Sec. 401. Research strategy and priorities

429 words·~2 min read·/bill/113/s/2177/is/section-401

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Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall recommend to the Director a comprehensive strategy for fostering and improving peer-reviewed scientific research relating to the forensic science disciplines, including research addressing issues of validity, reliability, and accuracy in the forensic science disciplines. After the Director receives recommendations from the Board under paragraph (1), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), establish a comprehensive strategy for fostering and improving peer-reviewed scientific research relating to the forensic science disciplines.

Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Board shall— review the comprehensive strategy established under paragraph (2); and recommend any necessary updates to the comprehensive strategy. After the Director receives recommendations from the Board under subparagraph (A), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), update the comprehensive strategy as necessary and appropriate. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall recommend to the Director a list of priorities for forensic science research funding.

After the Director receives the list from the Board under paragraph (1), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), establish a list of priorities for forensic science research funding. Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Board shall— review— the list of priorities established under paragraph (2); and the findings of the relevant Committees made under subsection (c); and recommend any necessary updates to the list of priorities, incorporating, as appropriate, the findings of the Committees under subsection (c).

After the Director receives the recommendations under paragraph (3), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), update as necessary the list of research funding priorities. Not later than 2 years after the date on which all members of a Committee have been appointed under section 103, and periodically thereafter, the Committee shall— examine and evaluate the scientific research in each forensic science discipline within the responsibility of the Committee; conduct comprehensive surveys of scientific research relating to each forensic science discipline within the responsibility of the Committee; examine the research needs in each forensic science discipline within the responsibility of the Committee and identify key areas in which further scientific research is needed; and develop and submit to the Board a list of research needs and priorities.

In developing the initial research strategy, research priorities, and surveys required under this section, the Board and the Director shall consider any findings, surveys, and analyses relating to research in forensic science disciplines, including those made by the Subcommittee on Forensic Science of the National Science and Technology Council.