81 FR 41351 - Notice of Public Comment Period on the Presentation of the Forensic Science Discipline Review Framework

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)

This notice announces the opening of the public comment period on the Forensic Science Discipline Review (FSDR) of testimony draft methodology.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41351-41352]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14975]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[Docket No. OLP 158]


Notice of Public Comment Period on the Presentation of the 
Forensic Science Discipline Review Framework

AGENCY: Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the opening of the public comment period 
on the Forensic Science Discipline Review (FSDR) of testimony draft 
methodology.

DATES: Written public comment regarding the draft methodology should be 
submitted through www.regulations.gov before August 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Legal Policy, 950 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20530, by phone at 202-514-4601 
or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The goal of the Forensic Science Discipline Review (FSDR) of 
testimony is to advance the use of forensic science in the courtroom by 
understanding its use in recent cases and to facilitate any necessary 
steps to ensure that expert forensic testimony is consistent with 
scientific principles and just outcomes. In order to accomplish this 
goal, the Department is planning a Department-level review of forensic 
testimony by Department personnel beginning with an examination of FBI 
testimony. The Department proposes to review and evaluate trial 
testimony provided by FBI forensic examiners in several forensic 
disciplines in state and federal cases for a five-year period (2008-
2012). All cases in which an FBI examiner testified in these 
disciplines--and for which a transcript can be obtained--are proposed 
to be reviewed. Which disciplines will be reviewed and the order in 
which disciplines will be reviewed has not been determined, in part 
because the development of the FSDR testimonial standards, against 
which the testimony of Department personnel will be compared, is 
ongoing.
    The Department is undertaking this review because it is good 
management to conduct macro-level program reviews and not because of 
known or suspected problems with particular forensic science 
disciplines. The draft methodology proposes specific methodological 
decisions to evaluate testimony and seeks comment on additional issues. 
All elements in the draft methodology are subject to revision and 
comment is invited.
    Posting of Public Comments: To ensure proper handling of comments, 
please reference ``Docket No. OLP 158'' on all electronic and written 
correspondence. The Department encourages all comments on this draft 
methodology be submitted electronically through www.regulations.gov 
using the electronic comment form provided on that site. Paper comments 
that duplicate the electronic submission are not necessary as all 
comments submitted to www.regulations.gov will be posted for public 
review and are part of the official docket record.
    In accordance with the Federal Records Act, please note that all 
comments received are considered part of the public record, and shall 
be made available for public inspection online at www.regulations.gov. 
The comments to be posted may include personally identifiable 
information (such as your name, address, etc.) and confidential 
business information voluntarily submitted by the commenter.
    DOJ will post all comments received on www.regulations.gov without 
making any changes to the comments or redacting any information, 
including any personally identifiable information provided. It is the 
responsibility of the commenter to safeguard personally identifiable 
information. You are not required to submit personally identifying 
information in order to comment on this presentation DOJ recommends 
that commenters not include personally identifiable information such as 
Social Security Numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, and 
email addresses that they do not want made public in their comments as 
such submitted information will be available to the public via 
www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted through www.regulations.gov 
will not include the email address of the commenter unless the 
commenter chooses to

[[Page 41352]]

include that information as part of his or her comment.

    Dated: June 21, 2016.
Kira Antell,
Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-14975 Filed 6-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-18-P