Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
1. What is the NAS Report? Study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences on
the forensic sciences:" Strengthening Forensic Science in
the United States. A Path Forward"
-Assess the present and future resource needs
-ID potential scientific advances and make
recommendations on education and technologies
-disseminate best practice and guidelines for collection
and analysis of evidence for quality control
2. Effects of the NAS Report Called into question the validity certain types of forensic
analy-
sis (particularly pattern evidence)
Held DNA analysis up as the golden
standard Called for changes that are not
fiscally possible. Put Forensic Science
"under the microscope"
Overall, the forensic science community has mostly
supported the primary recommendations of the NAS
Report just not how to implement them
(American Academy of Forensic Sciences, California
Associa- tion of Criminalists)
3. NAS Report & Pattern Challenges the scientific validity of pattern analysis
evi- dence -Fingerprints
-Impression Evidence
-Toolmark
-Firearms
1/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
conclusions based on experi- ence.
Calls into question subjective
2/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
4. NAS recommendations 1. Congress should establish a National Institute of
Forensic
Science (NIFS)
2. Terminology and reports should be standardized
3. The federal government should fund research
to establish scientific bases for, and demonstrate the
validity of forensic methods; and determine quantifiable
levels of uncertainty in forensic conclusions
4. All forensic labs should be physically and
administratively removed from law enforcement
agencies and prosecutors' oflces
5. Research should be conducted on sources
of error and bias.
6. Establish standard methods and protocols
7. Laboratory accreditation and individual
certification should be mandatory.
8. Forensic Labs should establish routine QC
procedures.
9. A national code of ethics should be
established for all forensic scientists.
10. Graduate education programs in forensic
science should be developed and improved.
11. Medical examiner systems should replace
Coroner sys- tems.
12. A broad-based system to integrate fingerprint
databases should be launched.
13. Prepare forensic scientists to handle evidence
related to events potentially impacting homeland
security.
5. PCAST Report President's Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology
3/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
Further re-iterated some of the concerns brought up in
NAS Report
4/
73
Midterm 1
1. What is the NAS Report? Study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences on
the forensic sciences:" Strengthening Forensic Science in
the United States. A Path Forward"
-Assess the present and future resource needs
-ID potential scientific advances and make
recommendations on education and technologies
-disseminate best practice and guidelines for collection
and analysis of evidence for quality control
2. Effects of the NAS Report Called into question the validity certain types of forensic
analy-
sis (particularly pattern evidence)
Held DNA analysis up as the golden
standard Called for changes that are not
fiscally possible. Put Forensic Science
"under the microscope"
Overall, the forensic science community has mostly
supported the primary recommendations of the NAS
Report just not how to implement them
(American Academy of Forensic Sciences, California
Associa- tion of Criminalists)
3. NAS Report & Pattern Challenges the scientific validity of pattern analysis
evi- dence -Fingerprints
-Impression Evidence
-Toolmark
-Firearms
1/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
conclusions based on experi- ence.
Calls into question subjective
2/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
4. NAS recommendations 1. Congress should establish a National Institute of
Forensic
Science (NIFS)
2. Terminology and reports should be standardized
3. The federal government should fund research
to establish scientific bases for, and demonstrate the
validity of forensic methods; and determine quantifiable
levels of uncertainty in forensic conclusions
4. All forensic labs should be physically and
administratively removed from law enforcement
agencies and prosecutors' oflces
5. Research should be conducted on sources
of error and bias.
6. Establish standard methods and protocols
7. Laboratory accreditation and individual
certification should be mandatory.
8. Forensic Labs should establish routine QC
procedures.
9. A national code of ethics should be
established for all forensic scientists.
10. Graduate education programs in forensic
science should be developed and improved.
11. Medical examiner systems should replace
Coroner sys- tems.
12. A broad-based system to integrate fingerprint
databases should be launched.
13. Prepare forensic scientists to handle evidence
related to events potentially impacting homeland
security.
5. PCAST Report President's Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology
3/
73
, Criminalistics II
Midterm 1
Further re-iterated some of the concerns brought up in
NAS Report
4/
73
