U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Strengthen science. Advance justice.

Learn more about NIJ

NIJ Updates Tagline and Logo

NIJ has updated our tagline to “Advancing Justice Through Science,” which reflects our mission to support the field in applying fresh knowledge gained through research. Research can make a positive difference in peoples’ lives and community safety, and we will continue connecting with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and others interested in evidence-based advancement of our justice system.

Detecting and Identifying Explosives After an Attack

Evidence recovered from a terror-related explosion can be critical in identifying, charging, and convicting those who perpetrated the crime, ultimately preventing further attacks. A new NIJ Journal article presents findings from two NIJ-funded studies that helped expand the investigative toolkit for developing leads.

Exhibitor Showcase for the National Research Conference

We’re accepting submissions from research-based organizations to exhibit products, technology, or services at NIJ’s 2024 National Research Conference, taking place September 16 - 18 in Pittsburgh. This is an opportunity for exhibitors to present offerings with a direct application to data and research relevant to safety and justice. Space is limited.

Term of the Month - Drone-Delivered Contraband in Correctional Facilities

Contraband entering correctional facilities by drones, or unmanned aircraft systems, poses a significant threat to safety and security. Detection technology is rapidly evolving to help agencies better defend against drone delivery of drugs, weapons, cell phones, and other contraband.

Criminal Justice Data Archives

The National Archive of Criminal Justice Data archives data on crime and justice and contains data from over 2,700 curated studies or statistical data series. The website is home to several large-scale datasets, including the National Crime Victimization Survey, FBI's Uniform Crime Reports and National Incident-Based Reporting System, and the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods.

List of Compliant Ballistic Resistant Body Armor
Cali9/iStock (see reuse policy).

List of Compliant Ballistic Resistant Body Armor

NIJ certifies torso-worn ballistic resistant body armor for law enforcement that complies with the requirements our Compliance Testing Program. If you’re in the law enforcement profession, review a newly updated list of all compliant armor, searching by manufacturing company, gender, threat levels, and other factors.

Listen, Learn, Inform - About NIJ

Find funding opportunities

Find funding opportunities

NIJ awards research, development, testing, and evaluation grants.
Read the latest

Read the latest

Review a list of publications and articles from both NIJ and the researchers we fund.
Register for events

Register for events

Check out a list of our upcoming events. If you don't see anything of interest, we also offer a number of recorded, on-demand event and training opportunities.
Browse all topics

Browse all topics

Find articles and other information on a wide variety of criminal justice topics.

CrimeSolutions Program and Practice Ratings

Promoting First Relationships for Native Families

This is a home-visiting program to foster positive caregiver–child relationships in Native families.

Impact of the Wraparound Program for Dually Involved Youth (Florida) on Youth Arrests

The program is an intensive case management model for providing services to youths simultaneously involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, with the goal of reducing recidivism.

Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

This practice utilizes a multi-tiered system of supports designed to make schools more effective in establishing a school culture and building a behavioral supports system to improve students’ behavioral, social, emotional, and academic outcomes. It involves three tiers of support, including both prevention and intervention efforts.

Person holding a pen at an event.
Motorion/iStock (see reuse policy).

The First Step Act

The First Step Act of 2018 aims to reform the federal prison system and reduce recidivism. NIJ is working to assess and develop an existing risk and needs assessment system for incarcerated individuals, and develop recommendations regarding effective evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and activities.