National Institute of Justice
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development and evaluation agency of the United States Department of Justice. NIJ partners with State and local practitioners and policymakers to identify social science research and technology needs, with a particular emphasis on terrorism, violent crime, drugs and crime, cost-effectiveness, and community-based efforts ? to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ also works to develop affordable and effective tools and technologies to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. In addition to sponsoring research and development and technology assistance, NIJ evaluates programs, policies, and technologies. NIJ communicates its research and evaluation findings through conferences and print and electronic media.
Notable research areas include:
- Standards for police bullet-proof vests
- Interoperable communications for law enforcement, first responders and public safety personnel
- DNA initiative for solving cold cases and protect the innocent from wrongful prosecution
- Crime mapping and analysis (e.g. COMPSTAT)
Other program areas: crime control and prevention, including policing; crime mapping and analysis, drugs and crime; justice systems and offender behavior, including corrections; violence and victimization; communications and information technologies; critical incident response; investigative and forensic sciences, including DNA; less lethal technologies; officer protection; education and training technologies; testing and standards; technology assistance to law enforcement and corrections agencies; field testing of promising programs; and international crime control.
