National Institute of Forensic Science

[Charles Parker]

I am not in favor of the federal government forming or implementing a Federal National Institute of Forensic Science but each state should form its own Forensic Science Commission to handle the needs for each state.

1. Each state has a wide variety of needs that could best be served by a commission set up for that state, by that state, and operated according to the needs of that state.

2. Each state currently has it’s own set of laws and courts to oversee justice in each state. Some of the cases for each state can be appealed to the Supreme Court of the U.S. Not each state is a Daubert State while some states court systems have elected to remain with Frye. Each state has it own court system why not its own Forensic Science Commission.

3. Each state has its own organization to certify, and monitor the lawyers in each state where complaints can be made and investigated in regard to lawyers. If each state can have it’s own Bar Association why not its own Forensic Science Commission.

4. Each state has its own organization to monitor and investigate complaints of medical personnel. If each state can have it own Medical Examiners Board why not its own Forensic Science Commission.

5. Each state has its own organization to standardize, set training and educational standards for it commissioned officers. These boards investigate and deal with those individuals who violate the commission rules. If each state can have its commissioned officer board why not its own Forensic Science Commission.

6. Each state controls to some extent its own state educational systems. If each state can have its own educational system, why not its own Forensic Science Commission.

I could go on with several more, but I believe another advantage to having 50 different Forensic Science Commission is like having 50 different research groups. With 50 you have a better chance of developing new ideas and concepts than if you only have one and are told which mousetrap to buy.

Each state could set up its own criteria for accreditation and certification and not have to depend upon just one or maybe two entities to provide that criteria.

Each state is better at meeting its own needs for Forensic Science than the federal government is for trying to handle the needs for fifty states.

Also the federal labs could then set their own criteria to do with as they please and the states could set up their criteria according to their needs.

In 2005 the Texas Legislature and Governor Perry put in place the Texas Forensic Science Commission. It is in place now----expand its authority and provide it with some additional funds and it is ready to go.

[kevin]

I second that!

[L.J.Steele]

Much as I have concerns about NIFS, I'm equally concerned about a state-by-state approach. I practice in New England, and there can be huge variations among the labs within a couple of hours' drive -- I am concerned on an equal protection level about the fairness of prosecuting a defendant with evidence processed under widely different training requirements and protocols depending on whether the crime was committed in Worcester (MA), Hartford (CT), Providence (RI), Burlingon (VT), Portsmouth (NH), or Kittery (ME) -- which are all within a half-day's drive of each other.

I think there's room for statewide variation, but I think there's also some need for a national minimal floor so that everyone gets a minimal, consistent, standard.