NAS, PCAST and Hart House Reports Flashcards
What was the purpose of the NAS Report?
Looking at criticisms in criminal justice system about inconcsistencies in forensic sciences, looking to determing what the current status is of forensic science in the US.
When was the NAS report published?
2009
State the title of the NAS Report
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward
Outline the key points of Recommendation #1 from the NAS Report.
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- Establishing and enforcing best practices
- Establishing standards for the mandatory accreditation of forensic science labs and the mandatory certification of forensic scientists
- Promoting scholarly, competitive peer-reviewed research
- Improve forensic science research
- Efficient allocation of available funds
- Funding independent research projects and educational programs
- Overseeing education standards and the accreditation of forensic science programs in colleges/universities
- Introduction of new technologies in forensic investigations
Why is UofT not accredited?
Forensic programs in other schools were built around the accreditation standards, while UofT’s was established before these standards. Harder to adapt
Give examples of accrediting bodies.
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NIST, ISO, ASCLAT
Outline recommendation #2 from the NAS Report.
NIFS should establish standard terminology, model lab reports and be required to utilize model lab reports
Outline the key points of recommendation #3 of the NAS Report.
4
Research is needed to address the issues of accuracy, reliability and validity in the forensic science disciplines. Research in following categories:
* Studies establishing scientific bases demonstrating validity of methods
* Quantifiable measures of the reliability and accuracy of analyses, establish limits of reliability and accuracy that methods can be expected to achieve, be peer reviewed and published in respected scientific journals
* Develop quantifiable measures of uncertainty
How is reliability ensured in forensic sciences?
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- External bodies for training to standards
- Ongoing, effective training
- Proficiency testing
- Blind verifications
- Case reviews, presentations
Outline recommendation #4 from the NAS Report.
Improve scientific bases of forensic science examinations and remove all public forensic labs and facilities from the administrative control of law enforcement agencies or prosecutors’ offices.
Outline recommendation #5 of the NAS Report.
NIFS should encourage research programs on human observer bias and sources of human error in forensic examinations and develop standard operating procedures to minimize potential bias and sources of human error.
Outline recommendation #6 of the NAS Report.
Congress should authorize and appropriate funds to NIFS to work with NIST and in consultation with SWGs, to develop tools for advancing measurement, validation, reliability, info sharing, and proficiency testing in forensic sciences and to establish protocols for forensic exams, methods, and practices.
Outline recommendation #7 of the NAS Report.
Lab accreditation and individual certification of forensic science professionals should be mandatory.
Outline recommendation #8 from the NAS Report.
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Forensic labs should establish routine quality assurance and QC procedures.
QC procedures should be designed to ID mistakes, fraud and bias; confirm the continued validity and reliability of standard operating procedures and protocols.
Outline recommendation #9 of the NAS Report.
NIFS should establish a national code of ethics with mechanisms of enforcement
Outline recommendation #10 of the NAS Report.
To atrract students in physical and life sciences, develop graduate education programs designed to cut across boundaries and by developing and improving research methods.
Outline the key points recommendation #11 of the NAS Report.
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Improve medicolegal death investigation system by:
* Replacing and eliminating coroner systems with ME systems
* Support research, education and training in FP
* Establish a SWG for FP and MLDI, which will develop and promote standards for best practices, administration, staffing, education, training, CE
* All ME offices should be accredited
* All federal funding should be restricted to accredited offices
* All medicolegal autopsies should be performed or supervised by a board-certified FP
Outline recommendation #12 of the NAS Report.
Launch a new broad-based effort to achieve nationwide fingerprint data interoperability