Members Appointed to Newly Created National Commission on Forensic Science

On January 10, 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) announced appointments to a newly-created National Commission on Forensic Science (“Commission”). Members of the Commission are charged with working to improve the practice of forensic science by developing guidance concerning the intersections between forensic science and the criminal justice system. Members will also develop policy recommendations for the U.S. Attorney General, including uniform codes for professional responsibility and requirements for formal training and certification of forensic scientists.

The Commission includes federal, state and local forensic science service providers; research scientists and academics; law enforcement officials, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges; and other stakeholders from across the country. It is hoped that the broad array of expertise and experience will help ensure that broad perspectives are appropriately represented on the Commission and in its work.

The first meeting of the Commission will be held February 3-4 in Washington, DC.