Forensics (FORS)

This page provides additional helpful resources from national and local organizations, practitioner groups, and data.

Page Contents:

• Crime Scene Information
• Federal Resources
• National, State and Regional Organizations
• Statistics

Crime Scene Information

• Crime Scene Investigation – Evidence collection guidelines
• Innocence Project - The Innocence Project was founded to assist prisoners who could be proven innocent through DNA testing. To date, more than 300 people in the United States have been exonerated by DNA testing.
• Simplified Guide to Forensic Science - Basic forensic science information for practitioners.

Federal Resources

• FBI — Handbook of Forensic Services (pdf) - Guidance and procedures for safe and efficient methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence and describes the forensic examinations performed by the FBI.
• National Institute of Justice - Forensic sciences play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing investigators with scientifically based information through the analysis of physical evidence.

National, State and Regional Organizations

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists
• Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists
• Idaho State Police Laboratory
• Virginia Department of Forensic Science  
• Washington State Patrol Forensic Laboratory Services Crime Lab Technical and Training Manuals

Statistics

• Bureau of Justice Statistics - The United States' primary source for criminal justice statistics, offering information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.
• Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics - Brings together data from over 100 published and unpublished sources, mined from state and federal agency reports, research centers, universities, and private companies. NOTE: This version is archived.
• U.S. Census - Statistics on the number of people living in the United Stats, conducted every 10 years by act of Congress.