Credit: NIJ Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has developed and released its Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan for 2022 through 2026, which details priorities and objectives intended to address opportunities and challenges faced by the forensic science community.
The report includes five overall research priorities, with objectives/actions for each goal.
“Only through research can we continue to develop accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence and strengthen the scientific foundations of forensic practice,” the report reads. “Applied research and development…may not always provide immediate solutions but can move the state of the art forward and optimize the implementation of available technologies.”
The five strategic priorities are: 1) advance applied R&D in forensic science; 2) support foundational research; 3) maximize the impact of forensic science R&D; 4) cultivate a diverse, highly skilled forensic science workforce; 5) coordinate across the community of practice.
Priority No. 1: Advance applied R&D
The first strategic priority is the longest, with a handful more objectives than its counterparts. While that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the most important, the implications on the forensic laboratory community—specifically—are vast. Therefore, this article will mainly focus on this strategic priority, before providing a bulleted summary of the remaining objectives.
Objective 1: Application of existing technologies and methods
This goal focuses on evidence, specifically finding tools, technologies and methods that maximize the information gained from evidence while improving identification, collection and integrity. The report specifically mentions imaging technologies to better visualize evidence, as well as more robust field technologies.
Objective 2: Novel technologies and methods
Identification and quantitation of forensically relevant analytes, such as seized drugs and gunshot residue, is included in this goal, as well as research into differentiation techniques for biological evidence like body fluids. Keeping up with the rapid pace of innovation, the report also includes the investigation of “nontraditional” aspects of evidence, such as the microbiome and nanomaterials.
Objective 3: Methods to differentiate evidence from complex matrices or conditions
The forensic anthropology part of forensic science plays a vital role in society, recognized in this report with the inclusion of “identification of clandestine graves” as an actionable goal.
Objective 4: Technologies that expediate delivery of actionable information
Forensic professionals at the scene versus forensic professionals in the lab experience different challenges. Oftentimes, field methods are lacking in comparison with the lab. Thus, the NIJ is supporting R&D into technologies and workflows for operations at the scene. Expanded triaging tools and enhanced data aggregation, integration and analysis across datasets are two additional goals.
Objective 5: Automated tools to support examiners’ conclusions
Software enhancements are the main focus of this goal. The analysis of complex DNA mixtures has a long, complicated history that many in the field are working to improve. The same could be said—especially after PCAST—of computational methods that support pattern evidence, like bloodstain and toolmarks.
Objective 6: Standard criteria for analysis and interpretation
This objective puts likelihood ratios and other methods that express the weight of evidence, such as verbal scales, into the spotlight. The report seeks to establish standard methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Objective 7: Practices and protocols
Optimization across all disciplines is the focus here—analytical workflows, reports, testimony, lab results, lab systems, etc. The report also suggests the establishment of connectivity standards for laboratory information management systems.
Objective 8: Databases and reference collections
This goal centers around the development of next-generation databases—those that are “accessible, searchable, interoperable, diverse, curated and support the statistical interpretation of the weight of evidence.”
Priority No. 2: Support foundational research
This section focuses on assessing the fundamental scientific basis of forensic analysis.
“If forensic methods are demonstrated to be valid and the limits of those methods are well understood, then investigators, prosecutors, courts and juries can make well-informed decisions,” reads the report. In many cases, this could help prevent wrongful convictions.
Objectives include:
- Foundational validity and reliability of forensic methods
- Decision analysis
- Understanding the limitations of evidence
- Stability, persistence and transfer of evidence
Priority No. 3: Maximize R&D impact
The full potential of R&D is only reached if the results are put into practice. For this to happen, the products of research and development—including peer-reviewed publications, databases, patents, software and more—must reach the community.
“Implementation of new technology and methods into practice can be aided by NIJ stewardship, in partnership with researchers and practitioners. This can ultimately result in better accuracy, increased efficiency, and improved workflows,” says the report.
Objectives include:
- Disseminate research products to communities of interest
- Support the implementation of methods and technologies
- Assess the impact of NIJ forensic science programs
- Examine the role and value of forensic science in the criminal justice system
Priority No. 4: Diversify workforce
The NIJ says it supports the development of current and future forensic science researchers and practitioners through laboratory and research experience.
“Student engagement and the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion within the forensic science workforce are critical elements of this effort,” reads the report.
Objectives include:
- Foster the next generation of forensic science researchers
- Facilitate research within public laboratories
- Advance the forensic science workforce
- Implement a process for assessment, outreach, and sustainability for diversity and inclusion
Priority No. 5: Coordinate across the community of practice
As in most industries, collaboration is key. Forensic science is certainly not an outlier there, as overall research highly benefits from scientists working across academia, industry and government sectors.
Objectives include:
- Assess and address the needs of the field
- Engage federal partners to maximize resources
- Facilitate information sharing
Summary report data courtesy of the NIJ.