New Drug Testing Methods for Hair Samples
A challenge in testing hair samples for the presence of a drug is differentiating whether a drug is present due to drug use or environmental contamination. Research from NIJ-funded toxicologists have a possible solution: examining the hair for specific metabolites — drug breakdown products — rather than for the drug itself.
Study Analyzes the Prevalence of Drug-Impaired Driving
In 2022, an estimated 13.6 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs. To determine the prevalence of crashes and fatalities attributed to driving under the influence of drugs, NIJ-funded researchers from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education examined blood samples from over 2,500 cases and create a detailed picture of both Tier I and Tier II drugs that contribute to impaired driving.
Challenging Assumptions About Sex Trafficking
Rare violent events, such as mass shootings or acts of terror, are challenging to study. A new NIJ Journal article offers insights and guidance for gathering better data on these incidents so we can identify patterns and trends and ultimately develop functional tools for law enforcement.
Term of the Month — User-Generated Recordings
User-generated recordings from smartphones, or body-worn and surveillance cameras help investigations by providing firsthand accounts of events. Often key evidence in investigations and legal proceedings, they help corroborate facts and reconstruct timelines. However, because they can be modified, a forensic examiner must establish the validity of these recordings.
Criminal Justice Data Archives
The National Archive of Criminal Justice Data archives data on crime and justice and contains data from over 2,700 curated studies or statistical data series. The website is home to several large-scale datasets, including the National Crime Victimization Survey, FBI's Uniform Crime Reports and National Incident-Based Reporting System, and the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods.
List of Compliant Ballistic Resistant Body Armor
NIJ certifies torso-worn ballistic resistant body armor for law enforcement that complies with the requirements our Compliance Testing Program. If you’re in the law enforcement profession, review a newly updated list of all compliant armor, searching by manufacturing company, gender, threat levels, and other factors.
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CrimeSolutions Program and Practice Ratings
PSYCHOPATHY.COMP (Portugal)
This is an individual compassion-focused, therapy-based intervention adapted from traditional compassionate-focused therapy to reduce psychopathic traits in youth in a correctional setting in Portugal.
Police Body-Worn Cameras (Boston, Massachusetts)
This involves police officers wearing cameras on their uniforms to improve the civility of their interactions with citizens.
Imprisonment for Individuals Who Committed a Drunk Driving Offense (New South Wales, Australia)
This involves prison time for individuals who have committed drunk-driving offenses to reduce their risk of recidivism upon their release.
The First Step Act
The First Step Act of 2018 aims to reform the federal prison system and reduce recidivism. NIJ is working to assess and develop an existing risk and needs assessment system for incarcerated individuals, and develop recommendations regarding effective evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and activities.