An Examination of Forensic Science in California
November 2009
California Crime Laboratory Review Task Force
Over the years, a network of forensic laboratories was created throughout California to serve the state’s criminal justice system. The California Department of Justice established several state-level labs while counties or cities developed their own entities. Since the criminal justice system depends on high-quality forensic science services, California enacted legislation in October 2007 to review the state’s crime laboratory system (Assembly Bill 1079, Richardson) with a mandate to the Department of Justice to create and chair the California Crime Labora tory Review Task Force. The legislation added section 11062 to the California Penal Code, which directed the Task Force to “make recommendations as to how best to configure, fund, and improve the delivery of state and local crime laboratory services in the future.”
The mandate considered a variety of issues for the Task Force to review, including the following:
- Organization and management of crime laboratory services;
- Staff and training;
- Funding;
- Performance standards and equipment; and
- Statewide forensic science oversight.
The Task Force held monthly meetings from December 2007 through September 2009, with several hosted by crime lab directors. All meetings were open to the public. The members heard presentations from various organizations and individuals with expertise in crime labora tory oversight, ethics, and management; accreditation and certification; and forensic education and training. Interested members of the public in attendance also provided valuable input.
To compile an inventory, which was mandated, and to gather other information necessary to complete its report, the Task Force drafted a comprehensive 19-page survey that was sent to each of the major crime labs operated by state, county, or local agencies. The labs proved to be tremendously cooperative and all returned the surveys. In addition, separate surveys were sent to all California district attorneys and county sheriffs, to a representative sample of local police departments, and to county public defenders and other defense organizations. A large number of surveys were returned, providing a wealth of useful data.
Based on the results of these efforts, the Task Force prepared this report, An Examination of Forensic Science in California. This report has two goals: first, to provide an accurate snap shot of the current condition of government-funded forensic science in California, including descriptions and explanations of both successful and failed delivery of timely, reliable, scientific testing; and second, to recommend steps that state and local policymakers can take to identify and address deficiencies in the field while continuing to support its achievements.
A complete listing of the Task Force’s recommendations follows. The full report includes back ground information and discussions of the recommendations; each of these recommendations reflects the consensus of the Task Force.