Page 1 of 12

NIJ Forensic Science Technology Working Group Operation 

Requirements, 2015

Updated based on discussion at the Forensic Science TWG meeting held September 

15-16, 2015

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Software tools for mixture interpretation of casework 

samples. X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased IT knowledge and/or software tools for 

improving DNA data flow and management, enhancing 

analyst productivity, quality control, and increasing 

laboratory information security.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

The ability to differentiate, physically separate, and 

selectively analyze DNA and/or cells from multiple 

donors or multiple tissue/cell types contributing to 

mixtures, with minimal or no sample loss.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Physical separation of cells. X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Physical separation of sperm/ epithelial cells, typical of 

sexual assault case evidence, with minimal or no 

sample loss.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

The ability to quickly detect biological materials/fluid 

at a crime scene or on evidence taken from a crime 

scene, and simultaneously determine what type of 

biological fluid/cell type with minimal or no 

destruction of evidence sample(s).

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Optimization of DNA evidence collection techniques 

and/or devices.

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased DNA recovery of elution and/or extraction 

methods.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Alternate instrumental platform that can perform 

genetic typing. X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
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Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Successful analysis of forensic evidentiary samples in a 

fully automated sample in answer out system where 

the “answer” would provide CODIS STR profile at a 

minimum. Other information might include biological 

fluid type, amount of DNA present, mixture 

interpretation, and/or mtDNA sequence analysis, YSTR 

profile, SNP information, etc.)

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

The ability to detect/identify biological material that is 

invisible to the eye or alternate light sources (i.e. 

material left on touched objects), having sufficient 

quantity for downstream DNA analysis.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Improved methods for examining touch DNA X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Expert System for Forensic Evidence Analysis (including 

mixtures) X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Minimally-/Non-Destructive rapid screening to 

characterize and determine most probative 

sample/stain for DNA analysis (in field and/or in lab).

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

A better sexual assault evidence collection kit (to 

improve rapid rape kit screening and processing). X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Rapid Sexual Assault Kit screening method X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better information and understanding of what 

processes are being used in the field, specifics of 

workflow and processes throughout the US, and 

potential/observed effects that upstream treatments 

have on downstream DNA analyses.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better and more affordable materials to reduce DNA 

loss/damage during transfer/storage. Increased 

knowledge & understanding of stability of DNA or 

other biological materials during storage.

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Rapid, affordable and minimally-/non-destructive 

automated test to detect, locate, and/or confirm the 

presence of semen/sperm in a dried stain and/or swab.

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Age determination of stains (time since deposition) X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 3 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Ability to differentiate and “tag” a cell, identify and 

associate the biological source and other information, 

and follow the “tag” through to profile generation.

X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Software tool designed to estimate the number of 

contributors, based solely on the data with no 

hypothesis input requirement from the user.

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

A dynamic PCR system that performs quantitation, 

normalization, and amplification in one instrument 

phase.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Reduce or eliminate laboratory contamination. 

Method or devices to remove contaminants from 

commercial products (e.g., pipette tips, tubes, 

reagents, etc.), for nontraditional methods to monitor 

the presence of contamination (e.g., changes in 

instrument sensitivity), and for decontaminating 

laboratories.

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Studies of the mechanisms involved in DNA damage 

(including elements/metals that interfere with DNA 

analysis), and the development of new approaches and 

novel methods for overcoming damage and/or DNA 

repair (Identification of damaged DNA and repair 

mechanisms)

X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Novel methods for DNA profiling (including non-PCR 

based methods for performing forensic DNA analysis). X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Non- or minimally-destructive method for DNA 

isolation X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better methods for quantitation that provide more 

information to make decisions regarding downstream 

analysis methods.

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Knowledge and understanding about 

mathematical/statistical methods to assess the 

significance of finding a DNA profile at the activity 

level.

X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

More advanced computational methods for forensic 

laboratory use (e.g., application of machine learning, 

big data analysis, etc.)

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Statistical methods to interpret DNA sequences that 

are generated from mixtures and mosaicisms. X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
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Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Y-STR database coordination and management. X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Development of a Y-STR computer program for 

mixture interpretation and statistical analysis X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increase in the success rate of obtaining DNA profiles 

from compromised (damaged) DNA evidence X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Evaluation of Next Generation Sequencing systems 

(instruments, kits and software) for forensic 

applications

X X

Forensic

Biology/

DNA

Ethical and policy determination for Next Generation 

Sequencing data. X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Develop tools for mixture interpretation for nonstandard DNA (e.g., mtDNA, Y chromosome markers, X 

chromosome markers, SNP markers, and other nonCODIS markers) using new technologies

X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Improve sample processing time for questioned 

samples X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Further development of alternative marker population 

databases (e.g. whole genome mtDNA, Y chromosome 

markers, X chromosome markers, SNP markers, copy 

number variants, etc.).

X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Perform studies required to discover the presence of 

linkage issues in combining alternative markers and 

traditional autosomal markers

X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Further increase the discrimination power using 

genomic tools other than human DNA X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Resolution of cases containing complex kinships X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Body fluid/ cell type identification at the time of 

genetic analysis X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Physical characteristics testing X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 5 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Kinship Software X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better understanding of which tissue types collected 

from cadavers are best for DNA analysis X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased accessibility of mtDNA testing to forensic 

laboratories. X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Identical twin differentiation X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Species determination. X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Additional polymerases for use in Polymerase Chain 

Reaction (PCR) amplification X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Long term storage of DNA extracts. X X X

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Access to methods/SOPs/spectra for use in identifying 

compounds of forensic interest. X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Sufficient quantity of reference materials (to include 

quantitative samples) for use in forensic labs (to 

include parent drugs and metabolites).

X X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Faster/easier ways to effectively and accurately 

separate/identify isomers or metabolites of 

forensically relevant compounds to the appropriate 

degree.

X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Faster, more efficient, streamlined processes for 

effective sample detection, collection, handling, and 

analysis/interpretation, including research to 

determine source of bottlenecks, as well as to address 

policy matters pertaining to case processing (e.g. 

scientific basis for two orthogonal tests).

X X X X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology
Page 6 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Development and application of emerging or current 

instrumentation being applied to method development 

(e.g., microspectrophotometer, using the second 

derivative, thermal analysis coupled with FTIR or GCMS, Fast-GC and 2D-GC). 

X X X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Better Laboratory Information Management Systems 

(LIMS), particularly with respect to systems 

appropriate for use by medical examiner offices with 

internal toxicology laboratories.

X X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Standardized minimum acceptance criteria for 

analytical data generated for case samples. X X

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Research and organization of existing data on isomers 

of commonly encountered controlled substances, 

including synthetic substituted cathinones and 

synthetic cannabinoids.

X X X

Controlled 

Substances

Available published validated methods for extraction

and quantitation of THC from various substrates (plant 

materials, edible material, etc.)

X X

Controlled 

Substances

Research to establish most effective, efficient schemes 

for processing controlled substance evidence. X

Controlled 

Substances

Landscape survey of case/sample acceptance policies 

across the nation. X X

Controlled 

Substances

Better scheduling/legislation regarding emerging 

drugs, including differentiation of legal versus scientific 

conclusions.

X

Controlled 

Substances

Forensically-relevant approaches for statistical 

interpretation of evidence (e.g. postmortem toxicology 

levels).

X Toxicology

Research on correlation of blood and oral fluid values, 

especially in regards to DUID interpretation, including 

differences between point of contact devices and lab 

confirmation.

X X Toxicology

Research to examine drug (esp. prescription drugs) 

levels pre- and post-embalming. X Toxicology

Research to identify propensity of particular drugs for 

postmortem redistribution, to determine value of 

clinical data for interpretation of postmortem results.

X Toxicology

Evaluation of BrAC instrument platforms to be 

disseminated on a national scale. X Toxicology
Page 7 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Scientific foundations for the evaluation of evidence in 

support of qualified and definitive conclusions.

X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Forensically relevant approaches to the statistical 

interpretation of evidence.

X X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Determination of accuracy for forensic conclusions, 

including potential sources of error.

X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Support for standards development and validation of 

forensic methods.

X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of varied types of technical review and 

verification of casework.

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Novel and/or improved evidence recognition, 

collection, and visualization tools and analytical 

instrumentation.

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of sequential evidence processing methods. X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Fundamental understanding of how environmental 

factors can affect evidence.

X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of the effects of training, accreditation and 

certification on the accuracy of conclusions.

X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Understanding of the cognitive processes involved in 

pattern recognition as applied to forensic 

identification.

X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Quantitative methods of analysis to augment visual 

trace evidence examinations. X X X X Trace Evidence

Determination of the discrimination power of 

microscopical hair examinations combined with 

mtDNA analysis.

X Trace Evidence

Identification and characterization of nanomaterials in 

evidentiary materials.

X X X X Trace Evidence

Development of automated microscopical comparison 

of human hair. X X X X Trace Evidence
Page 8 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Construction of new and updating of existing 

databases with properties of new materials.

X X Trace Evidence

Optimal methods and materials for the preservation, 

visualization, recovery and comparison of toolmarks in 

cartilage and bone.

X X X Tool Marks

Source attribution of drug tablets by examination of 

manufacturing toolmarks.

X X Tool Marks

Fundamental understanding of blood properties, 

droplet formation, droplet flight and the resultant 

formation of bloodstain patterns.

X X

Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Understanding of the interaction of blood with fabrics 

and textiles.

X

Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Understanding of the effects of ventilation on fire 

damage and patterns.

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Characterization of electrical system response as a 

means to study fire progression.

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Repeatability and reproducibility of test measurements 

of large-scale structure fires.

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Adequate materials property data inputs for accurate 

computer fire models.

X X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Evaluation of incident heat flux profiles to walls and 

neighboring items in support of fire model validation.

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

National footwear reference collection database of 

known and crime scene impressions.

X Footwear

Understanding of the morphological variability on the 

shape of the foot and the resulting shoeless impression 

[barefoot and socked].

X Footwear

Quantitative assessment of intra- and inter-person 

handwriting and handprinting variation.

X X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Understanding of the kinematics of handwriting. X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Comparative evaluation of automated handwriting 

identification systems.

X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Methods or techniques for linking printed documents 

to printers.

X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination
Page 9 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Development of improved procedures and 

technologies for evidence detection and recovery. x x x

Crime Scene 

Examination

Difficulty in determining the cause and manner of 

death of infants and children, distingushing between 

natural, undetermined, accidental and non-accidental, 

in some cases, in suddent fatal events and chronic 

pathology.

x x x

Forensic 

Pathology

Development or enhancement of unidentified 

decedent system(s) with weighting capability for 

antemortem and postmortem comparisons with the 

goal of providing a ranked list of “best matches” to 

effectively and efficiently identify potential candidates 

or hits.

X X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Potential loss of forensic evidence due to decedent 

recovery, transport and handling from scene to 

morgue or what evidence is being obscured by 

performing evidence recovery prior to removal from 

the scene.

X X X

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Further development of effective biometric (e.g. 

fingerprints and facial recognition) capture techniques 

or devices for decedents, including decedents 

exhibiting various postmortem artifacts, both at the 

scene and in the morgue.

X X X X

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Further studies to update anthropological 

morphometric, and growth and development datasets,

and expanding underrepresented populations, 

applicable to assessment of biological profile.

X X

Forensic 

Anthropology

Further research studies on force measurement, 

fracture mechanics and modeling of injuries ( to 

include bone tissue and soft tissue) to improve 

accuracy of trauma analysis and quantify error rates 

associated with trauma interpretation.

X

Forensic 

Pathology
Page 10 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Further studies of innovative methods or technologies 

to determine precise time since death. X X X

Medicolegal

Death 

Investigations

Development or improvement of imaging technologies 

for injury detection. X X X

Forensic 

Pathology

Development or improvement of imaging technologies 

for evidence detection.

X X X

Crime Scene 

Examination

Development of rapid and accessible (affordable) 

imaging technologies (CT, MRI, other whole-body 

imaging instruments) for use in postmortem 

examination.

X X X X

Forensic 

Pathology

Improved methods or devices that are economical, 

field portable, and user-friendly to easily locate 

clandestine graves.

X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

There is a potential for bias in forensic analyses, and 

the forensic community is largely unaware of its 

impact and desires understanding and quantification 

when possible.

X X

Multidisciplinary 

Forensic 

Disciplines

Development of a multidisciplinary likelihood ratio 

model for use in personal identification, based on 

population frequencies of traits (anthropological, 

friction ridge, radiological, odontological, pathological, 

biological, etc) to reduce subjectivity in decedent 

identifications.

X

Forensic 

Anthropology

Development of methods for identifying geographic 

region or country of origin of unidentified remains.

X X X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Development or enhancement of rapid, accurate and 

nondestructive preliminary tests at the crime scene to 

gain immediate investigative probative value. These 

technological developments would provide 

investigative leads while confirmatory results are 

pending. 

X X X X

Crime Scene 

Examination
Page 11 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Development or improvement of technologies or

methods to capture 3-dimensional information at the 

scene and in the lab. Many rapidly developing 3-D 

imaging technologies could enhance forensic science 

purposes (investigations, analyses and reconstruction).

X X

Crime Scene 

Examination

Further research on bone healing rates and the 

quantification of healing rate differences by age and by

bone element.

X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Increased knowledge and understanding of bone tissue 

at the micro- and molecular levels for forensic science 

applications. Furthermore, additional education and 

training in bone histological methods and 

interpretation for forensic applications is needed.

X X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Further research into the effects of not always 

completing a full postmortem investigation. Is there an 

unknown error rate in diagnosis of cause and manner 

of death due to the necessity to decide field 

investigation vs. no-field investigation, autopsy vs. notautopsy, external exam vs. autopsy, and the roles of 

ancillary tests (toxicology, histology, microbiology), etc.

X X X X

Forensic 

Pathology

Development of a web-based dental radiograph 

repository to compare postmortem radiographs for 

identification.

X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Development of secure system for data exchange from 

scene to lab. X X

Crime Scene 

Examination, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Improved analysis and interpretation of sharp force 

trauma injuries. X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Improved analysis and interpretation of blast/explosive 

trauma injuries. X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology
Page 12 of 12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2015

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Development or improvement of a case management 

system for easy implementation into the medical 

examiner/coroner office, without requiring 

modification.

X X

Forensic 

Pathology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations