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
A Comprehensive Research on Shoeprints RACs
<p>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.</p> <p>The symposium was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ojp.gov/pdffile1/nij/grants/304666.pdf">Review the conference proceedings (pdf, 161 pages)</a>.</p>
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Statistical Error Estimation for an Objective Measure of Similarity to a Latent Image
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.
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Deep Learning in Handwriting Comparison
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.
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The Effects of a Prior Examiner’s Status and Findings on Lay Examiners’ Shoeprint Match Decisions
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.
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Evaluation of Error Rates in the Determination of Duct Tape Fracture Matches
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.
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Generalizing Across Forensic Comparative Science Disciplines
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.
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Integration of Pulp and Paper Fiber Microscopy into a Course on Forensic Paper Examination and Authentication of Historical Documents for Forensic Chemistry and Art Conservation
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.
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Opening Remarks at the 2018 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence Symposium, Gerald LaPorte
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.
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“Congruent Matching”—Theory and Application in Forensic Image Identification
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.
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The Anatomy of Forensic Identification Decisions: Rethinking Current Reporting Practice in a Decision-Theoretic Perspective
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.
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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.
