Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013 - Establishes a national forensic science research program to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences.
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to develop a report identifying the most critical forensic science disciplines that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines and making recommendations.
Establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate among federal agencies: (1) the development of a unified federal research strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines; (2) the development of a five-year roadmap, updated triennially, for the unified strategy; and (3) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the roadmap.
Directs NSF to award forensic science basic research grants to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the United States, consistent with NSF's mission and the recommendations in the unified strategy.
Requires NSF to: (1) award grants to support one or more forensic science research centers to conduct research consistent with the unified strategy and with NSF's mission, and (2) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its full portfolio of forensic science research and education grants every four years.
Authorizes a federal department, agency, or office to assist in satisfying the research needs and priorities identified in the unified federal research strategy by using specified prizes and challenges under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 or any other federal law.
Requires the NIST to: (1) conduct research supporting the development and dissemination of methods, standards, and technical guidance for forensic science measurements, and (2) identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities.
Directs NIST to establish a Forensic Science Advisory Committee to provide advice to federal agencies, NIST, and the Department of Justice.
Directs the Attorney General to promote the adoption of the standards developed under this Act.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3064 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3064
To establish scientific standards and protocols across forensic
disciplines, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 9, 2013
Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas (for herself and Mr. Veasey)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on the
Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish scientific standards and protocols across forensic
disciplines, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Forensic Science
and Standards Act of 2013''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. National forensic science research program.
Sec. 5. Forensic science research at the National Science Foundation.
Sec. 6. Forensic science research challenges.
Sec. 7. Forensic science standards and research at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
Sec. 8. Forensic Science Advisory Committee.
Sec. 9. Adoption, accreditation, and certification.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) at the direction of Congress, the National Academy of
Sciences led a comprehensive review of the state of forensic
science and issued its findings in a 2009 report,
``Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path
Forward'';
(2) the report's findings indicate the need for independent
scientific research to support the foundation of forensic
disciplines;
(3) the report stresses the need for standards in methods,
data interpretation, and reporting, and the importance of
preventing cognitive bias and mitigating human factors; and
(4) according to the report, forensic science research is
not financially well supported, and there is a need for a
unified strategy for developing a forensic science research
plan across Federal agencies.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the Forensic Science Advisory Committee established under
section 8.
(2) Coordinating office.--The term ``Coordinating Office''
means the National Forensic Science Coordinating Office
established under section 4.
(3) Forensic science.--The term ``forensic science'' means
the basic and applied scientific research applicable to the
collection, evaluation, and analysis of physical evidence,
including digital evidence, for use in investigations and legal
proceedings, including all tests, methods, measurements, and
procedures.
(4) Standards development organization.--The term
``standards development organization'' means a domestic or an
international organization that plans, develops, establishes,
or coordinates voluntary consensus standards using procedures
that incorporate openness, a balance of interests, consensus,
due process, and an appeals process.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be a national forensic science
research program to improve, expand, and coordinate Federal research in
the forensic sciences.
(b) National Academies Report on Forensic Science.--The Director of
the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Academies to develop, not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, a report that--
(1) identifies the most critical forensic science
disciplines, which may include forensic pathology and digital
forensics, that require further research to strengthen the
scientific foundation in those disciplines;
(2) makes recommendations regarding research that will help
strengthen the scientific foundation in the forensic science
disciplines identified under paragraph (1); and
(3) makes recommendations regarding the mix of funding
mechanisms that might be most effective at advancing the
research identified in paragraph (2).
(c) National Forensic Science Coordinating Office.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established a National
Forensic Science Coordinating Office, with a director and full
time staff, to be located at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. The Director of the Coordinating
Office shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of
this subsection.
(2) Unified federal research strategy.--The Coordinating
Office shall coordinate among relevant Federal departments,
agencies, or offices--
(A) the development of a unified Federal research
strategy that--
(i) specifies and prioritizes the research
necessary to enhance the validity and
reliability of the forensic science
disciplines; and
(ii) is consistent with the recommendations
in the National Academies report on forensic
science under subsection (b);
(B) the development of a 5-year roadmap, updated
triennially thereafter, for the unified Federal
research strategy under subparagraph (A) that includes
a description of--
(i) which department, agency, or office
will carry out each specific element of the
unified Federal research strategy;
(ii) short-term and long-term priorities
and objectives; and
(iii) common metrics and other evaluation
criteria that will be used to assess progress
toward achieving the priorities and objectives
under clause (ii); and
(C) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets
to support the implementation of the roadmap under
subparagraph (B).
(3) Annual report.--The Coordinating Office shall submit an
annual report to Congress, not later than 90 days after the
submission of the President's annual budget request, that
includes the budget for the program established under this
section for each agency that participates in the program,
including for all activities pursuant to sections 5, 6, and 7.
(4) Deadlines.--The Coordinating Office shall submit to
Congress--
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the unified Federal research
strategy under paragraph (2)(A);
(B) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the initial 5-year roadmap under
paragraph (2)(B); and
(C) not later than 1 month after the date it is
updated, each updated 5-year roadmap under paragraph
(2)(B).
SEC. 5. FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.
(a) Grants.--The National Science Foundation shall award forensic
science basic research grants to improve the foundation and practice of
forensic science in the United States, consistent with the Foundation's
mission and the recommendations in the unified Federal research
strategy under section 4.
(b) Merit Review.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded
on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
(c) Forensic Science Research Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall award grants to support one or more forensic
science research centers--
(A) to conduct research consistent with the unified
Federal research strategy under section 4 and with the
Foundation's mission;
(B) to help build relationships between forensic
science practitioners and members of the research
community;
(C) to encourage and promote the education and
training of a diverse group of people to be leaders in
the interdisciplinary field of forensic science; and
(D) to broadly disseminate the results of the
research under subparagraph (A).
(2) Limitation on use of funds.--No funds authorized under
this section may be used to construct or renovate a building or
structure.
(3) Reports.--Each forensic science research center shall
submit an annual report to the Director of the National Science
Foundation, at such time and in such manner as the Director may
require, that contains a description of the activities the
center carried out with the funds received under this section.
(d) Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its full
portfolio of forensic science research and education grants
every 4 years--
(A) to determine whether the research supported
under the grants is contributing to the objectives of
improving the foundation and practice of forensic
science in the United States; and
(B) to evaluate the extent to which the research is
contributing toward the priorities and objectives
described in the roadmap under section 4(c)(2)(B).
(2) Report to congress.--The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall report to Congress the results of each
comprehensive evaluation under paragraph (1).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this
section--
(1) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
(2) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
(4) $43,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and
(5) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
SEC. 6. FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH CHALLENGES.
(a) Prizes and Challenges.--
(1) In general.--A Federal department, agency, or office
may assist in satisfying the research needs and priorities
identified in the unified Federal research strategy under
section 4 by using prizes and challenges under section 24 of
the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15
U.S.C. 3719) or under any other provision of law, as
appropriate.
(2) Purposes.--The purpose of a prize or challenge under
this section, among other possible purposes, may be--
(A) to determine or develop the best data
collection practices or analytical methods to evaluate
a specific type of forensic data; or
(B) to determine the accuracy of an analytical
method.
(b) Forensic Evidence Prizes and Challenges.--
(1) In general.--A Federal department, agency, or office,
or multiple Federal departments, agencies, or offices in
cooperation, carrying out a prize or challenge under this
section--
(A) may establish a prize advisory board; and
(B) shall consult with the Advisory Committee on
the appropriateness of the prize or challenge to
satisfy the research needs and priorities identified in
the unified Federal research strategy under section 4.
(2) Samples.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology or the Department of Justice shall provide or
contract with a non-Federal party to prepare a sufficient set
of samples, including associated digital data that could be
shared without limitation and physical specimens that could be
shared with qualified parties, for purposes of a prize or
challenge.
(3) Fingerprint data interoperability.--At least 1 prize or
challenge under this section shall be focused on achieving
nationwide fingerprint data interoperability if the prize
advisory board, the Coordinating Office, or a Federal
department, agency, or office identifies an area where a prize
or challenge will assist in satisfying a strategy related to
this issue.
SEC. 7. FORENSIC SCIENCE STANDARDS AND RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall--
(A) conduct research supporting the development and
dissemination of methods, standards, and technical
guidance for forensic science measurements;
(B) identify or coordinate the development of
forensic science standards to enhance the validity and
reliability of forensic science activities, including--
(i) authoritative methods, standards, and
technical guidance, including protocols and
best practices, for forensic measurements,
analysis, and interpretation;
(ii) technical standards for products and
services used by forensic science
practitioners;
(iii) standard content, terminology, and
parameters to be used in reporting and
testifying on the results and interpretation of
forensic science measurements, tests, and
procedures; and
(iv) standards to provide for the
interoperability of forensic science-related
technology and databases; and
(C) test and validate existing forensics standards,
measurements, and methods as appropriate.
(2) Consultation.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out its
responsibilities under paragraph (1), the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall consult
with--
(i) standards development organizations and
other stakeholders, including relevant Federal
departments, agencies, and offices; and
(ii) testing laboratories and accreditation
bodies.
(3) Prioritization.--When prioritizing its responsibilities
under paragraph (1), the National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall consider--
(A) the unified Federal research strategy under
section 4; and
(B) the recommendations of any expert working group
under subsection (b).
(4) Report to congress.--The Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall report every 2
years, not later than 90 days after the submission of the
President's budget request, to Congress on the progress in
carrying out the National Institute of Standards and
Technology's responsibilities under paragraph (1).
(b) Expert Working Groups.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology may establish one or more discipline-
specific expert working groups to identify gaps, areas of need,
and opportunities for standards development with respect to
forensic science. Each working group shall balance scientific
rigor with practical and regulatory constraints.
(2) Members.--A member of an expert working group shall--
(A) be appointed by the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology; and
(B) have significant academic, research, or
practical expertise in a discipline of forensic science
or in another area relevant to the purpose of the
expert working group.
(3) Federal advisory committee act.--An expert working
group established under this subsection shall not be subject to
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to
carry out this section--
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
(4) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and
(5) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
SEC. 8. FORENSIC SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and the Attorney General, in consultation with
the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall establish a
Forensic Science Advisory Committee.
(b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall provide advice to--
(1) the Federal departments, agencies, and offices
implementing the unified Federal research strategy under
section 4;
(2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
including recommendations regarding the National Institute of
Standards and Technology's responsibilities under section 7;
and
(3) the Department of Justice, including recommendations
regarding the Department of Justice's responsibilities under
section 9.
(c) Subcommittees.--The Advisory Committee may form subcommittees
related to specific disciplines in forensic science or as necessary to
further its duties under subsection (b). A subcommittee may include an
individual who is not a member of the Advisory Committee.
(d) Chairs.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology and the Attorney General, or their designees, shall co-
chair the Advisory Committee.
(e) Membership.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and the Attorney General, in consultation with
the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall appoint each
member of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall include
balanced representation between scientists with expertise relevant to
forensic sciences (including academic scientists, statisticians, social
scientists, engineers, and representatives of other related scientific
disciplines) and individuals and organizations with expertise in
applications of forensic science (including Federal, State, and local
representatives of the forensic science community, the legal community,
victim advocate organizations, and law enforcement).
(f) Administration.--The Attorney General shall provide
administrative support to the Advisory Committee.
SEC. 9. ADOPTION, ACCREDITATION, AND CERTIFICATION.
The Attorney General--
(1) shall promote the adoption of forensic science
standards developed under section 7, including--
(A) by requiring each Federal forensic laboratory
to adopt such forensic science standards;
(B) by encouraging each non-Federal forensic
laboratory to adopt such forensic science standards;
and
(C) by disseminating any recommendations made by
the Advisory Committee for adoption and implementation
of forensic science standards;
(2) shall promote the development of minimum training,
accreditation, and certification requirements based on the
forensic science standards developed under section 7 and any
recommendations made by the Advisory Committee;
(3) shall issue guidance concerning the intersection of
forensic science and the courtroom; and
(4) may require the adoption of the forensic science
standards as a condition of Federal funding or for inclusion in
national data sets.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line