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Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science Community

Completed

Regional focus

Global

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This consensus study committee assessed the state of forensic science in the United States and developed recommendations to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices within the forensic science community.

About Past Events

Description

Congress called for the creation of an independent forensic science committee at the National Academy of Sciences to: "(1) assess the present and future resource needs of the forensic science community, to include state and local crime labs, medical examiners, and coroners; (2) make recommendations for maximizing the use of forensic technologies and techniques to solve crimes, investigate deaths, and protect the public; (3) identify potential scientific advances that may assist law enforcement in using forensic technologies and techniques to protect the public; (4) make recommendations for programs that will increase the number of qualified forensic scientists and medical examiners available to work in public crime laboratories; (5) disseminate best practices and guidelines concerning the collection and analysis of forensic evidence to help ensure quality and consistency in the use of forensic technologies and techniques to solve crimes, investigate deaths, and protect the public; (6) examine the role of the forensic community in the homeland security mission; (7) examine the interoperability of Automated Fingerprint Information Systems; and (8) examine additional issues pertaining to forensic science as determined by the Committee."

The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Justice.

The approximate start date is September 1, 2006.

A report will be issued at the end of the study.

Update 2-7-08: A report will be issued at the end of the project in Summer, 2008.

Update 10-29-08: The project duration has been extended.

The report is expected to be issued by February 2009.

Update 1-22-09: The report is expected to be issued in mid to late February 2009.

Contributors

Committee

Co-Chair

Co-Chair

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Anne-Marie C. Mazza

Staff Officer

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Committee Membership Roster Comments

A change to the membership was made with the addition of Mr. Peter Marone, Director of Technical Services
Virginia Department of Forensic Science.

Sponsors

National Institute of Justice

Staff

Anne-Marie Mazza

Lead

Scott Weidman

Steven Kendall

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