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Standing Committee

Committee on Science, Technology, and Law

The National Academies established the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law in 1998 to bring together the science and engineering community and the legal community to explore pressing issues, improve communication and help resolve issues. Under the leadership of co-chairs Dr. Harold Varmus and Professor Martha Minow, the committee meets twice a year in a neutral and non-adversarial setting to discuss critical issues at the interface of science, technology, and the law; to promote understanding; and to develop imaginative approaches to solving problems of mutual concern.

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News and Updates

NEW PUBLICATION: Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Fourth Edition

Update

Jan 7, 2026

New Publication on Strengthening the U.S. Medicolegal Death Investigation System: Lessons from Death in Custody

Update

Nov 21, 2025
A closeup of the locking mechanism of a closed jail cell with welded iron bars on a dimly lit dark background - 3D render

Apply for a 2026 CSTL Biotechnology Regulatory Fellowship

Update

Nov 20, 2025
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and updates

Past Events

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations, Consensus Report Release

  • October 30, 2025
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

Members of the report authoring committee will discuss the new report, Strengthening the U.S. Medicolegal Death Investigation System: Lessons from Death in Custody, and its findings and recommendation...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #8

  • July 7, 2025
  • 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #7

  • July 2, 2025
  • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #6

  • June 30, 2025
  • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #5

  • June 16, 2025
  • 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #4

  • June 5, 2025
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft study report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting # 8

  • May 16, 2025
  • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the eighth meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting #7

  • April 16 - 17, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the seventh meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local...

Implications of Recent Supreme Court Decisions for Agency Decision-Making: A Workshop

  • April 7 - 8, 2025
  • Workshop
  • Past

In recent decisions (e.g., West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency and Biden v. Nebraska), the Supreme Court moved away from the traditional deference afforded government agencies under the 1...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations - Committee Check-in #3

  • March 26, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Committee members met to discuss the draft study report.

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting #6

  • February 4 - 5, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the sixth meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local f...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting #5

  • January 9 - 10, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the fifth meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local f...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting #4

  • December 3 - 4, 2024
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the fourth meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Committee Check-In #2

  • November 19, 2024
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was a check-in meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local...

Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lessons Learned from Death in Custody Investigations Meeting #3

  • September 19 - 20, 2024
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the third meeting for an ad hoc committee conducting a consensus study on the handling of deaths in custody (detained, arrested, en route to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local f...
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