[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 44961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21345]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Justice
[OJP(NIJ)-1246]
RIN 1121-ZB80


National Institute of Justice Announcement of the Seventh Meeting 
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 seventh meeting of the National Commission 
on the Future of DNA Evidence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The seventh meeting of the National 
Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence will take place beginning on 
Sunday, September 26, 1999, 1:00 PM--5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time and 
will continue on Monday, September 27, 1999, 9:00 AM--5:00 PM Eastern 
Daylight Time. The meeting will take place in the Polaris Room at the 
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, located at 1300 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004; Phone: 202-312-1300.
    The National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, established 
pursuant to Section 3(2)A of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 
5 U.S.C. App. 2, will meet to carry out its advisory functions under 
Sections 201-202 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
1968, as amended. This meeting will be open to the public.

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

Authority

    This action is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968, sections 201-203, 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 postconviction 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.
Jeremy Travis,
Director, National Institute of Justice.
[FR Doc. 99-21345 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am]
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