Support for Forensic Science Research Improving the Scientific Role of the National Institute of Justice (2015) / Chapter Skim
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Given the challenges facing forensic science laboratories in terms of resources, caseloads, and variations in configuration among state and local jurisdictions, there is an urgent need for leadership at the national level to frame and sustain an extensive program of high-quality, strategically focused forensic science research designed to improve the forensic tools available to the criminal justice system. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
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to advance forensic science research since the 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, and the 2010 report, Strengthening the National Institute of Justice. Specifically, this study will focus on (1)
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FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES Forensic science research is conducted in public laboratories, private industry laboratories, and academia. Like NIJ, a number of federal agencies, including but not limited to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
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For this reason, the committee believes that the development of a strategic plan for forensic science research and development with short-, mid-, and long-term goals and priorities will help NIJ build a portfolio of cumulative knowledge and provide stability for researchers. Such a strategic plan should guide all internal decision making, from the development of solicita
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Recommendation 4-2: The National Institute of Justice should estab lish a research advisory board that includes a broad array of scientists, including forensic science researchers and practitioners, in order to better integrate their perspectives into its processes for identifying and prioritizing research needs. The research advisory board should also monitor progress in achieving the strategic plan's designated goals.
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Congressional appropriations to support NIJ's research programs have declined since the early to mid-2000s and remain insufficient, especially in light of the growing challenges facing the forensic science community. In addition, the programmatic staffing for forensic science research has not changed commensurate with the increasing scope of responsibilities for NIJ in this area.
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To build support for a robust research budget, the impact of NIJ's forensic science research and development program must be more effectively communicated to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the public. In addition to employing a science writer and using multiple media venues to alert audiences to available research findings, NIJ supports the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in its role to provide resources and workshops to practitioners and to maintain a connection between NIJ's research portfolio and the practice of forensic science.
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Recommendation 4-8: The National Institute of Justice should develop an appropriate set of procedures and metrics to measure outcomes regularly and evaluate the impact of its forensic science research and capacity-building portfolio. CONCLUSION The need to improve the scientific basis for some forensic disciplines is high: because of the volume of forensic transactions processed annually in the United States, even the smallest of error rates can have great consequences and erode the public's confidence in a fair and credible criminal justice system.
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. Assuming these recommendations are fully implemented and any barriers overcome, this committee believes NIJ has the potential to lead forensic science research across the federal government, a role with clear and striking consequences for the criminal justice system.
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