82 FR 17879 - Notice of Public Comment Period on Advancing Forensic Science
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 70 (April 13, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 70 (April 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 17879-17881 | |
| FR Document | 2017-07512 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 70 (Thursday, April 13, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 17879-17881] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-07512] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [Docket No. OLP 160] Notice of Public Comment Period on Advancing Forensic Science AGENCY: Department of Justice. ACTION: Request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: It is the Department's mission to ensure public safety and provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime. Advancing the practice of forensic science is an important part of that effort. The more effective a forensic system we have, the better equipped we are to solve crimes, more swiftly absolving the innocent and bringing the guilty to justice. The second term of the National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS) is set to expire on April 23, 2017. As part of the Department's continued efforts to advance the practice of forensic science following NCFS's expiration, the Department is seeking comment on how the [[Page 17880]] Department should move forward to evaluate and improve the underlying science of forensic evidence; improve the operational management systems of forensic science service providers; and improve the understanding of forensic science by legal practitioners. DATES: Written public comment regarding the issue for comment should be submitted through www.regulations.gov before June 9, 2017. 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: In February 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced a partnership that included the formation of the National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS). The NCFS is one of several federal initiatives relating to forensic science that was created following the 2009 report by the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council on ``Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.'' NCFS was established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide advice and recommendations to the Attorney General on: (1) Strengthening the reliability and usefulness of the forensic sciences (including medicolegal death investigation); (2) enhancing quality assurance and quality control in forensic science laboratories and units; (3) identifying and recommending scientific guidance and protocols for evidence seizure, testing, analysis, and reporting by forensic science laboratories and units; and (4) identifying and assessing other needs of the forensic science communities to strengthen their disciplines and meet the increasing demands generated by the criminal and civil justice systems at all levels of government. The NCFS charter identifies six goals: (1) To recommend priorities for standards development to the Attorney General; (2) to review and recommend guidance identified or developed by subject-matter experts; (3) to develop proposed guidance concerning the intersection of forensic science and the courtroom; (4) to develop policy recommendations, including a uniform code of professional responsibility and minimum requirements for training, accreditation, and certification; (5) to consider the recommendations of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Forensic Science; and (6) to identify and assess the current and future needs of the forensic sciences to strengthen their disciplines and meet growing demands. The NCFS's supporting documents, including current charter, bylaws, and work product development guidance, are available for review at https://www.justice.gov/ncfs and https://www.justice.gov/ncfs/work-products. Federal advisory committees operate on two-year renewable terms. Term 1 for NCFS began on April 23, 2013, when the original charter was filed, and concluded on April 23, 2015. NCFS was renewed for Term 2, which expires on April 23, 2017. Over the last 3 years (as of April 9, 2017), NCFS developed 43 work products, including 20 recommendations to the Attorney General, to support these goals. The NCFS has met its initial mandate, and in light of the upcoming expiration of its charter, the Department is now considering appropriate next steps. Issue for Comment--Commenters are requested to identify proposals to: (1) Improve the underlying science and validity of forensic evidence; (2) improve the operational management systems of forensic science service providers; and (3) improve the understanding of forensic science by legal practitioners. In formulating a proposal, commenters may wish to consider the following questions: (A) What are the biggest needs in forensic science inside the Department and at the federal, state, local, and tribal level? (B) What is required to improve forensic science practices at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels? (C) What is needed to improve capacity at federal, state, local, and tribal levels? (D) What are the barriers to improving capacity and what resources are needed to overcome those barriers? (E) What are the specific issues related to digital forensic evidence analysis and how can the Department address those needs? (F) How should the Department, or any Department entity, coordinate with the Organization of Scientific Area Committees? (G) What resources and relationships can the Department draw on to ensure thoughtful and representative input? Proposals may include some combination of a Federal Advisory Committee, a new office at the Department, an inter-agency working group, regularly scheduled stakeholder meetings, etc. If the commenter believes a Federal Advisory Committee structure is appropriate, commenters are encouraged to address structural issues such as size, membership, work product development process, reporting structure (i.e., to whom recommendations are provided), opportunity for public comment, and opportunity for robust debate among members. Posting of Public Comments: To ensure proper handling of comments, please reference ``Docket No. OLP 160'' on all electronic and written correspondence. The Department encourages all comments be submitted electronically through www.regulations.gov. 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. The Department 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 and the Department 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 may be provided anonymously, but those commenters who do share contact information are requested to include brief background information regarding commenter subject-matter experience and expertise. Comments submitted through www.regulations.gov will not include the email address of the commenter unless the commenter chooses to include that information as part of his or her comment. [[Page 17881]] Dated: April 10, 2017. Kira Antell, Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy. [FR Doc. 2017-07512 Filed 4-12-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-18-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 70 / Thursday, April 13, 2017 / Notices 17879
C. If Defendants’ Antitrust or vacated, and subject to any legally VIII. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
Compliance Officer learns of any recognized privilege, from time to time This Court retains jurisdiction to
allegations of a violation of any of the authorized representatives of the United enable any party to this Final Judgment
terms and conditions contained in this States Department of Justice, including to apply to this Court at any time for
Final Judgment, Defendants shall consultants and other persons retained further orders and directions as may be
immediately investigate to determine if by the United States shall, upon written necessary or appropriate to carry out or
a violation has occurred and appropriate request of an authorized representative construe this Final Judgment, to modify
action is required to comply with this of the Assistant Attorney General in any of its provisions, to enforce
Final Judgment. If Defendants’ Antitrust charge of the Antitrust Division, and on compliance, and to punish violations of
Compliance Officer learns of any reasonable notice to Defendants, be its provisions.
violation of any of the terms and permitted:
conditions contained in this Final IX. EXPIRATION OF FINAL
1. access during Defendants’ office JUDGMENT
Judgment, Defendants shall immediately
take appropriate action to terminate or hours to inspect and copy, or at the
United States’ option, to require Unless this Court grants an extension,
modify the activity so as to comply with this Final Judgment shall expire five (5)
this Final Judgment. Defendants shall Defendants and their members to
provide copies of all books, ledgers, years from its date of entry.
report any such investigation or action
in the annual compliance statement accounts, records, and documents in X. PUBLIC INTEREST
required by Section VI(B). their possession, custody, or control, DETERMINATION
D. If Defendants’ Antitrust relating to any matters contained in this
Final Judgment; and The parties have complied with the
Compliance Officer learns any requirements of the Antitrust
Competitively Sensitive Information has 2. to interview, either informally or on Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C.
been communicated from an MVPD to the record, Defendants’ officers, § 16, including making copies available
any person identified in Sections employees, or other representatives, to the public of this Final Judgment, the
V(B)(1) and (2), excluding those who may have their individual counsel Competitive Impact Statement, and any
communications consistent with present, regarding such matters. The comments thereon and the United
Sections IV(D), (E), (F), (G) and (H), the interviews shall be subject to the States’ responses to comments. Based
Antitrust Compliance Officer shall reasonable convenience of the upon the record before the Court, which
instruct that person that he or she must interviewee and without restraint or includes the Competitive Impact
not consider the Competitively interference by Defendants. Statement and any comments and
Sensitive Information in any way, shall responses to comments filed with the
B. Upon the written request of an
advise counsel for the MVPD which Court, entry of this Final Judgment is in
authorized representative of the
communicated the Competitively the public interest.
Sensitive Information that such Assistant Attorney General in charge of
the Antitrust Division, Defendants shall SO ORDERED:
information must not be communicated
to Defendants, and report the submit written reports and interrogatory Dated:__2017
circumstances of the Communication of responses, under oath if requested, Michael W. Fitzgerald
the Competitively Sensitive Information relating to any of the matters contained United States District Judge
and the response by the Antitrust in this Final Judgment as may be [FR Doc. 2017–07463 Filed 4–12–17; 8:45 am]
Compliance Officer in the annual requested. BILLING CODE P
compliance statement required by C. No information or documents
Section VI(B). obtained by the means provided in this
section shall be divulged by the United DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
VI. CERTIFICATION
States to any person other than an [Docket No. OLP 160]
A. Within sixty (60) days after entry authorized representative of the
of this Final Judgment, Defendants shall executive branch of the United States, Notice of Public Comment Period on
certify to Plaintiff whether they have except in the course of legal proceedings Advancing Forensic Science
designated an Antitrust Compliance to which the United States is a party
Officer and have distributed the Final (including grand jury proceedings), or AGENCY: Department of Justice.
Judgment in accordance with Section for the purpose of securing compliance ACTION: Request for public comment.
V(B) above. This certification shall with this Final Judgment, or as
include the name, title, business SUMMARY: It is the Department’s mission
otherwise required by law.
address, email address, and business to ensure public safety and provide
phone number of the Person designated D. If at the time information or federal leadership in preventing and
as Antitrust Compliance Officer. documents are furnished by Defendants controlling crime. Advancing the
B. For the term of this Final Judgment, to the United States, Defendants identify practice of forensic science is an
on or before its anniversary date, in writing the material in any such important part of that effort. The more
Defendants shall file with the Plaintiff information or documents to which a effective a forensic system we have, the
an annual statement as to the fact and claim of protection may be asserted better equipped we are to solve crimes,
manner of its compliance with the under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules more swiftly absolving the innocent and
of Civil Procedure, and Defendants mark bringing the guilty to justice. The
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
provisions of Section V, including the
record(s) created in accordance with each pertinent page of such material, second term of the National
Section V(B)(4) above. ‘‘Subject to claim of protection under Commission on Forensic Science
Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of (NCFS) is set to expire on April 23,
VII. COMPLIANCE INSPECTION Civil Procedure,’’ then the United States 2017. As part of the Department’s
A. For purposes of determining or shall give ten (10) calendar days notice continued efforts to advance the
securing compliance with this Final prior to divulging such material in any practice of forensic science following
Judgment, or of determining whether legal proceeding (other than a grand jury NCFS’s expiration, the Department is
this Final Judgment should be modified proceeding). seeking comment on how the
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:51 Apr 12, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM 13APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_17949/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 70 / Thursday, April 13, 2017 / Notices 17881
Dated: April 10, 2017. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Allowable Meal Charge
Kira Antell, Among the minimum benefits and
Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy. Employment and Training
working conditions that the Department
[FR Doc. 2017–07512 Filed 4–12–17; 8:45 am] Administration
requires employers to offer their U.S.
BILLING CODE 4410–18–P
Labor Certification Process for the and H–2A workers who are not engaged
Temporary Employment of H–2A and in range occupations are three meals a
H–2B Foreign Workers in the United day or free and convenient cooking and
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE kitchen facilities so workers may
States: 2017 Allowable Charges for
Agricultural Workers’ Meals and for prepare their own meals.1 See 20 CFR
Notice of Lodging Proposed Consent
Travel Subsistence Reimbursement, 655.122(g). Where the employer
Decree
Including Lodging provides the meals, the job offer must
In accordance with Departmental state the charge, if any, to the worker for
AGENCY: Employment and Training such meals. Id.
Policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby Administration, Department of Labor.
given that a proposed Consent Decree in The Department establishes the
ACTION: Notice. methodology for determining the
United States v. Georgia Coastal Land
Co., et al., No. 2:16–cv–00060–LGW– maximum amounts that H–2A
SUMMARY: The Employment and
RSB, was lodged with the United States Training Administration of the agricultural employers may charge their
District Court for the Southern District Department of Labor is issuing this U.S. and foreign workers for providing
of Georgia on April 7, 2017. Notice to announce: (1) The allowable them with three meals per day during
charges for 2017 that employers seeking employment. See 20 CFR 655.173(a).
This proposed Consent Decree This methodology allows for annual
concerns a complaint filed by the H–2A workers in occupations other than
range herding may charge their workers adjustments of the previous year’s
United States against Georgia Coastal maximum allowable charge based upon
Land Company, Provident Land when the employer provides three
meals a day, and (2) the maximum updated U.S. Consumer Price Index for
Holdings Company, Provident All Urban Consumers (CPI–U) data for
Construction Company, and William L. travel subsistence meal reimbursement
that a worker with receipts may claim Food, not seasonally adjusted. Id. The
Nutting, pursuant to Sections 301, 309, maximum charge allowed by 20 CFR
and 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 in 2017 under the H–2A and H–2B
programs. The Notice also includes a 655.122(g) is adjusted by the same
U.S.C. 1311(a), 1319(g)(9), and 1344(s), percentage as the 12-month percent
to obtain injunctive relief from and reminder regarding employers’
obligations with respect to overnight change in the CPI for all Urban
impose civil penalties against the Consumers for Food (CPI–U for
Defendants for violating the Clean Water lodging costs as part of required
subsistence. Food).2 Id. The OFLC Certifying Officer
Act by discharging pollutants without a may also permit an employer to charge
permit into waters of the United States. DATES: Effective on April 13, 2017.
workers a higher amount for providing
The proposed Consent Decree resolves FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: them with three meals a day, if the
these allegations by requiring the William W. Thompson, II, higher amount is justified and
Defendants to restore impacted areas Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor sufficiently documented by the
and perform mitigation, and to pay civil Certification (OFLC), U.S. Department of employer, as set forth in 20 CFR
and administrative penalties. Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 655.173(b).
The Department of Justice will accept Room PPII–12–200, Washington, DC The percentage change in the CPI–U
written comments relating to this 20210. Telephone: 202–513–7350 (this for Food between December 2015 and
proposed Consent Decree for thirty (30) is not a toll-free number). Individuals December 2016 was –0.2 percent.3
days from the date of publication of this with hearing or speech impairments Accordingly, the maximum allowable
Notice. Please address comments to may access the telephone number above charge under 20 CFR 655.122(g) shall be
Samara Spence, Trial Attorney for the via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal no more than $12.07 per day, unless the
United States Department of Justice, Information Relay Service at 1–800– OFLC Certifying Officer approves a
Environment and Natural Resources 877–8339. higher charge as authorized under 20
Division, Environmental Defense SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CFR 655.173(b).
Section, Post Office Box 7611, United States (U.S.) Citizenship and
Washington, DC 20044 and refer to Immigration Services of the Department Reimbursement for Daily Travel
United States v. Georgia Coastal Land of Homeland Security will not approve Subsistence
Co., et al., DJ #90–5–1–1–20782. an employer’s petition for the admission The H–2A regulations (20 CFR
The proposed Consent Decree may be of H–2A or H–2B nonimmigrant 655.122(h)(1)) and the H–2B regulations
examined at the Clerk’s Office, United temporary workers in the U.S. unless (20 CFR 655.20(j)(1)(i)) establish that the
States District Court for the Southern the petitioner has received from the minimum daily travel subsistence
District of Georgia, Brunswick Division, DOL an H–2A or H–2B labor expense for meals, for which a worker
801 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA certification. Both the H–2A and H–2B is entitled to reimbursement, must be at
31520. In addition, the proposed labor certifications provide that: (1)
Consent Decree may be examined There are not sufficient U.S. workers 1 H–2A employers must provide workers engaged
who are qualified and who will be in herding or the production of livestock on the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
electronically at http://www.justice.gov/ range meals or food to prepare meals without
enrd/consent-decrees. available to perform the labor or charge or deposit charge. See 20 CFR 655.210(e).
services involved in the petition; and (2) 2 The 12-month percent change in the CPI–U for
Cherie L. Rogers, the employment of the foreign worker(s) Food for 2006 through 2016 is available through
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental in such labor or services will not BLS’ Web site at https://www.bls.gov/cpi/.
3 In 2016, the maximum allowable charge under
Defense Section, Environment and Natural adversely affect the wages and working
Resources Division. 20 CFR 655.122(g) was $12.09 per day. 81 FR 9885,
conditions of workers in the U.S. 9886 (Feb. 26, 2016). As a result, the maximum
[FR Doc. 2017–07499 Filed 4–12–17; 8:45 am] similarly employed. See 20 CFR allowable meal charge for 2017 has decreased only
BILLING CODE 4410–15–P 655.1(a)(H–2B); 20 CFR 655.100 (H–2A). $.02.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:51 Apr 12, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM 13APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_17949/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-04-13 01:08:59
Document Modified: 2017-04-13 01:08:59
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Request for public comment. | |
| Dates | Written public comment regarding the issue for comment should be submitted through www.regulations.gov before June 9, 2017. | |
| 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] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 17879 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR