U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Funding & Awards
 Validation of a Confirmatory Proteomic Mass Spectrometry Body Fluid Assay for Use in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories
Award Information
Awardee
              NEW YORK CITY OFF OF CHEIF MED EXAM
Award #
              15PNIJ-21-GG-02712-SLFO
Funding Category
              Competitive Discretionary
Location
                    NEW YORK, NY
Congressional District
              12
Status
              Open
Funding First Awarded
              2021
Total funding (to date)
              $105,592
Original Solicitation
              Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories, Fiscal Year 2021
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2021, $105,592)
Abstract
DNA STR identity testing has become foundational to forensic investigations.  It is scientifically sound, statistically rigorous and above all confirmatory.  Yet as this technology becomes increasingly more sensitive - able to identify an individual from only a few cells - the need to know the source of an individual’s DNA profile (blood, saliva or semen) is becoming more important.  For example, the caretaker of a toddler or incapacitated patient accused of sexual assault could justifiably claim that their DNA profile would be expected on a victim they bathe, toilet and dress, and their profile is from shedding skin, direct, or even secondary skin cell transfer.  These same arguments could be made in numerous forensic investigations, e.g. date rape or homicides when the victim and suspect know each other.  Knowing that a profile came from semen gives context to a case that goes beyond DNA STR identification.  Prosecutors have begun to push back against forensic laboratories that have eliminated serology testing, stating that the source of DNA is important to the outcome of their cases (see letter of support from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Appendix 2).  However, current serology methods, with the exception of microscopic identification of sperm, are presumptive, and do not carry the scientific weight, and therefore evidentiary significance, of confirmatory tests.  To address this issue, i.e. establish a confirmatory body fluid assay, NIJ has spent >$13 million dollars over the past 14 years on more than thirty research grants (Appendix 3) aimed at identifying a method that can be used on a routine basis in any forensic laboratory.  We, the NYC OCME, have received two such basic research grants and have developed a confirmatory body fluid assay ready for validation and introduction into routine casework, not just here, but at any forensic laboratory throughout the nation.  Indeed, in cooperation with NIJ’s Forensic Laboratory Needs Technical Working Group (FLN-TWG) we published a technical white paper this year (Implementation Strategies: Proteomic Mass Spectrometry for Biology Fluid Identification, Appendix 4) to aid other laboratories establish this test in their labs.  Here we propose to perform a thorough and statistically rigorous validation (as per NIJ guidelines, Appendix 5) of our assay.  Results will be shared with other forensic laboratories, and published in a peer reviewed journal - as that will be required for the inevitable Frye/Daubert hearings that accompany the introduction of new techniques in the judicial system.

  
Date Created: October 22, 2021
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              Current Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Forthcoming Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Expired Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
    
      
            
            
            
      Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
    
      
            
            
            
      Fellowship & Student Programs
    
      
            
            
            
      Travel Scholarships
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ Challenge ProgramSimilar Awards
        
                      Climate, Culture, and Correction Officer Wellness
                  Developing a Portable and Fast Opioid Assessment Tool for Improved Field Decision-Making
                  Evaluation of the Luxon Ion Source for Rapid Screening in Forensic Laboratories
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov