WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police is committed to supporting federal legislation and programs that seek to improve quality and timeliness of forensic laboratory services; and

WHEREAS, the forensic sciences application of advanced technology is instrumental in the successful apprehension and prosecution of criminals and exoneration of the innocent; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of the nation's forensic science services are delivered by state and local government agencies; and

WHEREAS, a major source of funding for state and local laboratories for non-DNA forensic disciplines is the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Act created in December 2000 to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice and other purposes with an authorized funding under the Justice For All Act at $35,000,000 currently has no money allocated; and

WHEREAS, due to significant funding deficiencies, forensic science laboratories at the local and state level are experiencing significant caseload backlogs that severely impact the timeliness of examinations critical to solving crimes; and

WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies significantly limit the abilities of local and state forensic service providers to acquire modern technology, provide adequate training, and provide forensic analyses in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies can impede the ability of local and state forensic service providers to attain professional accreditation; and

WHEREAS, while funding has remained at existing levels or cut, there has been a vast growth in the types and amount of requests for forensic testing being made to state and local forensic laboratories including synthetic drugs, cellular phone and computer forensic examinations and other non-DNA forensic services; and

WHEREAS, no sustainable funding source exists for non-DNA forensic disciplines such as digital evidence, controlled substances, toxicology and firearms; and

WHEREAS, the inability of all local and state forensic service providers to become accredited and to meet the ever-increasing demand for services provides a major obstacle to the timely and effective administration of justice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 120th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fully supports and strongly encourages funding non-DNA forensic services by funding the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Act at the full $35 million.

Submitted by: Forensic Science Committee

FSC.015.T13