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
Reality Check - What Is Expected from Expert Witnesses
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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Assessing and Reducing Variability in Friction Ridge Suitability Determinations
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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Likelihood Ratio Testimony - Cross-Examined
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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The NC Statewide Medical Examiner System Laboratory Approach
This webinar will focus on the North Carolina Medical Examiner System and the toxicology laboratory that serves the system. Included will be information on the changing landscape of death certification and changes to the laboratory approach to testing.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 21, 2017.
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The Industry’s Role in Responding to the Opioid Crisis
This webinar will describe the role that the reference material manufacturer plays by providing the tools needed to respond to the current opioid epidemic.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 16, 2017.
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The Opioid Overdose Epidemic in America: CDC Response
In this Webinar the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will present an overview of the opioid overdose epidemic and its public health burden, followed by a description of the multi-faceted public health approach.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 14, 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.
