[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 9578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4800]



[[Page 9578]]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
[OJP(NIJ)-1160]
RIN 1121-ZA97


Meeting Announcement of the National Commission on the Future of 
DNA Evidence

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 
Justice.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: Announcement of the first meeting of the National Commission 
on the Future of DNA Evidence.

DATES: March 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Great Hall, Department of Justice, 10th and Constitution 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher H. Asplen, AUSA, Executive 
Director (202) 616-8123.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Individuals interested in attending the 
meeting must call Laura Lacky at (202) 307-5847 two weeks in advance of 
meeting and provide name, date of birth and social security number for 
security purposes. Attendees must also present government issued photo 
identification at the time of the meeting. All attendees are subject to 
metal detection devices.

Authority

    This action is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968, sections 201-03, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3721-23 
(1994).

Background

    The purpose of the National Commission on the Future of DNA 
Evidence is to provide the Attorney General with recommendations on the 
use of current and future DNA methods, applications and technologies in 
the operation of the criminal justice system, from the Crime scene to 
the courtroom. Over the course of its Charter, the Commission will 
review critical policy issues regarding DNA evidence and provide 
recommended courses of action to improve its use as a tool of 
investigation and adjudication in criminal cases.
    The Commission will address issues in five specific areas: (1) The 
use of DNA in post-conviction relief cases, (2) legal concerns 
including Daubert challenges and the scope of discovery in DNA cases, 
(3) criteria for training and technical assistance for criminal justice 
professionals involved in the identification, collection and 
preservation of DNA evidence at the crime scene, (4) essential 
laboratory capabilities in the face of emerging technologies, and (5) 
the impact of future technological developments in the use of DNA in 
the criminal justice system. Each topic will be the focus of the in-
depth analysis by separate working groups comprised of prominent 
professionals who will report back to the Commission.
John Schwarz,
Acting Director, National Institute of Justice.
[FR Doc. 98-4800 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]
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