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2 The Forensic Science Community and the Need for Integrated Governance
Pages 55-84

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From page 55...
... In general, however, the forensic science community includes crime scene investigators; state and local crime laboratories; medical examiners; private forensic laboratories; law enforcement identification units; resources such as registries and databases; professional organizations; prosecutors and defense attorneys; quality system providers (i.e., accrediting and certifying organizations) ; and federal agencies that conduct or support research as well as provide forensic science services and training.
From page 56...
... Crime scene evidence collectors can include uniformed officers, detectives, crime scene investigators, criminalists, forensic scientists, coroners, medical examiners, hospital personnel, photographers, and arson investigators. Thus, the nature and process of crime scene investiga   T.S.Witt, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, West Virginia University. "Survey of Non-Traditional Forensic Service Providers." Presentation to the committee.
From page 57...
... developed Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement, which stated that "successful implementation of this guide can be realized only if staff possess basic (and in some cases advanced) training in the fundamentals of investigating a crime scene." However, there remains great variability in crime scene investigation practices, along with persistent concerns that the lack of standards and proper training at the crime scene can contribute to the difficulties of drawing accurate conclusions once evidence is subjected to forensic laboratory methods.
From page 58...
... There are no good data on the entire universe of forensic science entities, although there have been efforts to gather data on publicly funded crime laboratories and nonlaboratorybased providers. The committee could find no data regarding for-profit forensic science service providers, except for DNA laboratories, of which there are approximately 30 in the United States.
From page 59...
... as a limiting factor in processing cases.12 It cited equipment needs at the 50 largest laboratories in the disciplines of controlled substances, trace evidence, firearms, questioned documents, latent prints, toxicology, and arson. Evidence submission may or may not be automated, depending on the laboratory.
From page 60...
... In terms of crime scene investigation, 62 percent of laboratories report having sent examiners directly to crime scenes, although most forensic examiners did not visit crime scenes. Twenty-five percent of the laboratories reported that laboratory personnel also served as crime scene investigators.
From page 61...
... Six percent of laboratories that received cases in 2005 reported having no backlog at yearend.18 In 2005, federal laboratories received the fewest cases. Fifty-one percent of the laboratories reported outsourcing one or more types of forensic services to private laboratories in 2005, primarily DNA casework, toxicology, Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
From page 62...
... (2)  eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence, To including, among other things, a backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, toxicology, controlled substances, fo rensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence.
From page 63...
... FORENSIC SERVICES BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL LABORATORY Many forensic examiners do not work in a traditional crime laboratory. Often they work within law enforcement offices in units called "identifica 23  Ibid.
From page 64...
... Half are small units, with one to five full- and part-time employees. The units primarily conduct crime scene investigations, latent print and 10-print examinations, photography, and bloodstain pattern analyses.
From page 65...
... The FBI Laboratory The types of cases investigated by the FBI include terrorism, espionage, public corruption, civil rights, criminal organizations and enterprises, white collar crime, and violent crime. Investigative case work services include those involving: • chemistry • cryptanalysis and racketeering records • DNA analysis • explosives • evidence response • firearms-toolmarks • hazardous materials • investigative and prosecutive graphics • latent prints • photographic operations and imaging services • questioned documents • structural design • trace evidence • specialty units According to the 2005 BJS report, the FBI Laboratory had approximately 600 employees in 2005, and it partners with state and local crime laboratories throughout the country.
From page 66...
... The FBI CODIS Unit is responsible for developing, providing, and supporting the CODIS Program to federal, state, and local crime laboratories in the United States and selected international law enforcement crime laboratories to foster the exchange and comparison of forensic DNA evidence from violent crime investigations. The CODIS Unit also provides administrative management and support to the FBI for various advisory boards, Department of Justice (DOJ)
From page 67...
... repository for the Paint Data Query database, which is a Canadian database. State and local law enforcement agencies investigating hit-and-run homicides rely on both the National Automotive Paint File and the Paint Data Query database.
From page 68...
... In FY 2005, ATF Laboratories performed more than 2,600 forensic examinations with an authorized staff of 106 positions and a budget of approximately $16 million. In FY 2006, the ATF Laboratories: • analyzed 64 samples related to alcohol and tobacco diversion; • processed 3,086 forensic cases; • spent 171 days providing expert testimony in the courts; • spent 242 days at crime scenes; and •  pent 371 days providing training to federal, state, and local inves s tigators and examiners.
From page 69...
... A DOD Forensic Sciences Committee provides advice on forensic science activities across the department. Like other crime laboratories, DOD has capabilities in most of the forensic science disciplines.
From page 70...
... It is collaborating with the National Forensic Science Technology Center to leverage its work in deployable forensic instrumentation and technologies and with NIJ on technology transfer strategies. National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC)
From page 71...
... the Office of Research and Evaluation develops, conducts, directs, and supervises research and evaluation activities across a wide variety of issues and (2) the Office of Science and Technology manages technology research and development, the development of technical standards, testing, forensic science capacity building, and technology assistance to state and local law enforcement and corrections agencies.34 NIJ's forensic science programs relevant to research include the President's DNA Initiative; General Forensics R&D; the Forensic Resource Network; and Electronic Crime.
From page 72...
... The 2007 NIJ awards totaled nearly $6.6 million, with an average award size of $314,000. As a comparison, in the same year, the National Institutes of Health awarded 37,275 research project grants, averaging $359,000, for a total of $15 billion.42 Also in FY 2007, the National Science Foundation made over 11,500 research project awards for a total of $6.0 billion.43 NIJ's Forensic Resource Network is a system of four forensic centers whose mission is to assist state and local forensic service providers in achieving their service delivery goals through research and development, testing and evaluation, training, technology transfer, and technology assistance.
From page 73...
... The FBI's Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit "provides technical leadership/advancement of counterterrorism and forensic sciences for the FBI as well as for state and local law enforcement agencies through the development and validation of new technologies/techniques by both internal and outsourced research efforts and through advanced scientific training in specialized forensic procedures."46 It fulfills its research mission through two core programs. The Research and Development Program creates and coordinates the development of new forensic techniques, instrumentation, and protocols for FBI Laboratory units to use in terrorism and violent crime cases.
From page 74...
... for Forensic Purposes, Yale University, $680,516 Sperm Capture Using Aptamer-Based Technology, Denver, City and County of, $370,813 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Numerous professional organizations are focused on the forensic science disciplines (see Box 2-3)
From page 75...
... AAFS sponsors an annual scientific meeting, publishes the Journal of Forensic Sciences, and promotes research, education, and training. It also operates the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (see Chapter 8 for further discussion)
From page 76...
... 76 STRENGTHENING FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES Box 2-3 Forensic Associations and Societies American Academy of Forensic Sciences American Board of Criminalistics American Board of Forensic Anthropology American Board of Forensic Odontology American Board of Forensic Toxicology American Society for Quality American Society for Testing and Materials American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors American Society of Questioned Document Examiners AOAC International Association of Firearm & Tool Marks Examiners Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers California Association of Criminalistics Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences Council of Federal Forensic Crime Laboratory Directors Forensic Science Society International Association for Identification International Association of Arson Investigators International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners International Association of Forensic Nurses International Association of Forensic Toxicologists Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists National Association of Medical Examiners National Center of Forensic Science National Forensic Science Technology Center New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists Society of Forensic Toxicologists Southern Association of Forensic Science Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists Wisconsin Association for Identification IAI was founded in 1915 and has 6,700 members worldwide. Its members tend to be involved at the "front end" of the process -- crime scene investigation, evidence collection, and evidence preservation.49 It operates certification programs in seven disciplines and publishes the Journal of 49 J.
From page 77...
... CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION The fragmented nature of the forensic science community makes it difficult to gather data on the entire universe of forensic service entities and activities, although efforts have been made to collect data on publicly funded crime laboratories and nonlaboratory-based providers. For example, the committee could find no data available on for-profit forensic service providers, other than on DNA laboratories.
From page 78...
... Although the FBI and NIJ have supported some research in the forensic science disciplines, the level of support has been well short of what is necessary for the forensic science community to establish strong links with a broad base of research universities and the national research community. Moreover, funding for academic research is limited and requires law enforcement collaboration, which can inhibit the pursuit of more fundamental scientific questions essential to establishing the foundation of forensic science.
From page 79...
... Oversight of the forensic science community and medical examiner system will sweep broadly into areas of criminal investigation and prosecution, civil litigation, legal reform, investigation of insurance claims, national disaster planning and preparedness, homeland security, certification of federal, state, and local forensic practitioners, public health, accreditation of public and private laboratories, research to improve forensic methodologies, education programs in colleges and universities, and advancing technology. The committee considered whether such a governing entity could be established within an existing federal agency.
From page 80...
... Forensic science serves more than just law enforcement; and when it does serve law enforcement, it must be equally available to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and defendants in the criminal justice system. The entity that is established to govern the forensic science community cannot be principally beholden to law enforcement.
From page 81...
...  establishing standards for the mandatory accreditation of forensic science laboratories and the mandatory certifica tion of forensic scientists and medical examiners/forensic pathologists -- and identifying the entity/entities that will develop and implement accreditation and certification; (c)  promoting scholarly, competitive peer-reviewed research and technical development in the forensic science disci plines and forensic medicine; (d)
From page 82...
... reduce the likelihood of convictions resting on inaccurate data. Moreover, establishing the scientific foundation of the forensic science disciplines, providing better education and training, and requiring certification and accreditation will position the forensic science community to take advantage of current and future scientific advances.
From page 83...
... THE NEED FOR INTEGRATED GOVERNANCE 83 mendation is a separate, essential piece of the plan to improve the forensic science community in the United States. Therefore, even if the creation of NIFS is forestalled, the committee vigorously supports the adoption of the core ideas and principles embedded in the additional recommendations that appear in this report.


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