Strengthening Soil Forensics: Issues and Impact of the National Academy of Sciences Report.

In late 2009 the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) published the report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.  This report is already serving as an important catalyst for change eliciting substantive responses within many forensic science disciplines at the Federal, State, and local levels.  Although not specifically addressed in the NAS report, soil forensics will undoubtedly feel the report’s impact.  This talk will provide a background and general summary of the NAS report as it pertains to trace evidence and outline some of the responses from the forensic community to date.  The forensic geosciences community can mitigate some of the report’s impact by proactively addressing the identified findings and by taking additional measures to address known deficiencies.  These actions will serve to strengthen our community and maintain the viability of the soil forensics discipline.