a Positive Quality Culture during Change
This webinar shares insight into why it is important to have a positive quality culture within a laboratory. Attendees see how establishing a culture where the proactive pursuit of quality is a positive for a laboratory. When actively pursuing quality, staff will help management navigate and be successful during the time of change. The presentation discusses how change, whether small or large, can be perceived and affect employees differently, and will provide some strategies on how to mitigate the effect change could have on their employees.
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Research Forensic Library
We invite you to also search the Research Forensic Library, a curated collection of publicly-accessible material relating to every discipline of the forensic sciences.
