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
- Optimized, Semi-Automated Differential DNA Extraction
- Implementation of NPS Discovery – An Early Warning System for Novel Drug Intelligence, Surveillance, Monitoring, Response, and Forecasting using Drug Materials
- Increase in Fatal Overdoses Linked to Novel Synthetic Opioid N-Propionitrile Chlorphine (Cychlorphine)
Game Over: The Prosecution of Mell Hall, Part 1
Former Major League Baseball player Mel Hall is known for many things, but his athletic career is shadowed by a severe crime: preying on underage girls. In 2009, Hall was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. In this presentation, survivor Chaz discussed her personal story and the methods Hall used to manipulate her family into trusting him.
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Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence and Special Needs Victims, Part 1
The elderly and those living with special needs are two of the most vulnerable populations in our society. As such, additional care and knowledge is necessary to investigate these cases. Jamie Downs, M.D., provided detailed case studies, best practices for investigating these cases, and other noteworthy topics in this presentation.
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Forensic Investigative Techniques and Case Consultations, Part 1
In the final presentation of the day, Bonnie Armstrong and Jamie Downs, M.D., speak with investigators about case consultation and evidence collection techniques. Topics include: photography, search warrants, multidisciplinary teams, and the information that can be gained from an autopsy.
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The National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium
Learn about the NIJ National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium held in September 2016 from its audience members and organizers. The Symposium focused on how the nation is moving forward and finding solutions to the complex issues that arise in sexual assault cases and in testing sexual assault evidence.
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Funding Opportunities for Publicly Funded Crime Labs, Fiscal Year 2017
This webinar will inform the audience of the changes to three programs available for publicly funded forensic laboratories and introduce a new program for FY 2017. Changes to existing programs will be highlighted and presenters will discuss the background and goals of the solicitations, recommendations for successful applications, application expectations and requirements, the review process, and the application checklist. There will also be time for questions and answers at the end of the webinar.
Solicitations discussed include:
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Predict Human Appearance From DNA Focusing on Pigmentation
Principles, methods and applications of DNA-based prediction of human appearance traits for forensic and anthropological use with specific insights into eye, hair, and skin colour prediction from DNA.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 1, 2017.
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Dreamland: Sam Quinones Explores America's Opiate Epidemic
Sam Quinones is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist and author of three books of narrative nonfiction. His latest book is Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic (Bloomsbury, 2015), which will be discussed in this webinar.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in January 2017.
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Identify Synthetic Opioids using Ambient Ionization TOF-MS
This webinar will present the results of the evaluation of Direct Sample Analysis Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry to provide rapid identification of eighteen fentanyl analogues and related synthetic opiates.
This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in 2017.
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Progress on Testing Sexual Assault Kits
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A Conversation With Natasha Alexenko, Founder of Natasha's Justice Project
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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.
