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.
Estimating Error Rates of Firearm Identifications Using the CMC Method
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 Effect of Fingerprint Chemicals on the Chemical Analysis and Comparison of Duct and Cloth Tapes
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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Untangling the Relationship Between Hair Microstructure and Ancestry
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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Further Persistence Studies of PDMS Condom Lubricants
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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Instrumental Validation of a Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy
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, Ted Hunt
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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Investigative DNA Testing Implementation
This webinar will discuss the technical and operational aspects of implementing forensic investigative DNA testing. DNA based prediction of physical appearance can provide investigators with useful leads when a DNA profile generates no hits.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 16, 2018.
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A Close Look at 3D Microscopy for Firearms Identification
Firearms identification is undergoing a major change in capability with the adoption of optical topography, which provides a 3D view of the surface of a bullet or cartridge case to capture the full range of subclass and individual characteristics.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 10, 2018.
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Collaboration in the Fight Against Fentanyl
This webinar will identify partnerships and innovative efforts in the whole of government approach to identify and interdict fentanyl analogues, as well as to heighten awareness and strengthen legal mechanisms for dealing with the illicit fentanyl crisis.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 13, 2017.
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DNA Methylation-Based Age Prediction
In this webinar you will discover how multiplex assays targeting CpG sites can be used to predict the age of an individual and determine the body fluid of origin of a sample.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 6, 2017.
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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.
