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In this New Perspectives in Policing paper, Anthony A. Braga and Rod K. Brunson explain that while the term black-on-black violence is statistically correct, it is a simplistic view of urban violence. They explain how media coverage sometimes distorts racial issues and argue that a more careful analysis can reveal urban violence patterns that can support police executives in communicating the… (read more)

Sexual assault has a substantial impact on both victims and society. Victims of sexual assault may suffer both immediate and long-term physical and mental health consequences, including injury, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. This technical research report explores the prevalence, context, response, reactions and reporting of various forms of sexual violence on historically black… (read more)

This report contains the results of a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and promise of this strategic approach to preventing violent extremism. It is based on a nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies and hundreds of hours of interviews and site visits with police departments and community members around the country. Challenges and promising practices are included.

The RAND Center on Quality Policing convened a national summit on police recruitment and retention in the contemporary urban environment in June 2008. This summit, supported by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the National Institute of Justice, brought nearly 60 participants to the RAND Washington Office to discuss the challenges of recruiting and retention of officers.… (read more)

This study looked at injuries that occur to law enforcement officers and citizens during use-of-force events. This NIJ-sponsored study included six police departments and evaluated the results of 962 real world CED uses. Policymakers and law enforcement officials want to know whether Tasers are safe and effective, and how (if at all) they should be used to match police use-of-force choices with… (read more)

"The report describes a victim-centered response to sexual assault cases that positively impacts sexual assault response, the experiences of victims, and ultimately results in safer communities. An NIJ working group consisting of victims, victim advocates, sexual assault nurse and medical examiners, prosecutors, forensic scientists, and law enforcement officials, created the report in response… (read more)

This study analyzed the hiring and retention of police officers and found that many police recruiters and managers would need to assess the effectiveness of their recruiting methods and find ways to make working in their agencies more attractive. Strategies might include improving pay and benefits, recruiting officers with the right skills for community policing, changing job roles to enhance… (read more)

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has invested in research on violence against women, and their research touches on a wide variety of public safety concerns, including intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as criminal justice challenges, including the availability of legal and victim support services, the effectiveness of prevention… (read more)

This study examines the prevalence, nature, and reporting of various types of sexual assault experienced by university students in an effort to inform the development of targeted intervention strategies.

This report examined whether any differences exist between lone actor terrorists and mass murderers. Using a series of bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses, researchers compared demographic, psychological and offense-related behavioral variables across and between 71 lone actor terrorists and 115 solo mass murderers. The fundamental distinction between the two groups, motivation,… (read more)

This report provides background context for body-worn cameras (BWCs); methodology for developing the market survey; compiled results from the market survey; and a summary of the information found in A Market Survey on Body Worn Camera Technologies. It also includes policy, training, and other considerations for implementing BWCs.

This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive view of less-lethal technologies, their evolutionary role in criminal justice, and considerations when acquiring such devices to meet operational needs. It is segregated into six self-contained chapters which provide information and insight into specific areas of inquiry. The first three chapters provide background information on less-lethal… (read more)

"The National Institutes of Justice (NIJ) sought to collect information on existing body-worn camera (BWC) technologies. This paper provides the methodology for developing the market survey and results from the market survey. From this market survey, the following was uncovered: 1) there are many more vendors now that sell BWC products as compared to a previous market survey from 2014; 2) the… (read more)

At the core of the NLECTC System is the notion of "translational technology," or linking research with practice. As a program of the National Institute of Justice, the NLECTC System is the conduit between researchers and criminal justice professionals in the field for technology issues. NLECTC works with criminal justice professionals to identify urgent and emerging technology needs. NIJ sponsors… (read more)

In 2011, after a competitive selection process, NIJ awarded grants to the Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan Prosecutor's Office and to the Houston Police Department to look at the issue of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that had not previously been sent to a crime laboratory for DNA testing. The overarching goal of this project was to identify effective, sustainable responses regarding previously… (read more)

Developed by the NIJ-funded NLECTC Sensor, Surveillance and Biometric Technologies Center of Excellence, A Primer on Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement provides an introduction to body-worn camera systems. The 2012 report discusses the functions and features of body-worn camera systems and highlights issues and factors that law enforcement organizations should consider before and during… (read more)

The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution and Victim Advocacy is part of the National Institute of Justice's translational criminology seminar series and features Dr. Rebecca Campbell of Michigan State University. Dr. Campbell discusses the research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice system response to sexual assault… (read more)