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."
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.
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.
A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (Adobe PDF)
OVAW, 2004
Effective evidence collection is an integral factor in the prosecution of sex offenders. This protocol provides detailed guidelines for criminal justice and health care practitioners in responding to the immediate needs of sexual assault victims.
Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology
The White House, 2003
An overview of the President's Initiative to improve the use of DNA in the criminal justice system by providing funding, training, and assistance. The President has proposed $1 billion in funding over 5 years to fulfill the goals of the initiative: reduce the DNA testing backlog, build crime lab capacity, stimulate research and development, support training, protect the innocent, and identify missing persons.
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.
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
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.
Raising the Bar: The Impact of DNA Testing on the Field of Forensics
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.
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.
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.
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