Improving Forensic Science In The Criminal Justice System

Improving Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System

Dynamism in Criminal Justice System: A Way Forward

Improving Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System

We are going to reconsider the important issue of how best to ensure the effectiveness and scientific integrity of forensic evidence used in criminal cases. The National Academy of Sciences published a report in February 2009 asserting that the field of forensic science has significant problems that urgently need to be addressed. I did not then and do not now view the Academy's report as the final word on this issue but, rather, as a starting point for a searching review of the state of forensic science in the country. In the past several years, we have seen a continuing stream of exonerations of people convicted of serious crimes, some because of mistakes of counsel, but also some, too many, because of flawed forensic evidence. It has long been clear that action is necessary to ensure improved support for forensic science and meaningful national standards.