Term 1 - Meetings 1-7

Meeting One | Meeting Two | Meeting Three | Meeting Four | Meeting Five | Meeting Six | Meeting Seven 

Meeting One

The first meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held February 3 - 4, 2014 in Washington, DC. On February 3, the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. The meeting began with communicating administrative, operational, and procedural information to the Commission members. Welcoming remarks were delivered by the co-chairs, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick D. Gallagher. Dr. John Holdren, Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy also provided welcoming remarks to the Commission. The afternoon included presentations from Judge Harry Edwards on reflections from the NRC report on "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States" and Matt DuRose of the Bureau of Justice Statistics on the Census of Publicly Funded Crime Laboratories. Background presentations on accreditation, certification, proficiency testing, and research were also provided to the Commission. The afternoon closed with a one-hour public comment period on potential issues for the Commission's consideration.

On February 4, 2014, the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. The Commissioners received background information on standards in forensic science and an update from NIST on the Organization of Scientific Advisory Committees. The Commissioners then discussed the establishment of priorities and potential subcommittees. The afternoon closed with a one-hour public comment period.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

The second meeting of the NCFS was held on May 12, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and May 13, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Office of Justice Programs located at 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC. The meeting was open to the public and webcast. On May 12, the Commission explored issues of cognitive bias and ethics in forensic science. On May 13, the Commission received reports from the following subcommittees: Accreditation and Proficiency Testing; Interim Solutions; Medico-legal Death Investigation; Reporting and Testimony; Scientific Inquiry and Research; and Training on Science and Law. A session to discuss next steps was facilitated by Co-Chairs Deputy Attorney General James Cole and the Director of NIST, Patrick Gallagher. NIST also delivered an update on the Organization of Scientific Area Committees. Each business day concluded with a public comment period.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

The third meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held August 26-27, 2014 in Washington, DC. The meeting was open to the public and webcast.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

Meeting Four

The fourth meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held October 28-29 in Washington, DC. The meeting was open to the public and webcast.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

Meeting Five

The fifth meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held January 29 – 30, 2015 in Washington, DC.  The meeting was open to the public and webcast.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

Agenda
Webcast of Meeting Five
Meeting Materials
Meeting Summary

Meeting Six

The sixth meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held April 30 – May 1, 2015 in Washington, DC.  The meeting was open to the public and webcast.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

Meeting Seven

The seventh meeting of the National Commission on Forensic Science was held August 10 - 11, 2015 in Washington, DC.  The meeting was open to the public and webcast.

Federal Register Notice of Meeting

Agenda
Meeting Materials
Webcast of Meeting Seven
Meeting Summary