On February 6, 2019, CSAFE will host a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the briefing is to communicate the center’s impact on legal and forensic communities to congressional staff. We except that personnel involved in justice, law enforcement, science and related committees will participate.
CSAFE is the only independent organization doing research in statistical foundations of pattern and digital evidence. As such, we are able to fill an important need by developing tools that enable forensic scientists to more objectively analyze and interpret evidence. CSAFE has had an enormous impact on several specific areas of pattern and digital evidence and has the support of many forensic science practitioners. Our team also has effective outreach and communication with the forensics and legal communities and provides training to anyone who requests it.
There is much work left to be done to address the concerns brought forth in the 2009 report from the National Research Council about the scientific and statistical validity of most forensic tools. At the congressional briefing, CSAFE will convey the need for continued funding and support to focus on translating new technology from research into practice. Our team hopes to continue our partnership with the forensic science community across the country to achieve this goal.
