Important development: U.S. launches the "National Commission on Forensic Science" - the first recommendation of the National Academy of Science's 2009 report on problems in forensic science.

RELEASE:  "The Department of Justice and National Institute of Standards and Technology announce launch of National Commission on Forensic Science," released by the U.S. Officixe of Public Affairs on February 15, 2013. (Our thanks to "Grits for Breakfast" for drawing attention to this development. Grits tells us that this  launch "implements  the first recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences' 2009 report on problems in forensic science." GIST: "The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today the establishment of a National Commission on Forensic Science as part of a new initiative to strengthen and enhance the practice of forensic science.  The National Commission on Forensic Science will be composed of approximately 30 members, bringing together forensic science service practitioners, academic researchers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and other relevant stakeholders to develop policy recommendations for the Attorney General. The commission will consider guidance on practices for federal, state and local forensic science laboratories developed by groups of forensic science practitioners and academic researchers administered by NIST.   "Forensic science is an essential tool in the administration of justice and needs to be continually evaluated as science progresses," said Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole. "Forensic science helps identify perpetrators, convict the guilty, exonerate the innocent, and protect public safety. This initiative is led by the principle that scientifically valid and accurate forensic analysis strengthens all aspects of our justice system." The entire release can be found at: http://www.nist.gov/oles/doj-nist-forensic-science021513.cfm Grits for Breakfast can be accessed at:  http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.ca/  PUBLISHER'S NOTE I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located  near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.