Senate Bill S7098

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7098

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the accreditation of
agencies examining latent fingerprints

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

To amend the Executive Law to provide that a police agency examining
latent fingerprints falls within the definition of forensic laboratory
subject to oversight by the Commission on Forensic Science (CFS).

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends subdivision one of Executive Law § 995 to
include a police agency examining latent fingerprints within the defi-
nition of forensic laboratory subject to oversight and accreditation by
the Commission on Forensic Science.

Section two of the bill provides for an effective date of September 1
              

and requires all affected police agencies to attain accreditation no
later than five years after the effective date.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Currently a police agency examining latent fingerprints is not subject
to oversight by the Commission on Forensic Science.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT:

Currently some laboratories that examine latent fingerprints are accred-
ited while others are not. Accreditation ensures that laboratories
follow documented quality management systems and adhere to standards of
operation promulgated by the accrediting agency.  Accreditation involves
routine onsite surveillance visits, required training and proficiency
testing. Fingerprint examiners are required to complete an established
training program and be tested for competency and be subject to annual
proficiency testing.  Accreditation also ensures that documented quality
management procedures are followed by each laboratory. An accredited
laboratory must demonstrate compliance with nationally and interna-
tionally recognized standards. By requiring all forensic laboratories to
obtain accreditation, New York will be able to ensure that forensic
laboratories examining latent print evidence are adhering to equivalent
standards.

 
POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS:

Police Departments that examine latent fingerprints may object to the
cost of attaining accreditation.

 
OTHER STATE AGENCIES INTERESTED:

Division of State Police
 
KNOWN POSITION OF OTHERS:

None known.

 
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
LOCAL IMPACT:

None.