[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12355-12356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04140]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[Docket No. OLP 153]


Notice of Establishment of the National Commission on Forensic 
Science and Solicitation of Applications for Commission Membership

AGENCY: Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment and Solicitation of Applications for 
Membership.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 
the Attorney General will be establishing the National Commission on 
Forensic Science. This notice establishes criteria and procedures for 
the selection of members.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before March 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: All applications should be submitted to: Armando Bonilla by 
email at [email protected] or by mail at Department of 
Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave NW., Room 4313, Washington, DC 20530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Armando Bonilla by email at 
[email protected] or by mail at Department of Justice, 950 
Pennsylvania Ave NW., Room 4313, Washington, DC 20530.

[[Page 12356]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background and Authority: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), the Attorney General 
will be establishing the National Commission on Forensic Science 
(``Commission''). The Attorney General has determined that the 
Commission is necessary and in the public interest.
    The Commission will recommend strategies for enhancing quality 
assurance in forensic science units. The duties of the Commission will 
include: (a) Recommending priorities for standards development; (b) 
reviewing and recommending endorsement of guidance identified or 
developed by subject-matter experts; (c) developing proposed guidance 
concerning the intersection of forensic science and the courtroom; (d) 
developing policy recommendations, including a uniform code of 
professional responsibility and minimum requirements for training, 
accreditation and/or certification; and (e) identifying and assessing 
the current and future needs of the forensic sciences to strengthen 
their disciplines and meet growing demand.
    Structure: The Commission will be co-chaired by the Department of 
Justice and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Members 
will be appointed by the Attorney General in consultation with the 
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the 
co-chairs of the Commission. Members will be selected to achieve a 
diversity of experiences, including Federal, State, and Local forensic 
science service providers; research scientists and academicians; 
Federal, State, Local prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges; law 
enforcement; and other relevant stakeholders. DOJ encourages 
submissions from diverse applicants with respect to backgrounds, 
professions, ethnicities, gender, and geography. The Commission shall 
consist of approximately 30 members. Members will serve without 
compensation. The Commission will generally meet four times each year 
at approximately three-month intervals.
    Applications: Any qualified person may apply to be considered for 
appointment to this advisory committee. Each application should 
include: (1) A resume or curriculum vitae; (2) a statement of interest 
describing the applicant's relevant experience; (3) a letter of 
recommendation; and (4) a statement of support from the applicant's 
employer. Potential candidates may be asked to provide detailed 
information as necessary regarding financial interests, employment, and 
professional affiliations to evaluate possible sources of conflicts of 
interest.
    The application period will remain open through March 25, 2013. The 
applications must be sent in one complete package, by paper or email, 
to Armando Bonilla (contact information above). If an application is 
submitted electronically, please title the subject line of the email, 
``NCFS Membership 2013.'' Other sources, in addition to the Federal 
Register notice, may be utilized in the solicitation of applications.

    Dated: February 19, 2013.
Elana Tyrangiel,
Acting Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-04140 Filed 2-21-13; 8:45 am]
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