Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward

Box 2-2

FY 2007 NIJ Awards for Forensic Science Research and Development

Biometric Technologies

Automatic Finger print Matching Using Extended Feature Set, Michigan State University, $260,038

Selective Feature-Based Quality Measure Plug-In for Iris Recognition System, Indiana University, $84,858

Site-Adaptive Face Recognition at a Distance, General Electric Co., $496,341

Forensic DNA Research and Development

A Low-Cost Microfluidic Microarray Instrument for Typing Y-Chromosome Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), Akonni Biosystems, Inc., $448,466

A Rapid, Efficient and Effective Assay to Determine Species Origin in Biological Materials, Bode Technology Group, Inc., $170,212

DNA Profiling of the Semen Donor in Extended Interval Post-Coital Samples, University of Central Florida, $271,504

Microfabricated Capillary Array Electrophoresis Genetic Analysis for Forensic Short Tandem Repeat DNA Profiling, Regents of the University of California, $592,183

National Institute of Justice Forensic DNA Research and Development, Network Biosystems, Inc., $497,346

National Institute of Justice Forensic DNA Research and Development in Vermont for Fiscal Year 2007,Vermont Department of Public Safety, $112,481

Population Genetics of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) for Forensic Purposes, Yale University, $680,516

Sperm Capture Using Aptamer-Based Technology, Denver, City and County of, $370,813

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Numerous professional organizations are focused on the forensic science disciplines (see Box 2-3). The Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations, founded in 2000, includes the largest of these organizations—the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), ASCLD, ASCLD/LAB, IAI, NAME, and Forensic Quality Services (FQS).

AAFS, with 6,000 members worldwide, was founded in 1948. It created and supports the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board, which accredits

Table of Contents

Front Matter R1-R20

Summary 1-34

1 Introduction 35-54

2 The Forensic Science Community and the Need for Integrated Governance 55-84

3 The Admission of Forensic Science Evidence in Litigation 85-110

4 The Principles of Science and Interpreting Scientific Data 111-126

5 Descriptions of Some Forensic Science Disciplines 127-182

6 Improving Methods, Practice, and Performance in Forensic Science 183-192

7 Strengthening Oversight of Forensic Science Practice 193-216

8 Education and Training in Forensic Science 217-240

9 Medical Examiner and Coroner Systems: Current and Future Needs 241-268

10 Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems 269-278

11 Homeland Security and the Forensic Science Disciplines 279-286

Appendix A: Biographical Information of Committee and Staff 287-302

Appendix B: Committee Meeting Agendas 303-314

Index 315-328

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS