FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE - SUMMARY REPORT OF A SPECIAL NATIONAL WORKSHOP

• NCJ Number: 56852
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 127 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-022-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University Research Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: WORKSHOP HELD IN KENNER, LOUISIANA, MARCH 22-23, 1978

Annotation

IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES AND THE NEED FOR AN INTERDISCIPLINARY EXCHANGE AMONG USERS AND PROVIDERS, LEAA SPONSORED A NATIONAL WORKSHOP. PAPERS AND DISCUSSIONS ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

THE SIX WORKSHOP PAPERS WERE WRITTEN FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE POLICE, PROSECUTION, DEFENSE, JUDICIARY, EDUCATION, AND FORENSIC SCIENCE. THEY ADDRESS THESE ISSUES: COMMUNICATION AMONG FORENSIC SCIENTISTS AND LEGAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS; ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS (PLACEMENT OF FORENSIC LABORATORIES IN POLICE AGENCIES IN PARTICULAR); FAIRNESS IN TERMS OF A PERCEIVED TENDENCY FOR EXPERT WITNESSES TO IDENTIFY SOLELY WITH THE SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY OF THE EVIDENCE ITSELF; PERSONNEL EDUCATION AND TRAINING; AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES TO PROVIDE RELIABLE FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS; COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF SCIENTIFIC SERVICES; AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION. GROUP DISCUSSIONS CENTERED ON POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF INTERACTION AMONG FORENSIC SCIENTISTS AND THEIR CLIENTS, AND THE SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS MADE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKSHOPS AT THE REGIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS; STATE-OF-THE-ART LETTERS AND MANUALS FOR ATTORNEYS AND POLICE OFFICERS ADVISING THEM OF THE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES; FORENSIC SCIENCE REFERRAL SERVICES, AND MANDATORY PRETRIAL CONFERENCES. FLEXIBLE, CONCEPTUAL MODELS OF LABORATORY SYSTEMS ARE NEEDED THAT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT VARIATIONS IN SPACE, EQUIPMENT, AND PERSONNEL. DISCUSSION GROUPS AGREED THAT A STRONG NATIONAL POLICY ALONG WITH ADEQUATE FUNDING WILL ENABLE THE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS BASIC PROBLEMS OF COMPETENCY, MANAGEMENT, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF FORENSIC SCIENTISTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH FUNCTION BE PLACED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CRIME LABORATORY, THAT COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF FORENSIC STRATEGIES BE RESEARCHED, AND THAT FORENSIC RESOURCES BE CENTRALIZED IN A FACILITY ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE WHO NEED INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE. A UNIFYING THEME WAS THE NEED FOR STANDARDS IN THE FIELD THAT WOULD TRANSCEND JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES AND UPGRADE THE FIELD AND ENSURE UNIFORMITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.