Date January 2017 Overview The familiar ‘13 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core loci’ expanded to ‘20 CODIS core loci’ as mandated by the FBI on January 1, 2017. Because of this FBI mandate, participating CODIS laboratories will need to internally…
Category: Discipline (page 77)
A Guidance Document on the Forensic Application of Massively Parallel Sequencing
Date December 2016 Overview This report describes the fundamentals of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) for the application to forensic analysis. Also included within this report is a comprehensive summary of the webinar series which discussed the strength of the technology and…
Microbial Forensics Webinar Series
Date December 2016 Overview In 2016, the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) at RTI International hosted a three-part webinar series on Microbial Forensics in collaboration with the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). The…
A Landscape Study of Mobile Evidential Breath Alcohol Instruments
Date December 2016 Overview This report provides a landscape of select mobile evidential breath alcohol instruments and factors impacting their implementation and use. Specifically, this report provides decision-makers and potential end users with the following: 1) an overview of the technology…
A Landscape Study of Federal Investment in Forensic Science R&D
Date December 2016 Overview Federal government involvement in forensic science improvement has accelerated in recent years. Federal investments have transformed DNA capacity and demonstrated the power of scientific advances to address criminal justice challenges. In its 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science…
A Landscape Study of Forensic Optical Topography
Date December 2016 Overview The objectives of this landscape study are to: Inform the forensic professional concerning the application of optical topography in the crime laboratory; Compare available instruments, some of which are not commonly used for forensics; Discuss barriers to…
State Forensic Science Commissions
Date November 2016 Overview State commissions focus on communication and collaboration among laboratories and stakeholders, allocation of resources, laboratory improvements, promulgation of accreditation and certification standards, investigations into misconduct or professional negligence in crime laboratories, and other implementation and oversight issues.…
2016 NIJ Crime Laboratory Directors Meeting
Date November 2016 Overview On August 29–30, 2016, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) convened a meeting with forensic Laboratory Directors from various regions of the United States. The purpose of the meeting was to (1) gather information and feedback on…
A Landscape Study of 3D Crime Scene Scanning Devices
Date Updated: August 2018 Original: January 2016 Overview Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has become the gold standard of measurement and is the basis for 3D laser scanning technology used today in multiple disciplines that range from engineering to meteorology…
A Validation and Evaluation of Magneto-Optical Imaging Technology
Date August 2015 Overview Serial Numbers are removed from firearms in an effort to prevent tracking. MO sensor technology is a non-destructive method for restoring serial number identification in firearms. Phase II of this FTCOE technology evaluation validates the detection and…