S.Res. 656 – Reading Mode

III

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 656

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 27, 2018

Mr. Crapo (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Forensic Science Week.

Whereas the Senate is committed to the use of forensic science in the investigation of crimes, the prosecution and conviction of the correct perpetrators of crimes, and the exoneration of innocent individuals falsely accused of crimes in the United States;

Whereas forensic science service providers address critical criminal and civil questions in the United States, including by providing scientific conclusions relating to forensic evidence;

Whereas forensic science service providers partner with—

(1)

Federal agencies to build and maintain criminal databases relating to latent prints, DNA, and other information relevant to criminal cases; and

(2)

Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure public safety;

Whereas forensic science service providers serve a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientific information to investigators and officers of the court; and

Whereas the third week in September is recognized as National Forensic Science Week: Now, therefore, be it

That—

(1)

it is the sense of the Senate that National Forensic Science Week provides a special opportunity for—

(A)

forensic service providers to—

(i)

recognize the contributions of forensic scientists in the laboratories in which those individuals work;

(ii)

organize community events to encourage a better understanding of forensic science;

(iii)

provide tours to Federal, State, and local policymakers to assist those individuals in gaining better insight into the current capabilities of forensic service providers and future demands that forensic service providers will face; and

(iv)

contact local media outlets and invite those groups to cover events hosted during National Forensic Science Week;

(B)

local policymakers to—

(i)

recognize, through formal commendation or resolution, the contributions of local forensic science laboratories to the communities of those policymakers;

(ii)

formally declare the third week of September to be Forensic Science Week by proclamation;

(iii)

visit local forensic science laboratories to gain an understanding of the capabilities and needs of those laboratories; and

(iv)

discuss the operational needs of State and local forensic science laboratories;

(C)

members of communities in the United States, including members of the media, to—

(i)

attend community events sponsored by local forensic science laboratories;

(ii)

take tours of local forensic science laboratories; and

(iii)

ask local forensic science laboratories about the operational and legislative needs of those laboratories;

(D)

members of the media to highlight local news stories that focus on the work of local forensic science laboratories in the communities that those laboratories serve; and

(E)

public safety officers, law enforcement officers, and officers of the court to—

(i)

attend community events sponsored by local forensic science laboratories;

(ii)

take tours of local forensic science laboratories;

(iii)

discuss the operational needs of State and local forensic science laboratories; and

(iv)

engage local forensic science laboratories regarding working together more effectively; and

(2)

the Senate supports the goals and ideals of National Forensic Science Week.