Justice Today

The scientific basis of several aspects of forensic evidence was first called into question by the 2009 National Research Council report. That report had an immediate impact on law enforcement, crime labs, courtrooms, and the broader scientific community. 

David Stoney, Chief Scientist and head of Stoney Forensics in Chantilly, VA, and Greg Dutton, program manager and physical scientist with NIJ’s Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences, join host Jim Dawson to discuss the concerted effort in many fields of forensics — ballistics, trace evidence, fingerprints, and more — to improve the science underlying forensic evidence in the wake of the 2009 report. Read the transcript.

Listen to Part One of the conversation. 

Research and Resources from the National Institute of Justice:

• Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009 NRC report)
• The Slow but Steady March Towards a More Reliable Forensic Science

Other Resources:

• The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC)

During this episode, three Black law enforcement leaders discuss why they walked 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama—retracing the route of a famous 1965 civil rights march—and how their journey changed their professional and personal lives.

The scientific basis of several aspects of forensic evidence was first called into question by the 2009 National Research Council report. That report had an immediate impact on law enforcement, crime labs, courtrooms, and the broader scientific community. 

David Stoney, Chief Scientist and head of Stoney Forensic in Chantilly, VA, and Greg Dutton, program manager and physical scientist with NIJ’s Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences, join host Jim Dawson to discuss the concerted effort in many fields of forensics — ballistics, trace evidence, fingerprints, and more — to improve the science underlying forensic evidence in the wake of the 2009 report. Read the transcript.

Listen to Part Two of the conversation. 

Research and Resources from the National Institute of Justice:

• Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009 NRC report)
• The Slow but Steady March Towards a More Reliable Forensic Science

Other Resources:

• The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC)

NIJ Director Dr. Nancy La Vigne joins the show to interview Dr. Marie Garcia, Director of NIJ’s Criminal Justice Systems Division and a former NIJ graduate research fellow. They discuss the application process, Marie’s experience as a fellow while at Temple University, and advice for future applicants. Read the transcript. 

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• NIJ FY23 Graduate Research Fellowship | Solicitation
• Graduate Research Fellowship Program | FAQ 

Detective Kari Johnson of the Denver, Colorado Police Department and Dr. Angela Williamson, the Forensics Unit Supervisor at the Bureau of Justice Assistance, describe how decades of determined police work and cutting-edge forensic science identified Joe Michael Ervin as the person who assaulted and murdered four women between 1978 and 1981. Read the transcript.

NIJ Social Science Analyst Yunsoo Park shares her knowledge about elder abuse, a widespread issue in the U.S. and around the world, particularly polyvictimization — the experience of a range of different types of abuse and maltreatment. As much as 11% of community-residing older adults experienced some form of abuse or mistreatment in the past year. Yunsoo discusses risk factors, difficulties in defining and studying elder abuse polyvictimization, and strategies for intervention and prevention. Stacy Lee Reynolds, a Communications Assistant with NIJ, hosts. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• Multidisciplinary Team Works to Reduce Preventable Deaths of Older Adults
• Prevalence of Elder Polyvictimization in the United States: Data From the National Elder Mistreatment Study
• Exploring Elder Financial Exploitation Victimization: Identifying Unique Risk Profiles and Factors to Enhance Detection, Prevention and Intervention
• Defining Late-Life Poly-victimization and Identifying Associated Mental and Physical Health Symptoms and Mortality

Human trafficking is an issue without a simple solution, but research on this problem is helping victims and developing tools and information to help better understand, prevent, and respond to trafficking. NIJ Scientist Mary Carlton joins host Josh Mondoro, Communications Assistant at NIJ, for a discussion about this research. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• Federally Backed Human Trafficking Task Force Model Yields Progress, and Opportunities for Continued Growth
•  Identification of Effective Strategies to Disrupt Recruitment of Victims in Human Trafficking: Qualitative Data, Systems Modeling, Survivors and Law Enforcement
• For Human Trafficking Survivors, Justice Is More About Healing and Preventing Future Trafficking

Senior Science Writer Maya Pilkington is joined by “the Paintball Lady” – Dr. Katherine Scafide. Dr. Scafide shares how her research on detecting bruises and skills as a forensic nurse help pediatric and adult assault and domestic violence victims by providing clear documentation. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from the National Institute of Justice:

• Improving Bruise Detection with Alternate Light
• Improving the Forensic Documentation of Injuries through Alternate Light: A Researcher-Practitioner Partnership
• Analysis of Alternative Light in the Detection and Visibility of Cutaneous Bruises
• A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations

Social media has become a potent tool for spreading extremist beliefs and promoting violent extremism. NIJ Social Science analyst Aisha Javed Qureshi joins writer-editor Paul Haskins for a conversation about how scientific research is helping law enforcement and other agencies understand and address this growing concern. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• Domestic Extremists and Social Media: Study Finds Similarities, Differences in Web Habits of Those Engaged in Hate Crimes Vs. Violent Extremism
• Radicalization on the Internet: Virtual Extremism in the US from 2012-2017
• An Assessment of Extremist Groups Use of Web Forums, Social Media, and Technology to Enculturate and Radicalize Individuals to Violence
• Social Learning and Social Control in the Off and Online Pathways to Hate and Extremist Violence

Reflecting back on Recovery Month, the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA's) Betsi Griffith discusses BJA's work in this area and some of the lessons learned from it.

In January 2021, NIBRS became the national standard for law enforcement crime data reporting. The transition to NIBRS offers significant improvements to data on crimes known to law enforcement, providing detailed information on the characteristics of crime incidents, victims, and persons arrested.

NIJ communications assistant Josh Mondoro explores novel psychoactive substances with NIJ scientist Frances Scott. She explains what NPSs are, current research in the field, and the practical impact of this research for law enforcement and policymakers. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• NPS Discovery and the Hunt for New Drugs of Abuse
• NIJ awards for novel psychoactive substances
• NIJ website

Other Resources:

• NPS Discovery
• NIST NPS hub

During this episode, hear from David Gibbs as he explains how he escaped an addiction to alcohol and drugs that began when he was eight years old.

During this episode, Doreen Schenkenberger describes how she recovered from alcoholism that began at age 13 and now leads a statewide organization that assists others on that same path.

To commemorate the annual observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims on September 25, Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose speaks to Roberta Roper about the murder of her beloved daughter, Stephanie,  in this Justice Today podcast episode. Recalling the tragic event and its aftermath, Roberta shares the challenges she and her family faced while trying to navigate the justice system. In response to her experience, and in memory of her daughter’s life, Roberta founded the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation, now known as the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center.

Hear Roberta’s inspiring story and how the crime victims’ field has changed in the past four decades and learn about the ongoing work that needs to be done to help all victims of crime find their justice.

NIJ Director Dr. Nancy La Vigne shares how her extensive experience in criminal justice research shapes her vision for NIJ under her tenure. Beth Pearsall, Managing Editor of the NIJ Journal, hosts the conversation. Read the transcript.

Reading and Resources from the National Institute of Justice:

• About the NIJ Director
• NIJ website

Today, across the U.S., there are 500 specialized courts designed to address the needs of military veterans. Judge Robert Russell explains how he founded the first one. Read the transcript.

This podcast episode was produced by and discusses the work of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Gun violence may be the most discussed topic surrounding school safety, but it is by no means the only one. Bullying, school climate, and mental health affect students across the country, and are some of the many other issues that NIJ researches. Mary Poulin Carlton, an NIJ social science analyst, joins host Paul Haskins to discuss these and other important school safety issues. Read the transcript.

This podcast episode was produced by and discusses the work of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• Student Threat Assessment: Virginia Study Finds Progress, Areas to Improve 
• Anti-Bullying Intervention for Teachers Shows Positive, Short-Term Outcomes 
• What Do the Data Reveal About Violence in Schools?
• NIJ-supported research on school safety
• NIJ website

NIJ scientist Tracey Johnson joins science writer Sarah Michaud in this episode. They discuss Rapid DNA technology, and Tracey explains the complexities of this technology — its pitfalls and its possibilities. Read the transcript.
This podcast episode was produced by and discusses the work of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Reading and Resources from NIJ:

• NIJ-sponsored forensic rapid DNA research
• Using Forensic Intelligence To Combat Serial and Organized Violent Crimes 
• NIJ website

Other Resources:

• Rapid DNA – General Information
• National Rapid DNA Booking Operational Procedures Manual
• Non-CODIS Rapid DNA Considerations and Best Practices for Law Enforcement Use
• Results of the 2018 Rapid DNA Maturity Assessment
• Letter to the editor of FSI Genetics

Robin Engel, a nationally respected criminologist and professor at the University of Cincinnati, discusses her research and experience leading police reform efforts across the United States. Read the transcript.

This podcast episode was produced by and discusses the work of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.