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

WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies significantly limit local and state laboratories from acquiring modern technology, adequately training qualified scientists, and upgrading laboratory facilities; and

WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies stand as a major impediment to local and state forensic science laboratories efforts at attaining professional accreditation; and

WHEREAS, the inability of local and state forensic science laboratories to meet the ever-increasing demand for services and to fully attain quality assurance requirements 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 108th Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada, fully supports and strongly encourages funding for the recently enacted National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act along with a 50% increase in funding for existing forensic science programs administered by the national Institute of Justice.