All Publications

Publications containing information on DNA technology and its applications in criminal justice systems.

Implementing SANE Programs in Rural Communities
Office for Victims of Crime, 2008
This replication guide highlights one region's efforts to address the difficulties of starting and sustaining SANE programs in rural areas. Under the leadership of the state sexual assault coalition, the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (FRIS), four counties in north-central West Virginia implemented the Regional Mobile SANE Project, using on-call SANEs to serve multiple hospitals.

This guide was developed to help other rural regions decide whether a mobile SANE project, customized to their local needs, might be a viable option.

Increasing Efficiency in Crime Laboratories
National Institute of Justice, January 2008
Many crime laboratories report high backlogs for forensic services. These backlogs can delay court proceedings and case investigation. Laboratories report that they do not have the staff to complete all service requests or the budget to hire new employees. Some laboratories have recently begun addressing these challenges with efficiency techniques—called process mapping, an efficiency forum, and business process management. The NIJ In Short Increasing Efficiency in Crime Laboratories describes how laboratories across the country have successfully used these techniques to reduce backlogs.

Medical Examiners and Coroners' Offices, 2004 
Bureau of Justice Statistics, June 2007Presents key findings from the 2004 Census of Medical Examiners and Coroners' (ME/C) Offices. This special report describes the medicolegal investigation of death in the United States. It provides an overview of the personnel, budgets, and workload of these offices by type of office and size of jurisdiction. It also includes information on the number of unidentified human decedents handled by ME/C offices. The report examines record keeping practices and use of national databases for unidentified remains. Detailed data tables on topics covered in this report are available on the BJS website.

Addressing Shortfalls in Forensic Science Education
National Institute of Justice, May 2007
The NIJ In Short Fact Sheet Addressing Shortfalls in Forensic Science Education describes the benefits of an accredited forensic science education program. Many crime labs find that new graduates from forensic education programs are not properly trained. A committee led by the American Academy of Forensic Science has developed an evaluation and accreditation process to help universities improve their curriculum. An accredited curriculum gives employers-such as crime lab directors-standard criteria to assess whether an applicant is qualified.

DNA: Critical Issues for Those Who Work with Victims (Video)
Office for Victims of Crime, April 2007
This 24-minute DVD (NCJ 211970) raises awareness for victim advocates, criminal justice practitioners, and others who work with crime victims about the issues involved for those whose cases involve DNA evidence. The video highlights issues such as collection and preservation of evidence, the crime's impact on the victim, victim notification at points along the process, and victim involvement and participation in the process.

View Clip | Order from NCJRS | View Entire Video (courtesy of the Denver DA's Office)

Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains: The Nation's Silent Mass Disaster
National Institute of Justice Journal 256, January 2007
If you ask most Americans about a mass disaster, they're likely to think of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, or the Southeast Asian tsunami. Very few people—including law enforcement officials—would think of the number of missing persons and unidentified human remains in our Nation as a crisis. It is, however, what experts call "a mass disaster over time."

Identifying Remains: Lessons Learned From 9/11
National Institute of Justice Journal 256, January 2007
Nothing in the history of mass fatality events prepared America's forensic community for the task of identifying those who died when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. To assist in this monumental effort, NIJ brought together a group of experts to advise and support New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner during the identification effort. The Kinship and Data Analysis Panel (KADAP), made recommendations on forensic technologies, policies, and procedures to help identify victims who perished in the World Trade Center.

Online DNA Training Targets Lawyers, Judges
National Institute of Justice Journal 256, January 2007
In today's criminal justice system, one of the most powerful tools in the search for the truth is DNA evidence. But the complexity of forensic DNA technologies, techniques, and analysis presents new challenges to prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges.

DNA Projects Target Missing Persons Cases
Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Institute of Justice, October 2006
On any given day, there are as many as 100,000 active missing persons cases in the United States, and every year, tens of thousands of people vanish under suspicious circumstances. Missing persons and unidentified human remains (UHR) investigations-—particularly, if a case goes cold—present a tremendous challenge for financially strapped state and local law enforcement agencies.  The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is working to help local jurisdictions meet these challenges.

By Glenn R. Schmitt, Acting Director, National Institute of Justice. Reprinted from The CJIS Link (Vol. 9, No. 3, October 2006), the newsletter of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

Can Jury Trial Innovations Improve Juror Understanding of DNA Evidence?
National Institute of Justice Journal 255, November 2006
A single spot of blood on a pink windowsill will tell investigators who broke a windowpane, turned a lock, and kidnapped 2-year-old Molly Evans from her bedroom in the middle of the night. An expert witness will testify that the DNA profile of the blood evidence recovered from the windowsill was entered into CODIS, an electronic database of DNA profiles. That process yielded a "hit," identifying the defendant as the most likely source of the blood inside Molly's room. But will jurors be able to understand the expert's intricate analysis and use it to reach a verdict? And what—if any—steps can be taken to increase jurors' comprehension of complex DNA evidence?

The Silent Witness
National District Attorneys Association, American Prosecutors Research Institute, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Statistics
Newsletter addressing forensic DNA issues.

Lessons Learned From 9/11: DNA Identification in Mass Fatality Incidents
National Institute of Justice 2006
Prepared by a group of the Nation's top forensic scientists, Lessons Learned From 9/11: DNA Identification in Mass Fatality Incidents offers a look back—and a look forward. The report reviews the experiences of the Kinship and Data Analysis Panel (KADAP), a blue-ribbon panel assembled by the National Institute of Justice after the 9/11 attacks. The KADAP's role was to support the work of New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the identification—through DNA analysis—of the World Trade Center victims. The report also looks to the future, offering "best practices" guidance (particularly to the Nation's laboratory directors) on preparing a plan for responding to a mass fatality event, whether caused by terrorism or natural disaster.

National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiners (Adobe PDF)
Office on Violence Against Women, 2006 
Offers a framework for the specialized education of health care providers who wish to practice as sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs). The standards provide guidelines to prepare SAFE candidates to work in coordination with other responders to meet the health care, forensic, and information needs of adult and adolescent sexual assault patients who present for the medical forensic examination. They are intended to guide those who develop, revise, coordinate, and/or conduct SAFE training regarding the minimum levels of instruction necessary to prepare candidates for their role. This standard is a companion to A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations.

See also the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Technical Assistance Web site: a Violence Against Women-funded project of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, provides online technical assistance with implementing the SAFE Protocol.

Identifying Victims Using DNA: A Guide for Families
National Institute of Justice, NIJ 2005
This 8-page booklet gives an overview of the DNA analysis process so that surviving family and friends will understand what DNA analysis can and cannot do, describes the sources of DNA that forensic scientists might use, and explains the differences between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

DNA in Minor Crimes Yields Major Benefits in Public Safety
National Institute of Justice, 2004
Property crime offenders have high recidivism rates, their crime and violence can escalate, and property crime cases often go unsolved. It has been estimated that each burglar in the top 10 percent of burglars commits more than 232 burglaries per year. Several police departments in the United States are finding that they may be able to change these trends. They are finding that biological evidence collected from property crime scenes can help solve other cases as well, prevent future property crimes, and prevent more serious offenses.

DNA's Link to Corrections (Adobe PDF)
Corrections Today, American Correctional Association, August 2004, by National Institute of Justice Staff
This article by NIJ staff discusses the DNA backlog and what role the corrections community might play under the President's DNA Initiative.

Education and Training in Forensic Science: A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions, and Students
National Institute of Justice, 2004
The validity of results of forensic investigations depends on the knowledge, skills, and experience of the forensic scientists working to obtain them. This NIJ Special Report presents consensus criteria and recommendations to establish best practices for educating and training forensic scientists. The information serves students as they prepare for a career in forensic science, educational institutions as they develop and revamp curriculums, and forensic scientists as they advance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in constantly evolving forensic science disciplines.

A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
Office on Violence Against Women, 2004
Offering assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault is essential. The Office on Violence Against Women developed this protocol to help health care providers, law enforcement officers, advocates, and others address the health needs of and minimize the trauma suffered by victims of sexual assault. Additionally, health providers need to know how to conduct a proper medical forensic exam to ensure that DNA and other evidence collected from the victim will be valid in court.

DNA Evidence Policy Considerations for the Prosecutor
American Prosecutors Research Institute, National District Attorneys Association, 2004, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Using DNA as evidence in criminal cases has catapulted forensic sciences into a new era. Never before have prosecutors had such a powerful tool at their disposal for identifying suspects. And never before has a technique been more thoroughly scrutinized and validated than forensic DNA testing. "Sample Policies Relating to DNA Evidence," listed in Appendix A, are available for download.

Report to the Attorney General on Delays in Forensic DNA Analysis
National Institute of Justice, 2003
Although crime laboratories have made enormous progress in reducing the number of unanalyzed convicted offender samples from DNA databases, they continue to be deluged with analysis requests. This report presents the results of a task force, convened by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at the request of Attorney General John Ashcroft, to assess existing DNA analysis delays and develop recommendations for eliminating those delays. The report details six recommendations that will serve as the foundation of a comprehensive, national DNA backlog reduction strategy.

Forensic DNA Fundamentals for the Prosecutor—Be Not Afraid
American Prosecutors Research Institute, National District Attorneys Association, 2004, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance
This publication serves as a primer on the basics of DNA. The document describes in detail the science and the math behind DNA testing, trial issues, and potential defense challenges prosecutors face in DNA cases.

National Forensic DNA Study Report
Smith Alling Lane, P.S.; Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, 2003, with funding from the National Institute of Justice
An NIJ-commissioned independent study to ascertain the size of and reasons for the Nation's backlog of DNA evidence.

The Application of DNA Technology in England and Wales
Smith Alling Lane, P.S.; Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, 2003, with funding from the National Institute of Justice
England is widely recognized as having the most effective and efficient approach to the use of forensic DNA technology in the world. This NIJ commissioned independent study reviews the application of DNA technology in England and Wales.

Forensic Science Communications
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quarterly
A peer-reviewed forensic science journal published quarterly by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory personnel. It is a means of communication between forensic scientists and includes information on DNA-related topics.

Using DNA to Solve Cold Cases
National Institute of Justice, 2002
A practical resource for law enforcement personnel who review old, cold, or unsolved cases. The report provides legal and practical considerations for applying DNA technology to unsolved cases and delivers a step-by-step process to help investigators select cases that DNA evidence will most likely help solve.

2002 DNA Grantees' Workshop
National Institute of Justice, 2003
Includes the executive summary and research briefings from the 2002 Third Annual DNA Grantees' Workshop. Organizations receiving funding support for DNA laboratory improvement discuss how new technological innovations might be developed and adapted to meet the current and future needs of public crime laboratories.

Raising the Bar: The Impact of DNA Testing on the Field of Forensics
National Institute of Justice, 2002
As part of NIJ's Perspectives on Crime and Justice 2000–2001 Lecture Series, Margaret Berger discussed the impact of DNA testing on the field of forensics. Presentations are followed by "question and answer" sessions.

Survey of DNA Crime Laboratories, 2001
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002
Reports findings from a survey of publicly operated forensic crime labs that perform DNA testing. The survey included questions about each lab's budget, personnel, workloads, procedures, equipment, and other topics.

Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers
National Institute of Justice and Office for Victims of Crime, 2001
Describes the value of DNA evidence for victim service providers so that they may understand the potential significance of DNA evidence to their clients' cases.

• NIJ Brochure
• OVC Bulletin

Improved Analysis of DNA Short Tandem Repeats With Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
National Institute of Justice, 2001
Explains the value of analyzing DNA samples using time-of-flight mass spectrometry, a technology that can process several thousand DNA samples daily with greater accuracy than conventional electrophoresis methods.

2001 DNA Grantees' Workshop
National Institute of Justice, 2002
This CD-ROM includes the executive summary and research briefings from the Second Annual DNA Grantees' Workshop, held June 6–8, 2001. Organizations receiving funding support for DNA laboratory improvement discuss how new technological innovations might be developed and adapted to meet the current and future needs of public crime laboratories.

The Future of Forensic DNA Testing: Predictions of the Research and Development Working Group
National Institute of Justice, 2000
This 2000 report, the work of the Research and Development Working Group of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, discusses projected 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year milestones for DNA technology.

The FBI's DNA and Databasing Initiatives
Federal Bureau Investigation, 2000
Provides an introduction to DNA evidence and FBI crime lab capabilities, as well as statistics and success stories for DNA-related casework.

The FBI's Combined DNA Index System Program: CODIS
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000
Gives background information on the FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which blends forensic science and computer technology into an effective tool for solving violent crimes. CODIS enables Federal, State, and local crime labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders.

Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests
National Institute of Justice, 1999
Developed by the Postconviction Issues Working Group of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, this publication offers recommendations for prosecutors, defense counsels, courts, and other relevant groups who receive requests for postconviction DNA testing on how to handle such requests.

Read the complete text of Postconviction DNA Testing: Recommendations for Handling Requests on DNA.gov or download the document in Acrobat PDF or ASCII.

What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence (Brochure)
National Institute of Justice, 1999
A pocket-sized brochure that gives police officers practical information about identifying, preserving, and collecting DNA to help solve cases.

Convicted by Juries, Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the Use of DNA Evidence to Establish Innocence After Trial
National Institute of Justice, 1996
Discusses a study, initiated in June 1995, to identify and review cases in which convicted persons were released from prison as a result of posttrial DNA testing of evidence. As of early 1996, researchers had found 28 such cases: DNA test results obtained subsequent to trial proved that, on the basis of DNA evidence, the convicted persons could not have committed the crimes for which they were incarcerated.