The Consortium of Forensic Science
Organizations (CFSO)
– AAFS
– ASCLD
– ASCLD/LAB
– IAFN
– IAI
– NAME
– SOFT/ABFT
The mission of the CFSO is
to speak with a single forensic
science voice in matters of
mutual interest to its member
organizations, to influence
public policy at the national
level and to make a
compelling case for greater
federal funding for public
crime laboratories and
medical examiner offices.
CFSO 2014
• Coverdell funding at $12 million
• Provided a new working draft of “Criminal
Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act”
• Practitioners on NCFS and OSAC
• Response to the NCFS documents
• Sudden Death in the Young bill
Coverdell Funding
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2010 = $33M
2011 = $27M
2012 = $10M
2013 = $11M
2014 = $12M
2015 = $12M
2016 = $0 (CFSO has already started working!)
– Letter to AG, Letter to Congressional
Committees, Heavy lobbying on the Hill.
International Association for
Identification
(IAI)
International Association for Identification
Activities
• The IAI has been actively engaging our
membership through mass emailing re: ongoing
legislative efforts supporting the Forensic
Sciences
• IAI participation in the National Institute of
Standards & Technology (NIST) Organization of
Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) includes
over 70 members of the association (several are
serving as SAC and subcommittee Chairs)
International Association for Identification
Activities
• IAI members continue to be available to contact
the congressional representatives to articulates
concerns over pending or proposed legislation
• Members participated in the first in-person
subcommittee meetings held in Norman, OK in
January
• Several members in SAC and subcommittee
chair positions participated in a public briefing
at the AAFS in Orlando (Feb)
International Association for Identification
Activities
• IAI representative on the OSAC Forensic
Science Standards Board (FSSB) is actively
involved in crafting bylaws and ethics language
• The IAI is planning its upcoming Centennial
Conference in Sacramento, CA (2-8AUG2015) to
include plenary and breakout sessions of for a
number of OSAC subcommittees
• The conference will also host a presentation by
the CFSO during the week
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
AAFS with CFSO
• Forensic science national legislation
(standards, accreditation, certification,
community input).
• Support of NIST OSAC
• Coverdell and other capacity building funding
• Research and education
National Association
of Medical Examiners
(NAME)
The Paul Coverdell National
Forensic Sciences Improvement Act
• Provides federal funding to crime
laboratories and medical examiner's offices
to improve the quality and timeliness of
forensic science and medical examiner
services.
• Facilities, personnel, computerization,
equipment, supplies, accreditation,
certification, education, training.
COPS
(Community Oriented Policing Services)
• Funding program for law enforcement
• NAME eligible for funding!
Sudden Death in the Young
Legislation (HR.669/S.314)
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6 year effort
Bipartisan and Bicameral
Endorsed by CFSO and NAME
Signed into law 12-18-2014
“Sudden Unexpected Death Data
Enhancement and Awareness Act”
International Association of
Forensic Nurses
(IAFN)
What is the IAFN?
• An international membership organization
comprised of 3100 forensic nurses and other
professionals working around the world who
support and complement the work of forensic
nursing.
Membership in CFSO
• Voice in the larger forensic community
• Assist in policy development within the capacity
of the other practitioners
• Collective voice in funding and policy initiatives
(e.g., Violence Against Women Act, Coverdell,
and Forensic Reform)
• Promote forensic science in a broader lens as a
collective system of practitioners
Public Policy Agenda
• Support funding of the Violence Against Women
Act Coverdell, and Campus Sexual Violence
Elimination Act
• Eliminate untested sexual assault kit backlog
• Support federal legislation that addresses
violence and abuse across the lifespan
• Monitor and comment on health care reform
developments that impact forensic nurses and
their patients
Incorporation of “forensic service
providers” in OSAC Structure
• IAFN and CFSO wrote to NIST, DOJ, Congress
• Representation of active practitioners not
included in present structure
• Forensic healthcare is a living forensic science
• Forensic science also includes assessment,
identification, evaluation and documentation of
injuries
• Standards and guidelines related to recovery and
collection of evidence from living victims needed
CFSO Activities in March 2015
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Legislative Draft from CFSO to the Hill for Cornyn/Leahy
Letter to AAFS Board regarding CFSO
IAFN letter to Congress and NIST
CFSO support letter for IAFN addition to NIST (sent to Congress and NIST)
CFSO presentation at the AAFS meeting (most BOD members presented)
CFSO presentation to the AAFS BOD meeting
February Annual CFSO BOD meeting in Orlando 2/17/2015
March CFSO BOD teleconference meeting 3/24/2015
March 11th CFSO trip to the Hill (Ken, Kim, Matthew, Beth) Senate Appropriations Staff, Leahy Staff, Graham Staff
March 20th CFSO trip to the Hill (Brady Mills—ASCLD President and Texas DPS) to introduce legislation to Texas delegation
CFSO Position statement on Rapid DNA
Discussions with Leahy/Cornyn on presentations at ASCLD meeting and CFSO/ASCLD “Day on the Hill (DOTH)”
CFSO/ASCLD work on the “Day on the Hill” event
– Obtained a room for the stakeholders reception in the Senate Office Building
– Developed CFSO talking points
– Developed Coverdell talking points
– Developed folders and stickers for CFSO
– Organized attendees and delegations
CFSO Newsletter for February
CFSO Newsletter for March
Planning for the CFSO contributions to the ABA meeting at Fordham Law School
CFSO participation in SAFER NIJ meetings
CFSO/Beth help with AAFS newsletter editing
Letter of thanks to ASCLD/LAB for participation in CFSO over the years
Requested time at the NCFS meeting for ASCLD to speak on crime lab needs, SOFT and NAME to talk about accreditation
Updated website with new bios, new press release, members only area with meeting minutes and other things
Newsletter
Now featuring:
2015 Legislative Priorities
• Forensic Science Reform Bill
• Accreditation funding for laboratories and medical examiner offices
• Certification funding for forensic professionals
• Grant Reform/Coverdell
• Rapid DNA legislation
• Rape kit backlog
• NSF and other Federal Agency Research Funding
• Grant funding available for forensic science education instrumentation
• Grant funding and programs for training in forensic disciplines
• Model legislation for MDI
• Increasing the workforce in forensic pathology
• VAWA Reauthorization
• Campus Sexual Assault Legislation