Charters for the Subcommittee
and Inter-Agency Working Groups
Subcommittee Charter:
Inter-agency Working Group Charters:
Ethics, Education and Terminology
Accreditation and Certification
Outreach and Communication
Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation
Standards and Protocols
Subcommittee on Forensic Science
(pdf)
A. Official Designation
The Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established by action of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Science (COS).
B. Purpose and Scope
Background Forensic science has been a critical tool in solving innumerable crimes throughout the Nation’s history. Each day, our Nation’s forensic examiners analyze evidence in order to provide scientific explanations to criminal justice proceedings. This work plays a key role in identifying and exonerating individuals suspected of perpetrating crimes, as well as identifying victims of natural and man-made disasters. When the public, prosecutors, defendants, and the courts afford respect to such analyses, they place their faith in the scientific validity and reliability underlying those analyses and the objective interpretation of that evidence by trained experts.
In 2006, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) issued a grant to the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies to establish a Forensic Science Committee to study the forensic sciences and their application throughout the Nation. The resulting analysis built upon prior NIJ studies in 1999 and 2004, as well as several other studies. In February of 2009, the NRC completed its work and issued a final report entitled Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. The report concluded that the scientific practices underlying many forensics disciplines are in many respects wanting. It provided a number of recommendations on how to improve the scientific foundations of the field, which are so important to its ongoing and future credibility. This Subcommittee is being created to assess the practical challenges of implementing those recommendations and advise the White House on how best to achieve the goals outlined in the NRC report.
Functions
The purpose of the Subcommittee is to advise and assist the COS, NSTC, and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels. Emphasis will be placed on developing practical and timely approaches to enhancing the validity and reliability of the federal government’s undertakings in forensic science and medical examinations and on how the Federal government, in collaboration with other entities, can help ensure that regional, state and local entities adopt best practices in forensic sciences. The Subcommittee will facilitate a strong, coordinated effort across federal agencies to identify and address important federal policy, program and budget matters, as well as potential activities to improve research, training and education, accreditation and certification, protocol testing, methods development, scientific validation, uncertainty measurement, standards, uniformity of forensic science terminology and reporting, and outreach needs. The Subcommittee serves as part of the internal deliberative process of the NSTC, as defined in Executive Order 12881. Reporting to and directed by the COS, the Subcommittee’s overarching goal will be to lead an interagency assessment of the Federal government’s ability to implement or promote the implementation of the recommendations in the NRC report and develop timely and specific recommendations for doing so.
To achieve this goal, the Subcommittee shall:
Inventory and analyze activities already underway aimed at addressing forensic science challenges
- Catalog internal and external recommendations on how to improve the methods and implementation of local, state and federal forensic science services;
- Identify existing and planned private and governmental efforts whose goals are to improve the methods and implementation of forensic science services;
Develop strategic plans for the improvement of forensic science capacity, infrastructure, standards and quality management, with particular attention to priorities in the 2009 NRC report, including
- Prioritization of and increased support for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities;
- Development of uniform standards for collection, terminology, reporting, and other practices;
- Implementation of laboratory “Best Practices,” with a focus, as deemed appropriate, on accreditation and certification;
- Assuring that forensic laboratories have an appropriate degree of independence from prosecutors and law enforcement agencies;
- Improving education and training;
- Enhancing technology transfer to state/local/tribal and independent forensic science service providers; and
- Address other items identified through the Subcommittee’s analysis
Subcommittee co-chairs, consistent with the Committee’s endorsement, will recommend action on major issues to the Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, for approval or consultation with other components of the Executive Office of the President as appropriate.
Membership
The following NSTC departments and agencies are represented on the Subcommittee:
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of the Interior Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of the Treasury
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Intelligence Community
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Smithsonian Institution
- United States Postal Service
The following organizations in the Executive Office of the President shall also be represented on the Subcommittee:
- Domestic Policy Council
- Office of Management and Budget
- Office of Science and Technology Policy
- National Security Council
- White House Counsel
The Subcommittee co-chairs may designate additional representation from other Executive organizations, departments and agencies. The Subcommittee may also utilize the Science and Technology Policy Institute to provide assistance in meeting these tasks.
Private Sector Interface
The Subcommittee may seek advice from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and will recommend to the Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, the nature of additional private sector advice needed to accomplish its mission. The Subcommittee may also interact with and receive ad hoc advice from various private-sector groups as consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Termination Date
Unless renewed by the COS prior to its expiration, the Subcommittee shall terminate no later than September 31, 2011.
Determination
I hereby determine that the formation of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
Approved
Dr. John Holdren; Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Dr. Arden Bement; Director, National Science Foundation
Dr. Raynard S. Kington; Acting Director, National Institutes of Health
Education, Ethics and Terminology
Inter-agency Working Group Charter
A. Designation
The Inter-agency Working Group for Education, Ethics and Terminology (IWG EET) of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established.
B. Background
The Charter of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, Committee of Science (COS), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was enacted on July 7, 2009. The Subcommittee on Forensic Science will advise and assist the COS and the NSTC and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels.
C. Functions
In support of the Subcommittee’s efforts, the IWG EET will convene with the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management and implementation of Federal programs relating to forensic science that are established pursuant to statutes that share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration. Such statutes include, but are not limited to, 42 U.S.C 14132 and the Justice for All Act. In pursuing its mandate, the IWG EET shall focus in particular on issues relating to forensic science education, ethics and terminology. Examples of the work the IWG EET may undertake include, but are not limited to:
- Identify formal degree programs and continuing education programs for forensic science examiners, prosecutors, defenders and judges.
- Identify accreditation organizations for formal forensic science degree programs.
- Identify existing sources of funding for scholarships for forensic science degree programs.
- Identify a code of ethics or professional responsibility that can serve as a uniform code, and recommend a process for implementing and enforcing such a code.
- Recommend a process for defining and standardizing forensic science terminology used in expert reports and testimony.
D. Organization
The IWG EET’s co-chairs, executive secretary, and voting members shall be federal employees. In addition, state, local, and/or tribal elected officers (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and only such officers or employees, shall be invited to participate in the IWG EET as members in an advisory capacity. The IWG EET shall communicate its findings to the Subcommittee as requested. The IWG EET shall, as appropriate, outreach to and obtain input from forensic science and criminal justice organizations; state, local and private practitioners; and other stakeholders.
E. Termination
The IWG EET shall terminate concurrently with the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.
F. Approval
In my capacity as Co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, I hereby determine that the formation of the Inter-agency Working Group for Education, Ethics and Terminology is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
_____________________________________________
Kenneth E. Melson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
_____________________________________________
Mark Stolorow
Director
Office of Law Enforcement Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Accreditation and Certification
Inter-agency Working Group Charter
A. Designation
The Inter-agency Working Group for Accreditation and Certification (IWG AC) of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established.
B. Background
The Charter of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, Committee of Science (COS), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was enacted on July 7, 2009. The Subcommittee on Forensic Science will advise and assist the COS and the NSTC and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels.
C. Functions
In support of the Subcommittee’s efforts, the IWG AC shall convene with the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management and implementation of Federal programs relating to forensic science that are established pursuant to statutes that share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration. Such statutes include, but are not limited to, 42 U.S.C 14132 and the Justice for All Act. In pursuing its mandate, the IWG AC shall focus in particular on issues relating to forensic science accreditation and certification. Examples of the work the IWG AC may undertake include, but are not limited to:
Accreditation:
- Identify accreditation bodies for forensic science laboratories.
- Identify recognition bodies for laboratory accreditation organizations.
- Identify non-accredited laboratories, forensic science units and crime scene units.
- Identify existing accreditation standards.
- Recommend processes for conducting a gap analysis for accreditation standards, improving existing standards, and developing new standards where needed.
- Recommend a process to assist forensic science laboratories to become accredited.
- Determine costs to meet accreditation requirements.
Certification:
- Identify certification organizations for forensic scientists.
- Identify recognition bodies for certification organizations.
- Identify existing certification standards.
- Evaluate existing standards’ abilities to meet needs.
- Recommend processes for conducting a gap analysis for certification standards, improving existing standards, and developing new standards where needed.
- Recommend a process to assist forensic scientists to achieve certification.
- Determine costs to meet certification requirements.
D. Organization
The IWG AC’s co-chairs, executive secretary, and voting members shall be federal employees. In addition, state, local, and/or tribal elected officers (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and only such officers or employees, shall be invited to participate in the IWG AC as members in an advisory capacity. The IWG AC shall communicate its findings to the Subcommittee as requested. The IWG AC shall, as appropriate, outreach to and obtain input from forensic science and criminal justice organizations, state, local, and private practitioners, and other stakeholders.
E. Termination
The IWG AC shall terminate concurrently with the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.
F. Approval
In my capacity as Co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, I hereby determine that the formation of the Inter-agency Working Group for Accreditation and Certification is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
_____________________________________________
Kenneth E. Melson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
_____________________________________________
Mark Stolorow
Director
Office of Law Enforcement Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Outreach and Communication
Inter-agency Working Group Charter
A. Designation
The Inter-agency Working Group for Outreach and Communication (IWG OC) of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established.
B. Background
The Charter of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, Committee of Science (COS), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was enacted on July 7, 2009. The Subcommittee on Forensic Science will advise and assist the COS and the NSTC and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels.
C. Functions
The IWG OC shall support the efforts of the Subcommittee and the Subcommittee’s four other IWGs by facilitating the process of outreaching to and gaining input from forensic science and criminal justice organizations; state, local and private practitioners; and other stakeholders. Among other tasks, the IWG OG shall implement methods for sharing information about the Subcommittee’s and the IWGs’ activities, including the management of a web site.
D. Organization
The IWG OC’s co-chairs, executive secretary, and voting members shall be federal employees. In addition, state, local, and/or tribal elected officers (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and only such officers or employees, shall be invited to participate in the IWG OC as members in an advisory capacity.
E. Termination
The IWG OC shall terminate concurrently with the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.2
F. Approval
In my capacity as Co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, I hereby determine that the formation of the Inter-agency Working Group for Outreach and Communication is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
_____________________________________________
Kenneth E. Melson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
_____________________________________________
Mark Stolorow
Director
Office of Law Enforcement Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation
Inter-agency Working Group Charter
A. Designation
The Inter-agency Working Group for Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (IWG RDT&E) of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established.
B. Background
The Charter of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, Committee of Science (COS), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was enacted on July 7, 2009. The Subcommittee on Forensic Science will advise and assist the COS and the NSTC and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels.
C. Functions
In support of the Subcommittee’s efforts, the IWG RDT&E shall convene with the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management and implementation of Federal programs relating to forensic science that are established pursuant to statutes that share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration. Such statutes include, but are not limited to, 42 U.S.C 14132 and the Justice for All Act. In pursuing its mandate, the IWG RDT&E shall focus in particular on issues relating to forensic science research, development, testing and evaluation. Examples of the work the IWG RDT&E may undertake include, but are not limited to:
- Identify and prioritize extant research, development, testing and evaluation related to forensic science.
- Identify current and future plans for research, development, testing and evaluation related to forensic science.
- Conduct gap analysis.
- Identify costs of research, development, testing and evaluation related to forensic science.
D. Organization
The IWG RDT&E’s co-chairs, executive secretary, and voting members shall be federal employees. In addition, state, local, and/or tribal elected officers (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and only such officers or employees, shall be invited to participate in the IWG RDT&E as members in an advisory capacity. The IWG RDT&E shall communicate its findings to the Subcommittee as requested. The IWG RDT&E shall, as appropriate, outreach to and obtain input from forensic science and criminal justice organizations; state, local, and private practitioners; and other stakeholders.
E. Termination
The IWG RDT&E shall terminate concurrently with the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.
F. Approval
In my capacity as Co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, I hereby determine that the formation of the Inter-agency Working Group for Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
_____________________________________________
Kenneth E. Melson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
_____________________________________________
Mark Stolorow
Director
Office of Law Enforcement Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Standards, Practices and Protocols
Inter-agency Working Group Charter
A. Designation
The Inter-agency Working Group for Standards, Practices and Protocols (IWG SPP) of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science (Subcommittee) is hereby established.
B. Background
The Charter of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, Committee of Science (COS), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), was enacted on July 7, 2009. The Subcommittee on Forensic Science will advise and assist the COS and the NSTC and other coordination bodies of the Executive Office of the President on policies, procedures and plans related to forensic science in the national security, criminal justice, and medical examiner/coroner systems at the local, state and federal levels.
C. Functions
In support of the Subcommittee’s efforts, the IWG SPP will convene with the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management and implementation of Federal programs relating to forensic science that are established pursuant to statutes that share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration. Such statutes include, but are not limited to, 42 U.S.C 14132 and the Justice for All Act. In pursuing its mandate, the IWG SPP will focus in particular on issues relating to forensic science standards, practices, and protocols.
Examples of the work the IWG SPP may undertake include, but are not limited to:
- Identify Standards Development Organizations (SDOs).
- Inventory existing standards/best practices/guidelines/protocols, including those relating to identification, collection, preservation, analysis, evaluation, comparison, interpretation, terminology, and reporting.
Recommend processes for conducting a gap analysis, improving existing standards and protocols, and developing new standards and protocols where needed.
D. Organization
The IWG SPP’s co-chairs, executive secretary, and voting members shall be federal employees. In addition, state, local, and/or tribal elected officers (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and only such officers or employees, shall be invited to participate in the IWG SPP as members in an advisory capacity. The IWG SPP shall communicate its findings to the Subcommittee as requested. The IWG SPP shall, as appropriate, outreach to and obtain input from forensic science and criminal justice organizations; state, local, and private practitioners; and other stakeholders.
E. Termination
The IWG SPP shall terminate concurrently with the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.
F. Approval
In my capacity as Co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science, I hereby determine that the formation of the Inter-agency Working Group for Standards, Practices and Protocols is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Executive Branch by law, and that such duties can best be performed through the advice and counsel of such a group.
_____________________________________________
Kenneth E. Melson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
_____________________________________________
Mark Stolorow
Director
Office of Law Enforcement Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology