Scientific advisory committees

(Perspective of a committee member)

Forensic Chemist (2005; 2006-2010)Virginia’s Scientific Advisory Committee

Dan E. Krane, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Virginia’s Department of Forensic Science

• A “full-service” forensic laboratory

• Dr. Paul Ferrara, Director

• Aspires to be a world-class model

• SAC is charged by statute to provide scientific oversight on all policies and practices

An example of an issue before the VA SAC

• Department proposed changes to standard reports for gun shot residue (GSR) analyses

• Presented by examiner Doug DeGaetano

• Purpose #1: “Easier, clearer interpretation of the results”

• Purpose #2: “more ‘up to date’”

• Purpose #3: “less need for court testimony by examiners:

Proposed GSR report language

“Primer residue can be deposited on the hands by: firing a weapon, handling a dirty weapon, being in proximity to the discharge of a weapon or coming in to contact with an object that has primer residue on it.”