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NIJ session opens with preview of forensic research, warning of short solicitation windows
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Summary
At a National Institute of Justice session opening, Jerry LaForte previewed ongoing forensic research (including a new trace microbiome portfolio), said several projects will present unpublished results, and warned delayed solicitations will leave applicants only 45–60 days to respond; the GRF STEM solicitation closes March 12.
Jerry LaForte opened a National Institute of Justice session by introducing his research-and-development team and previewing work across NIJ’s forensic science portfolio, including a newly launched trace microbiome portfolio managed by Greg Dutton.
LaForte told attendees there were about "300 registered online" and asked that in-person speakers use the microphone so the remote audience could hear. He said some projects presented that day are still in progress and will offer attendees an early look at results that have not yet been published.
The session included a summary of NIJ’s program areas — controlled substances and toxicology; forensic DNA and biology; impression, pattern and trace evidence; and medical-legal death investigation — and a specific announcement that NIJ recently hosted an Impression Pattern Trace Evidence Symposium. LaForte said archived materials from that symposium are available on the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence website.
LaForte also warned that NIJ solicitations were delayed this year and that deadlines remain fixed; as a result, most applicants will have only "45 to 60 days to respond." He apologized in advance for the short application windows, saying, "we have the proverbial wall crushing in on 1 side. We can't extend our deadlines at all." Attendees were urged to monitor the NIJ website and sign up for email alerts.
He announced that the Graduate Research Fellowship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (GRF STEM) solicitation is live and "closes March 12," and credited Greg Dutton with managing that program. LaForte also noted the R&D team will present sessions at the upcoming Pittcon conference in Orlando next week and encouraged attendees at Pittcon to stop by the NIJ sessions.
Wrapping up, LaForte promoted the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence’s webcasts and podcasts as resources for technical updates and turned the program over to Francis Scott to begin the forensic anthropology session.
The session proceeded to the scheduled forensic anthropology presentations.
