The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence — Recent and upcoming activities (Commentary/Update)

Abstract

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) created the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) in 2007 to support its research, development, testing, and evaluation. Since 2011, the FTCoE has comprised RTI International and its academic partners: the University of North Texas Health Science Center Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics and the Center for Human Identifi cation; Duquesne University Center for Forensic Science and Law; and Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Forensic Science. The goals of the FTCoE are to determine technology needs; develop technology program plans to address those needs; provide solutions; demonstrate, test, evaluate, and transition potential solutions into practice; develop and update technology guidelines; and build capacity and conduct outreach. Services are customized to support forensic service providers such as crime laboratories, corrections and court agencies, and other criminal justice practitioners to combat crime. Through these efforts, the FTCoE increases the capacity of state and local law enforcement to effectively and professionally serve society in matters involving forensic science, crime, and public safety