Privacy Act of 1974; Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-014 Homeland Security Investigations Forensic Laboratory System of Records

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to update and reissue a current DHS system of records titled, ``Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-014 Homeland Security Investigations Forensic Laboratory (HSI-FL) System of Records.'' This system of records allows the DHS/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to collect and maintain records by the HSI-FL. The HSI-FL is a U.S. crime laboratory specializing in scientific authentication; forensic examination; research, analysis, and training related to travel and identity documents; latent and patent finger and palm prints; and audio and video files in support of law enforcement investigations and activities by DHS and other agencies. As a result of a biennial review of this system, DHS/ICE is updating this system of records notice to include minor changes that were made to make the wording consistent with the routine uses of other ICE System of Records Notice (SORN) and in accordance with Appendix I to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals. DHS/ICE made minor changes to: Routine Use G that supports ICE's sharing of information with domestic and international law enforcement agencies when there is a violation, or potential criminal, civil, or regulatory violation of law, rule, regulation, or order; Routine Use H that supports parties involved in court litigation when DHS is a party or has an interest; Routine Use V that supports DHS in making a determination regarding redress for an individual; and the retention and disposal section has been updated to note that the current approved ICE records disposition authority states that all case files, other than war crime cases be destroyed five years after the date of completion of the forensic examination. War crime cases are unscheduled at this time, and thus deemed permanent records. In addition, a new schedule is currently being reviewed and once approved will provide lengthier retention periods than the current schedule. ICE is proposing that case files related to significant cases such as war crimes, terrorism, and homicide cases should be retained at ICE for 20 years after completion of the investigation and all actions based thereon, and then transferred to the National Archives for permanent retention. Once the schedules are approved the SORN will be updated to reflect the changes. The exemptions for the existing SORN will continue to be unchanged. This updated system will be included in DHS's inventory of record systems.