WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department issued draft guidance last Friday for forensic experts at the FBI and other of its component agencies.
The documents are meant to clarify what forensic experts can and not say while testifying at trial or preparing scientific reports.
The announcement follows concerns about forensic sciences practiced at the department, which last year revealed that experts had overstated the strength of evidence involving microscopic hair analysis in cases dating back decades. The FBI and Justice Department last year pledged a review of laboratory protocols and procedures following the discovery of flawed forensics testimony in hundreds of older criminal cases involving microscopic hair analysis.
In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates described forensic science as critical in identifying suspects of a crime and of clearing the innocent.
"Once finalized and adopted, these guidance documents will clarify what scientific statements our forensic experts may - and may not - use when testifying in court and in drafting reports, in turn strengthening the integrity of our system overall," she said.
The draft guidance covers seven forensic science disciplines, including drug and chemical analysis, body fluid testing, latent fingerprints and toxicology. It will apply to Justice Department personnel at component agencies including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
A second round of proposals planned for later this year will cover DNA, hair analysis, explosives and other subjects.
The documents are available for public comment through July 8.
Published: Tue, Jun 07, 2016
