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NIJ Journal Issue No. 261

NCJ Number
224083
Journal
NIJ Journal Issue: 261 Dated: October 2008 Pages: 1-51
Editor(s)
Nancy Ritter
Date Published
October 2008
Length
51 pages
Annotation
Seven articles report on recent research projects sponsored by the U.S. Justice Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), including a cover story on the findings from the DNA Field Experiment, which investigated the cost-effectiveness of using DNA evidence to solve property crimes.
Abstract
This research documented the increased number of arrests and prosecutions in five sites when DNA analysis was used with biological evidence collected at the scene of a property crime. Also discussed are the resource of implications of expanding DNA analysis to property crimes and the resulting resource demands on crime labs and criminal justice personnel and facilities. Another article focuses on research that examined the prevalence of and factors in the political and religious radicalization of inmates in prison and the threat it poses for terrorist attacks on U.S. institutions. Attention is given to the case of Kevin Lamar James and his cohorts, who had a sophisticated plan to wage war against U.S. Government and religious facilities. Another article reports on an NIJ-sponsored medical panel and its interim findings and recommendations regarding the safety and deployment of police stun guns. A fourth article describes the rationale for and the features and effectiveness of the Piedmont Regional Voice over Internet Protocol Project, which has enabled law enforcement communications across State and county borders. Another article reports on a study of the strengths, failures, and lessons learned regarding interagency coordination in responding to the 2005 London bombings. An article then addresses research on teen dating violence from a gender and developmental perspective and how it differs from violence in adult intimate partnerships. The concluding article outlines issues derived from research on the feasibility of using calming pharmaceuticals as one means for police to use in controlling hostile, belligerent, and threatening suspects.