A resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Forensic Science Week.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 722 Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Forensic Science Week. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. RISCH, Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. GRASSLEY) 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 questions in civil and criminal investigations and trials in the United States, including by providing scientific con- clusions relating to forensic evidence; Whereas forensic science service providers partner with— VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:06 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR722.ATS SR722 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 722 ATS (1) Federal agencies to build and maintain criminal databases relating to latent prints, DNA, and other infor- mation relevant to criminal cases; and (2) Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure pub- lic safety; Whereas forensic science service providers serve a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientific in- formation to investigators and officers of the court; and Whereas the fourth week in September 2020 is recognized as ‘‘National Forensic Science Week’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 2 Forensic Science Week; and 3 (2) recognizes that National Forensic Science 4 Week provides a special opportunity for— 5 (A) forensic science service providers to— 6 (i) acknowledge the contributions of 7 forensic scientists in the laboratories in 8 which those individuals work; 9 (ii) organize community events to en- 10 courage a better understanding of forensic 11 science; 12 (iii) provide tours to Federal, State, 13 and local policymakers to assist those indi- 14 viduals in gaining better insight into the 15 current capabilities of forensic science serv- 16 ice providers and the future demands that 17 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:06 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR722.ATS SR722 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 722 ATS forensic science service providers will face; 1 and 2 (iv) contact local media outlets and in- 3 vite those groups to cover events hosted 4 during National Forensic Science Week; 5 (B) local policymakers to— 6 (i) recognize, through formal com- 7 mendation or resolution, the contributions 8 of local forensic science laboratories to the 9 communities of those policymakers; 10 (ii) formally declare the fourth week 11 of September 2020 to be ‘‘National Foren- 12 sic Science Week’’ by proclamation; 13 (iii) visit local forensic science labora- 14 tories to gain an understanding of the ca- 15 pabilities and needs of those laboratories; 16 and 17 (iv) discuss the operational needs of 18 State and local forensic science labora- 19 tories; 20 (C) individuals in the United States, in- 21 cluding members of the media, to— 22 (i) attend community events spon- 23 sored by local forensic science laboratories; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:06 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR722.ATS SR722 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 722 ATS (ii) take tours of local forensic science 1 laboratories; and 2 (iii) ask local forensic science labora- 3 tories about the operational and legislative 4 needs of those laboratories; 5 (D) members of the media to highlight 6 local news stories that focus on the work of 7 local forensic science laboratories in the commu- 8 nities that those laboratories serve; and 9 (E) public safety officers, law enforcement 10 officers, and officers of the court to— 11 (i) attend community events spon- 12 sored by local forensic science laboratories; 13 (ii) take tours of local forensic science 14 laboratories; 15 (iii) discuss the operational needs of 16 State and local forensic science labora- 17 tories; and 18 (iv) engage with local forensic science 19 laboratories about working together more 20 effectively. 21 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:06 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR722.ATS SR722 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS