NAS Report Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward Research & Education

Recommendation -1 - NIFS Promote scholarly, competitive peer-reviewed research and technical development in the forensic science disciplines and forensic medicine Develop a strategy to improve forensic science research and educational programs, including forensic pathology Oversee education standards and the accreditation of forensic science programs in colleges and universities

Recommendation - 10 Attract students to pursue graduate studies in fields critical to forensic science Authorize funds to NIFS to – work with organizations & educational institutions to improve & develop graduate programs – scholarship opportunities to attract students – Improve & develop research methods & methodologies applicable to forensic practice – attract research universities & students in fields relevant to forensic science – establish legal education programs for law students, practitioners and judges.

Recommendation - 3 Research to address issues of accuracy, reliability and validity in forensic science disciplines – Scientific basis demonstrating validity of methods – Develop & establish quantifiable measures of reliability & accuracy Reflect actual practice on realistic case scenarios Peer reviewed – Develop quantifiable measures of uncertainty in conclusions – Develop automated techniques of enhancing forensic technologies

Overview Better Educated Forensic Scientists – Backlogs growing – Increase in number of jobs Retirement/Attrition Growth in the profession – Eliminate the biases & fraud – Eliminate deficiencies stemming from apprentice-based education Focused Research – Explore the scientific basis of many forensic examinations – Identify the limitations of forensic tests – Create reasonable standards for declaring matches – Innovative solutions to forensic problems – Increase utilization of automation

Educating Forensic Scientists

Education & Training Serves 3 Purposes Prepare the next generation of forensic scientists Guarantee continuing professional development & training Educate users of forensic science services

Origins of U.S. Forensic Science Police Departments Scientists Forensic Laboratories

Education Training Apprenticeship College Degree Experience Workshops/Symposia Apprentice-based Education OJT Workshops/Symposia Mentorship Time Educating Forensic Scientists – The Traditional Approach

Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission FEPAC AAFS General Standards for all programs Undergraduate Program Standards Graduate Program Standards

Mission, Goals and Objectives Admission Requirements Curriculum Program Director Faculty Success with Respect to Student Achievement Professional Involvement FEPAC Undergraduate & Graduate Standards

FSAT Forensic Science Aptitude Test American Board of Criminalistics

Training – Continuing Education TWGED Consistent with peer-reviewed standards (SWGS) Structure Learning objectives Instructor qualifications Student requirements Detailed syllabus Performance goals Periodic assessments Competency elements

ExperienceCertificationTraining Chemistry Biology Forensic Chemistry Forensic Biology Criminalistics Quality Assurance Testimony Research Problem Solving Criminal Justice OJT Workshops/Symposia Mentorship Specific Training Programs Written Examinations Proficiency Testing Continuing Education Measuring Student Competency Student Pre-Certification Exams Regulation Oversight Education FEPAC The AAFS - ASCLD/LAB – FEPAC Model Educating Forensic Scientists

Research In Education A critical component of an appropriate forensic education – Critical Thinking & problem solving – In-depth thought about specific forensic problems Supports – faculty & student research – acquisition & maintenance of equipment & research instrumentation – laboratory renovations Research is not the accepted mission of local & state laboratories – Service organizations Premise

Research Improve & develop grad programs Offer attractive scholarships Improve research methods & methodologies Attract research universities Attract students in fields relevant to FS Recommendation – 10

Research What We Know Some forensic testing – Origins not academically based Pattern evidence – aka – experienced-based analyses – Procedures not rigorously validated – Limitations not considered closely enough – Not exposed to scientific scrutiny – Developed by practitioners to serve casework needs Courts are not an adequate gate-keeper for admission of reliable science Experienced-based match opinions are not adequate to express uniqueness of comparisons

Funding Research A Recent Example Strengths – The idea of examining latent prints in situ without the application of chemical or physical techniques is exciting – This approach is both innovative and creative – A method based solely on the topographic relief of the print is of interest – Indicates the potential for a significant contribution to the forensic community Weakness – It appears the researchers don’t feel that latent print examiners are forensic scientists. This attitude will not serve them well as they seek input from the latent print community.

NIJ funding for an individual research or development project rarely exceeds $500,000 annually, though total funding for projects requiring multiple years to complete has exceeded $1 million in some cases. Total Requested … $505,535 - $345, $357,047.00

Funding Research A Second Recent Example Strengths – The dissemination strategy is well-defined and appropriate Weakness – The dissemination strategy does not delineate what steps are suggested for NIJ to disseminate the results of the study.

Correcting Existing Deficiencies Better undergraduate & graduate programs Increased opportunities for continuing education/training Employ established scientific knowledge, principles & practice learned through formal education, training & research