NCJ Number
218714
Date Published
April 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
These bylaws of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) address SWGDAM's responsibilities; membership, terms, and vacancies; executive board members' responsibilities; committees empaneled by the chairman; meetings; conduct of business; and amendment of the bylaws.
Abstract
The bylaws state that the FBI Director has charged SWGDAM with recommending revisions, as necessary, to the "Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories" and the "Quality Assurance Standards for Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories." It is further stated that SWGDAM will serve as a forum for discussing, sharing, and evaluating forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and research in order to enhance forensic biology services. When necessary, SWGDAM will recommend and conduct research in order to develop and/or validate forensic biology methods. The membership of SWGDAM shall consist of an executive board and regular members. The executive board shall consist of the chairman, vice-chairman, executive secretary, and five members. Regular members shall be appointed by the chairman based on the recommendation of a membership committee. Regarding committees empanelled by the chairman, the chairman will select the members of committees. Each committee will then select a chairman and co-chairman as its first order of business by vote. Committees will report regularly to the SWGDAM membership on the status of their delegated tasks. Regarding meetings, SWGDAM shall meet at least twice a year or as the chairman directs. A majority of the members will constitute a quorum.