Free Forensic Research Tool Available Online
April 14th, 2008For those of you already in forensic practice, you are probably well aware that there exists a colossal quantity of literature and resources involving forensic science. The overwhelming amount of available data impedes efficient research and fact finding.
The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) at Stetson University College of Law was developed to address this problem.
NCSTL is a nonprofit program of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice, Grant #2003-IJ-CX-K024. The group organizes scientific, technological, and relevant legal resources into a comprehensive “one-stop” searchable database.
Specifically, information from multiple formats (such as cases, books, scientific articles, and newspapers) about dozens of forensic subjects is cataloged and summarized into bibliographic records. Topics range from anthropology through voice analysis. Anyone can explore and view these records by simply visiting www.ncstl.org and clicking on the “Search Database” link. Better than a general search engine, the unique website instantly pinpoints focused results.There are no fees and registration is 100% optional.
Visitors to NCSTL’s website can also take advantage of: detailed bibliographies on “hot” forensic topics, training modules with an emphasis on distance education, a hard copy reference collection accessible through interlibrary loan, archived copies of NCSTL’s newsletters, and even webcasts of well-known forensic lecturers, such as Drs. Henry Lee and Kathy Reichs. The site’s “Related Links” page and “Cold Case Toolkit” offer additional research tools.
This kind of unlimited, organized access to forensic materials is invaluable to professionals and students alike, and benefits both the legal and the scientific communities. Learn more about the organization at www.ncstl.org.
– Catherine Guthrie, Research Attorney @ NCSTL

