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
- Naturally-occurring DNA fragment termini correlate with methylation at CpG sites in hair and blood plasma cell-free DNA
- Rootless hair as a reliable source of forensic genetic information
Supporting States to Test Sexual Assault Evidence
Crime laboratory and law enforcement personnel from three states discuss the value the NIJ-FBI Sexual Assault Kit Partnership to test sexual assault evidence and obtain investigatory leads.
During this partnership, NIJ is working with the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to test eligible kits from law enforcement agencies and laboratories across the country and develop best practices that can improve the quality and speed of sexual assault kit processing.
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Genes of a Feather Stick Together: Evaluating Linked Markers
New DNA analysis kits used in kinship testing may contain loci that are potentially linked. This project will examine if three pairs of exhibit linkage and explore possible solutions for using these loci more appropriately in kinship testing.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 28, 2018.
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Evaluate Population-Specific Sibship During Kinship Analysis
This webinar will provide an overview of what kinship analysis programs are currently in use and will provide an in-depth analysis of how population-based allele frequency databases impact sibship determination.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 21, 2018.
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Evaluating the Use of DNA Analysis for Family Reunification
DNA analysis allows for testing relationships (kinship) between two individuals in situations that vary from legal immigration to claimed parentage testing. This webinar focuses on the applicability of DNA testing for family reunification.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 14, 2018.
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Cost-Benefit Analysis of Kinship Testing Involving Siblings
This webinar aims to improve the knowledge on kinship testing involving siblings, and provides a cost-benefit analysis of practices involving the use of additional reference siblings and substitution of half siblings for full siblings in kinship tests.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 7, 2018.
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Regional Fentanyl Trends, Safety
Regional fentanyl trends in Phoenix and Pittsburgh discussed along with safety concerns with unknown white powders. Handheld field testing technology was also discussed including RAMAN and IMS.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 6, 2018.
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A Study on the Asymmetry Between the Left and Right Human Pubic Symphysis for Age-at-Death Estimation Based on 3D Laser Scans and Computational Methods
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is a free and open meeting where attendees learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of 17 videos recorded at the 2018 symposium.
The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 18, 2018.
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Assessing the Impact of Portable Mass Spectrometers (MS) for On-Site Drug Evidence Processing
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is a free and open meeting where attendees learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of 17 videos recorded at the 2018 symposium.
The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 18, 2018.
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Candidates of Skin Microbiomes for Human Identification
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is a free and open meeting where attendees learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of 17 videos recorded at the 2018 symposium.
The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 18, 2018.
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Opening Remarks at the 2018 NIJ Forensic Science Research & Development Symposium
The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is a free and open meeting where attendees learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of 17 videos recorded at the 2018 symposium.
The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 18, 2018.
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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.
