Project Overview

This project is supported by NIJ Award #2009-DN-BX-K223 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice to the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC).

The aim of this project was to identify the learning needs of law enforcement decision makers and to create an online training program that educates law enforcement practitioners on the policy and practice issues regarding the use of DNA analysis to investigate crimes. NFSTC convened an expert panel that was formed based on nominations from the following organizations:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)
• National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
• National Governors Association (NGA)
• National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL)
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)

The panel met and used a committee-based process to identify the learning needs for this project. The content for this learning tool was developed by the subject matter expert(s) on the panel with expertise in the respective topic areas.

This training tool is focused on law enforcement decision makers; however it may also be helpful to anyone in the criminal justice system.