Support for Forensic Science Research Improving the Scientific Role of the National Institute of Justice (2015) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 Research Operations of the National Institute of Justice
3 Research Operations of the National Institute of Justice
Pages 35-60
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 35... ...
As discussed below, NIJ has made productive organizational and process changes in its operations since the release of Forensic Science: Path Forward in 2009 and Strengthening NIJ in 2010.1 However, the committee believes the agency still lacks a clear strategy for its research portfolio and thus falls short in its ability to advance the field. 1 As noted in Chapter 1, this report uses the abbreviation Forensic Science: Path Forward for the 2009 NRC report and Strengthening NIJ for the 2010 report.
|
From page 36... ...
The committee believes this reorganization is appropriate to elevate the stature of forensic science and improve access to resources within the agency. Grants awarded by OIFS comprise most of the forensic science portfolio at NIJ; this portfolio includes forensic science research cooperative agreements as well as assistance grants for casework backlog reduction and forensic laboratory improvements.
|
From page 37... ...
strengthen the scientific basis of the forensic science disciplines. SOURCE: NIJ's Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences, see http://www.nij.gov/about/ pages/oifs.aspx [June 2015]
|
From page 38... ...
The TWG, made up of forensic science practitioners, is not intended to be a research advisory group but rather to be a source of input into the research priorities ultimately chosen by NIJ. According to OIFS, the current TWG process is designed to avoid bias by researcher input and avoid conflating current practices with technologies in development or research findings not yet published.6 For those reasons, individuals who are primarily researchers and not practicing forensic scientists have not been included in the TWG membership.
|
From page 39... ...
and Technology Working Groups panel, by George Herrin, Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Mike Gorn, Sarasota County Sheriff; and Steve Renteria, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, May 7, 2015. The practicing forensic scientists from the Technology Working Groups panel acknowledged that because of large caseloads there is little to no time to conduct research in the laboratories, so they appreciate the larger research community's awareness of needs in their field.
|
From page 40... ...
The committee heard that NIJ still communicates its forensic science research priorities to the research community only through its solicitations.9 The committee believes that this approach is not as effective as having a public statement of research priorities, which is available before the release of solicitations and can direct researchers to critical areas in forensic science for longer-term funding opportunities. However, NIJ has made other changes to its procedures for awarding research grants.
|
From page 41... ...
. 11 Presentation on Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation Process, by Gerry LaPorte and Danielle McLeod-Henning, OIFS, NIJ, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, April 1, 2015.
|
From page 42... ...
Proposals related to R&D on impression/pattern evidence and trace evidence analysis are reviewed through SRPs.12 Proposals submitted in other forensic areas, such as those for biology/DNA, controlled substances, crime scene investigation, forensic anthropology, forensic pathology, and toxicology, are reviewed by what are known as ad hoc review panels. NIJ oversees its own peer-review panels following OJP standard operating procedures or procedures for SRPs developed in consultation with OJP's Office of Audit, Assessment, and Management.
|
From page 43... ...
OIFS staff recommend forensic science research proposals for funding to the NIJ director based on a number of factors, including the strength of the research proposals as evaluated through their peer-review rankings, the needs of the forensic science practitioner community, and the quality and state of existing R&D initiatives.15 In addition, special consideration may also be given to proposals that involve investigators not previously funded by NIJ or that address one of the designated innovative areas of research (discussed above) .16 Peer-reviewer recommendations are used as guidance in 13 Panel presentations on NIJ Peer Review Panels, by Phillip Danielson, University of Denver, and Eric Bartelink, California State University, Chico, and Standing Review Panels at NIJ, by Eric Buel, State of Vermont Forensic Laboratory; Brooke Weinger Kammrath, University of New Haven; and Martin Wells, Cornell University, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, April 1, 2015.
|
From page 44... ...
, impression and pattern evidence, and trace evidence has significantly increased. There have also been more awards in the areas of DNA and forensic biology, fire debris analysis and arson, questioned documents, forensic crime scene analysis, and forensic toxicology/controlled substances.
|
From page 45... ...
It also supports research to improve the collection and processing of other types of forensic evidence. Recent projects, for example, are developing imaging technologies for detection of fingerprints, body fluids, and other residues at crime scenes; developing hand-held analyzers for controlled substances; and tackling new challenges such as the identification of synthetic cannabinoids.
|
From page 46... ...
. The Green Mountain DNA conference has become a prominent forum on improving research and practice and encouraging collaboration in the field of forensic science and was launched 8 years ago with funding from NIJ (presentation on Standing Review Panels at NIJ, by Eric Buel, State of Vermont Forensic Laboratory, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, April 1, 2015)
|
From page 47... ...
. In a written statement to Question 7, provided by the NIJ's OIFS, in response to committee's questions found in Appendix C, NIJ reported annual downloads of all its available forensic science R&D final technical reports in the range of about 275,000 to 1,600,000 for the years 2009-2014, with several technical reports exceeding 40,000 downloads in those 5 years.
|
From page 48... ...
In this section the committee will review the changes NIJ has made to encourage the development of forensic science research, expand the number of people engaged in that research, and facilitate transition of new technologies and solutions to forensic science practitioners. Supporting Researchers: Dissemination and Education Strengthening NIJ observed that support and outreach from NIJ to researchers declined in the mid- to late 2000s.
|
From page 49... ...
. 23 Presentation on OIFS Dissemination/Strategic Plan, by Gerry LaPorte and Danielle McLeod-Henning, OIFS, NIJ, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, May 7, 2015.
|
From page 50... ...
. 25 Presentation on OIFS Budget, by Gerry LaPorte, OIFS, NIJ, to the Committee on Strengthening Forensic Science at the National Institute of Justice, April 1, 2015.
|
From page 51... ...
However, a broader set of forensic science disciplines and needs were neglected (National Research Council, 2009b, 2010)
|
From page 52... ...
from funding set aside from OJP's assistance programs for research and statistics in NIJ and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and (3) from funding for the DNA backlog reduction and sexual assault forensic examination programs that can be used for related purposes.
|
From page 53... ...
Figure 3-3 shows the amounts used to fund forensic science research. Most of the funding to support forensic science R&D has been carved out of funds appropriated to support the DNA backlog reduction program.
|
From page 54... ...
Post-conviction DNA testing 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program 0 0 0.5 0 0.3 0 Paul Coverdell 0 0 0 0 0 0 NIJ base funds 0 0 0 0 0.3 2.5 NIJ base forensics carve-out 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 Research and statistics set-aside 0 0 0 1.9 2.4 2.3 Incoming reimbursable agreements/earmarks 0 0 0 0 0 0 Computer Forensics (OST) DNA analysis and capacity enhancement 0.5 1.2 0 0 0 0 NIJ base forensics carve-out 2.9 3.9 3.9 0 0 0 Forensic-Related Social DNA analysis and capacity enhancement 2.4 0.7 2.5 0.8 0 0 Science Research (ORE)
|
From page 55... ...
Training Development & DNA analysis and capacity enhancement 13.8 9.4 4.6 0 0.5 0 Delivery Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program 0 0 0.7 0 0 0 Incoming reimbursable agreements/earmarks 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 DNA Backlog and Other DNA analysis and capacity enhancement 89.5 84.9 93.3 85.2 76.3 72.3 Backlog Casework Post-conviction DNA testing 10.2 2.3 7.4 3.5 3.3 3.6 Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program 0 2.4 0 3.6 0.6 1.0 NIJ base funds 0 0 0 0 0 0 Incoming reimbursable agreements/earmarks 2.8 2.6 0 0 0 0 Laboratory Improvements DNA analysis and capacity enhancement 3.7 0.2 0 0 0 0 Paul Coverdell 22.7 33.3 26.7 10.6 9.7 10.5 NIJ base funds 0 0 0 0 0 0 SOURCE: Committee created with data provided by NIJ. NOTE: Funding sources are those related to NIJ's forensic science portfolio in its OIFS; these represent most of the types of funding appropriated to NIJ but not all.
|
From page 56... ...
NIJ base = appropriated amounts for NIJ's total base budget; R&S set-aside = total funds set aside for research and statistics across OJP's programs; Lab programs = funds for programs to assist forensic laboratories, including DNA backlog reduction (DNA related and other forensics) and sexual assault forensic exam program.
|
From page 57... ...
; and funds for some programs to assist forensic laboratories, including DNA backlog reduction (DNA related and other forensics) and sexual assault forensic exam program (laboratory programs)
|
From page 58... ...
Staffing Since OIFS oversees most of the forensic science research supported by NIJ, the committee reviewed the staffing in this office. OIFS oversees both forensic science research and the programs to enhance capacity in forensic laboratories (e.g., DNA backlog reduction, Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program)
|
From page 59... ...
return control to NIJ for the timing and content of its publications have restored authority and independence that is appropriate for a science agency. Recent activities and programs intended to support the work of graduate students in forensic science and to attract new investigators from a broader set of scientific disciplines to the forensic science field show promise toward building a research infrastructure necessary to develop and sustain research that advances forensic
|
From page 60... ...
NIJ continues to involve its established Technology Working Groups in identifying needs of practicing forensic scientists. Gathering input from the practice community is important, especially considering that NIJ's applied research portfolio is directed toward improving forensic science methods and analytic techniques at crime scenes or in forensic laboratories.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.