AG Sessions to Appoint Forensic Science Adviser

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Monday that that Department of Justice would appoint an adviser to oversee forensic science and how the agency handles it.

The agency will assess forensic science laboratories, including "workload, backlog, personnel and equipment needs of public crime laboratories and the needs of academic and non-traditional forensic science practitioners," the statement said.

The Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety will improve reliability and make reporting of results more specific, according to the statement.

"The availability of prompt and accurate forensic science analysis to our law enforcement officers and prosecutors is critical to integrity in law enforcement, reducing violent crime, and increasing public safety," Sessions said.

A notice will be in the Federal Register until June 9, looking for the public to comment on ways for the Department of Justice to "strengthen the foundations of forensic science."

The statement also announced that he would not renew the National Commission on Forensic Science, a panel of scientists, judges, crime lab leaders, prosecutors, and defense lawyers that had around 30 members, according to The Washington Post.

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