Fundamental Forensic Science Research
Fundamental forensic science research seeks to improve the understanding of the accuracy and reliability of methods used to analyze evidence. Forensic scientists must be aware of the strengths and limitations of their determinations and the factors that may affect those conclusions.
To assess the overall strengths and weaknesses within the forensic community, the National Academy of Sciences outlined recommendations in an NIJ-funded report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (pdf, 350 pages).
NIJ is committed to evaluating and improving the current practices within the forensic science disciplines and currently funds projects to:
- Standardize forensic procedures and processes.
- Identify potential sources of bias and variation and their effects on forensic examinations.
- Evaluate the impact of training and experience on measures of examiner performance.
- Create methods to monitor and improve the steps in the forensic evidence analysis process.
Awards Made Under the Fundamentals of Forensic Science Program
| Project Title | Awardee | Award Number | Amount[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Determination of the Unique Fracture Patterns in Glass and Glassy Polymers | The Regents of the University of California | 2010-DN-BX-K219 | $152,877 |
| Miami-Dade Research Study for the Reliability of the ACE-V Process: Accuracy, Precision, Reproducibility and Repeatability in Latent Fingerprint Examination | Miami Dade County | 2010-DN-BX-K268 | $139,530 |
| Miami-Dade Repeatability and Uniqueness of Striations/Impressions in Bullets Fired in 10 Consecutively Manufactured Glock EBIS Barrels | Miami Dade County | 2010-DN-BX-K269 | $23,896 |
| Frequency Occurrence of Handwriting and Hand-Printing Characteristics | University of Central Florida | 2010-DN-BX-K273 | $498,659 |
| The Effects of Acquisition of Postmortem Blood Specimens on Drug Levels and the Effects of Transport Conditions on Degradation of Drugs | Iowa Department of Public Health | 2010-DN-BX-K216 | $167,697 |
| Validity, Reliability, Accuracy, and Bias in Forensic Signature Identification | Kentucky State University | 2010-DN-BX-K271 | $466,710 |
| Electrical Fires' Forensic Signatures of Fire Cause Events | Hughes Associates, Inc. | 2010-DN-BX-K218 | $325,715 |
| Development of Individual Handwriting Characteristics in 1,800 Students: Statistical Analysis and Likelihood Ratios That Emerge Over An Extended Period of Time. | Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension | 2010-DN-BX-K212 | $399,172 |
| Reliability Measures for Current Methods in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis | Minnesota Department of Public Safety | 2010-DN-BX-K213 | $602,578 |
| Testing the Validity of Radiographic Comparisons in Positive Identifications | North Carolina State University | 2010-DN-BX-K214 | $284,763 |
| Improving Investigative Lead Information and Evidential Significance Assessment for Automotive Paint and the PDQ Database | Oklahoma State University | 2010-DN-BX-K217 | $460,473 |
| Reliability of Forensic Data From Networked Process Control System | The University of Tulsa | 2010-DN-BX-K215 | $743,706 |
| Improving the Understanding and the Reliability of the Concept of "Sufficiency" in Friction Ridge Examination | The Pennsylvania State University | 2010-DN-BX-K267 | $479,412 |
| Evaluation of Statistical Measures for Fiber Comparisons: Interlaboratory Studies and Forensic Databases | University of South Carolina Research Foundation | 2010-DN-BX-K220 | $489,049 |
| Independent Validation Test of Microscopic Analysis of Saw Marks in Bone | County of Harris, Texas | 2010-DN-BX-K235 | $26,409 |
| Gunshot Residue in a Non-Firearm-Related Detainee Population | Harris County | 2010-DN-BX-K222 | $88,837 |
| Development and Quantitative Evaluation of Steganalysis and Digital Forgery Detection System | Sam Houston State University | 2010-DN-BX-K223 | $331,056 |
| Reducing Uncertainty of Quantifying the Burning Rate of Upholstered Furniture | Southwest Research Institute | 2010-DN-BX-K221 | $497,688 |
| Quantified Assessment of Contextual Information in Latent Friction Ridge Impression Analysis Related to Accuracy and Reliability of Subsequent Examiner Suitability Determinations | Complete Consultants Worldwide, LLC | 2010-DN-BX-K270 | $452,050 |
| Interpretation of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Debris Analysis: Effect of Competitive Adsorption, Development of an Expert System and Assessment of the False Positive/Incorrect Assignment Rate | Marshall University Research Corporation | 2010-DN-BX-K272 | $540,752 |
| Quantified Assessment of AFIS Contextual Information on Accuracy and Reliability of Subsequent Examiner Conclusions | Complete Consultants Worldwide, LLC | 2009-DN-BX-K224 | $348,770 |
| Error Rates for Latent Fingerprinting as a Function of Visual Complexity and Cognitive Difficulty | The Regents of the University of California | 2009-DN-BX-K225 | $866,674 |
| The Information Content of Friction Ridge Impressions as Revealed by Human Experts | Indiana University | 2009-DN-BX-K226 | $424,285 |
| Statistical Assessment of the Probability of Correct Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris Analysis | University of Central Florida | 2009-DN-BX-K227 | $415,992 |
| Application of Spatial Statistics to Latent Print Identifications: Towards Improved Forensic Science Methodologies | Western Oregon University | 2009-DN-BX-K228 | $685,754 |
| Establishing the Quantitative Basis for Sufficiency: Thresholds and Metrics for Friction Ridge Pattern Detail Quality and the Foundation for a Standard | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 2009-DN-BX-K229 | $854,907 |
| Repeatability and Uniqueness of Striations/Impressions in Fired Cartridge Casings Fired in 10 Consecutively Manufactured Slides | Miami Dade County | 2009-DN-BX-K230 | $17,127 |
| Face Annotation at the Macro-scale and the Micro-scale: Tools, Techniques, and Applications in Forensic Identification | University of Notre Dame du Lac | 2009-DN-BX-K231 | $760,256 |
| Forensic Analysis of Ignitable Liquid Fuel Fires in Buildings | Hughes Associates, Inc | 2009-DN-BX-K232 | $392,491 |
| Fundamental Research to Improve the Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, and Validity of Using the ENF Criterion for the Forensic Authentication of Digital Recordings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 2009-DN-BX-K233 | $864,638 |
| Quantifying the Effects of Database Size and Sample Quality on Measures of Individualization Validity and Accuracy in Forensics | George Mason University | 2009-DN-BX-K234 | $974,981 |
| Statistical Evaluation of Torn Duct Tape | University of California-Davis | 2009-DN-BX-K235 | $154,300 |
| Development of Synthetically Generated LEA Signatures to Generalize Probability of False Positive Identification Estimates | Intelligent Automation, Inc | 2009-DN-BX-K236 | $450,969 |
| Experimental Study of the Validity and Reliability of Digital Forensics Tools | University of Central Florida | 2009-DN-BX-K237 | $382,000 |
| Microscopic Analysis of Sharp Force Trauma in Bone and Cartilage | NY City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) | 2009-DN-BX-K238 | $45,078 |
| Manipulative Virtual Tools for Tool Mark Characterization | Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy | 2009-DN-R-119 | $360,000 |
| Investigation of a Novel Approach to Forensic Analysis Using Neutron Imaging Techniques | Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy | 2008-IJ-R-134 | $499,261 |
Notes
[1] This list does not include forensic DNA research and development. Listings of forensic DNA research and development projects funded by NIJ are available at:
- Alternative Genetic Markers
- Compromised DNA Evidence
- Human DNA Quantitation
- General Tools and Information
- Miniaturization and Automation
- Mitochondrial DNA
- Non-Human DNA
- Sperm Detection and Separation
- Y Chromosome
[2] Award amounts include original and supplemental funding.
Date Modified: February 15, 2011
