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Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Description

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.

Building a Science of Cranial Fracture

February 2018

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.

Standardizing a Large-Scale, Whole Body CT Image

February 2018

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.

Forensic Geosourcing Potential of the Human Microbiome

February 2018

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.

The Effect of Sample Preparation Techniques on Matrix and Absolute Recovery of Opiates in Liver Tissue Using UPLC-MS/MS

February 2018

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.

Evaluating Trends in Novel Psychoactive Substances Using a Sentinel Population of Electronic Dance Music Festival Attendees

February 2018

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.

Assessing the Impact of Portable Mass Spectrometers (MS) for On-Site Drug Evidence Processing

February 2018

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.

Instrumental Analysis of Gunshot Residue—Reconstruction of Crime Scenes

January 2018

This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.

The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.

Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages).

Using Eye Tracking to Understand Decisions by Forensic Latent Print Examiners

January 2018

This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.

The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.

Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages).

Swab Touch Spray Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Analysis of Organic Gunshot Residue from Human Hand and Various Surfaces Using Commercial and Fieldable Mass Spectrometry Systems

January 2018

This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.

The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.

Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages).

Status Update on the Development of a 3D Scanning and Analysis System for Cartridge Cases

January 2018

This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.

The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.

Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages).

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.