S1890-119

What This Bill Does

Creates DOJ forensic grants for DNA analysis, forensic genetic genealogy equipment, and database searching, sets administrative rules and reporting requirements, requires a DOJ report with the National Institute of Justice Forensic Laboratory Needs Working Group, and preserves stronger state or local forensic laws.

Who Benefits and How

State law enforcement agencies, local law enforcement agencies, Tribal law enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices, medical examiner offices, coroner offices, and publicly funded accredited forensic laboratories benefit from grant eligibility for DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy equipment or searches. Cold-case investigators and families of victims benefit if grants help identify suspects or victims in unsolved violent crimes. DOJ and NIJ policymakers benefit from reports on forensic laboratory needs.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Attorney General, DOJ grant administrators, and NIJ forensic policy staff must run the grant program, issue guidance, review applications, and collect reports. Grant recipients must document spending, results, accreditation, privacy, and database-search practices. Federal taxpayers bear grant costs. Suspects identified through forensic genetic genealogy face increased investigative risk.

Key Provisions

• Creates grants to improve forensic activities under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
• Defines forensic analysis, accredited forensic laboratories, forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis, and eligible entities.
• Authorizes DNA analysis grants for law enforcement, prosecutors, medical examiners, coroners, and forensic laboratories.
• Authorizes grants for forensic equipment and database searching.
• Requires administrative guidelines, grant-recipient reports, and a DOJ report on forensic laboratory needs.
• Provides no preemption of stronger state or local forensic requirements.