Executive Summary of the National Academies of Science Reports, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward
by Moderator on Sep.04, 2009, under Articles for discussion
Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community.
The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators. This article is the Executive Summary of Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States and permission was graciously provided by the National Academies of Science to reprint it here.
Click here to visit the article page on journal homepage (full article only available to subscribers).
September 24th, 2010 on 10:58 am
A positive first step in strengthening the forensic sciences is to establish a forensic science section in each of our state Academies of Science. At the state level, a powerful association of professional scientists and academic scientists can provide both a
nurturing (training of new scientists) and maturing (allowing an opportunity for individual scientific endeavour to be demonstrated and discussed). At the present time most state academies do not have a forensic science section and this grass-roots part of
forensic science is wanting. But as we all know, the demand by students for training and experience in the forensic sciences is prominent and country wide.
The forensic science section of a state academy of science permits 1.students and 2.faculty and 3. professional scientists provision for new and advanced
hypothesises and observations in a formal recognized manner. The state academy provides a yearly venue, a source of leadership and guidance, a method of data recording and literary authorship, and an opportunity to establish a research funding operation.
The impetus for better science in the courtroom and other forensic situations is better developed by a widespread development of state-wide associations than additional national agensice. The state academy is closer to the working base of forensic science and acts directly with the scientist. This directness is demonstrated by the lowered expenses and direct responsiveness of state associations.
State associations meet yearly as the American Academy for the Advancement of Science and manage a complete and functional enterprise whose journal is Science. A direct relationship of each state forensic science sections with the AAAS is possible.