© Lawrence Bryant / Reuters
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered an end to an independent panel that sought to raise scientific standards in forensics and has suspended a Justice Department review of systemic flaws in FBI forensic expert court testimony.
On Monday, just before the panel's expiration date, Sessions announced that he would not renew the National Commission on Forensic Science - a
partnership between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The commission, which aims to "improve the reliability of forensic science," is made up of about 30 scientists, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officials and forensic experts on the federal, state and local levels.
"The availability of prompt and accurate forensic science analysis to our law enforcement officers and prosecutors is critical to integrity in law enforcement, reducing violent crime, and increasing public safety," Sessions said in a
statement. "We applaud the professionalism of the National Commission on Forensic Science and look forward to building on the contributions it has made in this crucial field."
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