FORENSIC SCIENCES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - FINAL REPORT PERIOD MAY 24, 1976-SEPTEMBER 30, 1977

• NCJ Number: 64946
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 364 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76NI-99-0101
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Forensic Sciences Foundation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GOALS, ACTIVITIES, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, FUNDED BY LEAA, ARE DISCUSSED; COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION ARE EMPHASIZED.

Abstract

THERE IS A GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPETENCE IN THE FORENSIC SCIENCES WORKFORCE. THE GOAL OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO ATTAIN THIS OBJECTIVE THROUGH CERTIFICATION, CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND RECERTIFICATION EFFORTS. THIS REPORT FOCUSES ON THE FIRST STEP, CERTIFICATION. THE GOAL CAN ONLY BE FULLY SATISFIED THROUGH COMPLETION OF ALL THREE OBJECTIVES AND THROUGH THE EVENTUAL PUBLICATION OF A DIRECTORY WHICH WILL PROVIDE TO THE COURTS AN INCREASED NUMBER OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED EXPERT WITNESSES AND A MEANS TO IDENTIFY THEM. THE PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY CONSTITUTED TO FACILITATE THE DELIBERATION, RESEARCH STRUCTURING, AND FIELD-TESTING EFFORTS OF EIGHT FORENSIC SCIENCE CERTIFICATION PLANNING COMMITTEES BY PROVIDING EACH COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE. ASSISTANCE INCLUDED RESEARCH SUPPORT, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, THE MEANS TO CONDUCT TWO WORKING RESEARCH PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS PER COMMITTEE, AND THE CAPABILITY TO PROMULGATE RESEARCH FINDINGS, INFORMATION, AND INSTRUCTIONS. UNDER THE GRANT, PLANNING COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED. FIVE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO A BOARD STRUCTURE; FORMAL INTRADISCIPLINE DIALOGUE HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD; AND FORMULATIONS OF AND RESEARCH ON VARIOUS CONCEPTS FOR CERTIFICATION ARE UNDERWAY IN SIX DISCIPLINES. THREE OF THESE DISCIPLINES, FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY, FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, AND FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY, HAVE PROGRESSED TO THE POINT OF IMPLEMENTING MODEST CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS. DURING THE GRANT PERIOD, JURISPRUDENCE AND ACCREDITATION OF CRIME LABORATORIES WERE DELETED FROM LEAA FUNDING, REDUCING THE PLANNING GROUPS TO SIX. THE DIRECTORY OF EXPERTS CONTAINING 78 ENTRIES IS AVAILABLE FOR NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION AS OF JANUARY 1978. APPENDIXES ARE PROVIDED IN THE FINAL REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LWM).