                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FUNCTIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (§ 9.1-1113)

A. The Committee may review laboratory operations of the Department and make
recommendations concerning the quality and timeliness of services furnished to
user agencies.

B. The Committee shall review and make recommendations as necessary to the
Director of the Department and the Forensic Science Board concerning:

   1. New scientific programs, protocols, and methods of testing;

   2. Plans for the implementation of new programs, sustaining existing programs
   and improving upon them where possible, and the elimination of programs no
   longer needed;

   3. Protocols for testing and examination methods, and guidelines for the
   presentation of results in court; and

   4. Qualification standards for the various scientists of the Department,
   including the Director.

C. Upon request of the Director of the Department, the Forensic Science Board,
or the Governor, the Committee shall review analytical work, reports, and
conclusions of scientists employed by the Department. The Committee shall
recommend to the Forensic Science Board a review process for the Department to
use in instances where there has been an allegation of misidentification or
other testing error made by the Department during its examination of evidence.

HISTORY: 2005, cc. 868, 881.