Field Documentation of Unusual Post-Mortem Arthropod Activity on Human RemainsRead More
Reports and Publications
NIJ Fingerprint Sourcebook
This National Institute of Justice publication was prepared by SWGFAST in 2011. All 15 chapters are available for free online. This publication sets standards for fingerprint identification and addresses issues such as bias and reliability of the technique
Identifying the Culprit Assessing Eyewitness Identification (2014)
The National Academy of Sciences issued a landmark report evaluating the scientific research on memory and eyewitness identification in October 2014. The report provides recommendations for improving police identification procedures and for how courts should handle eyewitness evidence. The report is available for purchase or free download.
Identifying the Culprit Assessing Eyewitness Identification (2014)Read More
Guidelines on Mobile Device Forensics
NIST has published these guidelines that establishes methods for preserving and processing digital information on mobile devices.
Post Mortem: Death Investigation in America
Investigative series compiled by Pro Publica, in partnership investigation with NPR and Frontline that looks at the nation’s 2,300 coroner and medical examiner offices and reports on problems identified with the system.
Recognizing When a Child’s Injury or Illness Is Caused by Abuse
US DOJ guide to conducting an investigation of child injuries.
Recognizing When a Child’s Injury or Illness Is Caused by AbuseRead More
DOJ Memorandum – Eyewitness Identification: Procedures for Conducting Photo Arrays
2017 memo from the US DOJ which endorses the 2014 NAS Report, Identifying the Culprit: Assessing Eyewitness ldentification, stating: “The heads of the Department’s law enforcement components should review these procedures and, to the extent necessary, update their own internal policies to ensure that they are consistent with the procedures described in this document. In …
DOJ Memorandum – Eyewitness Identification: Procedures for Conducting Photo ArraysRead More
Therapeutic and toxic blood concentrations of nearly 1,000 drugs and other xenobiotics
This 2014 article lists the therapeutic, toxic, and fatal blood drug concentration levels for many controlled and non-controlled substances.
Therapeutic and toxic blood concentrations of nearly 1,000 drugs and other xenobioticsRead More
North Carolina Defender Manual: Chapter 2, Capacity to Proceed
John Rubin & Alyson Grine, NORTH CAROLINA DEFENDER MANUAL, VOL. 1 PRETRIAL (2d ed. 2013). Discusses in detail the standards for capacity to proceed, how attorneys can recognize signs of impairment, the ethical concerns with questioning capacity, and the potential benefits and harms of raising an incapacity question.
North Carolina Defender Manual: Chapter 2, Capacity to ProceedRead More
The Limitations and Admissibility of Using Historical Cellular Site Data to Track the Location of a Cellular Phone
by Aaron Blank, XVIII RICH. J.L. & TECH. 3 (2011). Discusses how a cellular network works, how a cell phone tracks its location, limitations on cell site data as a tracking method, admissibility of cell site data, and constitutional implications for seizure of cell site data. Provides practical suggestions concerning admission and exclusion of this …
May 6, 2013 DOJ Letter
Letter from the DOJ regarding the results of a US DOJ and FBI review of lab reports and testimony of FBI lab examiners in the Willie Manning case finds that testimony stating that a specific gun fired a specific bullet “to the exclusion of all other guns in the world” is not scientifically supported.
The Handbook of Forensic Services (revised 2013)
U.S. Department of Justice, FBI Laboratory Division. Provides guidance and procedures for methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence and describes the forensic examinations performed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division and Operational Technology Division.
Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (2013)
Developed by the National Forensic Science Technology Center and is available for free download.
Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (2013)Read More
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers
2013 NIST handbook offers guidance for individuals involved in the collection, examination, tracking, packaging, storing and disposition of biological evidence
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence HandlersRead More
National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
U.S. Department of Justice protocol focusing on the immediate response of medical and other professionals in reference to medical treatment and evidence gathering from sexual assault or abuse victims. It addresses the role of advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other responders in the medical forensic exam process.
National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic ExaminationsRead More