The Institute for Defense Analyses is a non-profit corporation that administers three federally funded research and development centers to assist the United States Government in addressing important national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific and technical expertise. The institute traces its roots to 1947, when the secretary of defense established the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group to provide technical analyses of weapons systems and programs. Throughout its history, the institute has assisted federal agencies research in civil space, expert systems for criminal investigation, and energy and environmental issues. The institute only works for the government. To avoid institutional pressures to support Service positions, it does not work directly for the military departments. Also, to ensure freedom from commercial or other potential conflicts of interest, the institute does not work for private industry.