Federal research strategy under subparagraph 
(A) that includes a description of— 
(i) which department, agency, or of-
fice will carry out each specific element of 
the unified Federal research strategy; 
(ii) short-term and long-term prior-
ities and objectives; and 
(iii) common metrics and other eval-
uation criteria that will be used to assess 
progress toward achieving the priorities 
and objectives under clause (ii); and 
(C) any necessary programs, policies, and 
budgets to support the implementation of the 
roadmap under subparagraph (B). 
(3) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Coordinating Office 
shall submit an annual report to Congress, not later 
than 90 days after the submission of the President’s 
annual budget request, that includes the budget for 
the program established under this section for each 
agency that participates in the program, including 
for all activities pursuant to sections 5, 6, and 7. 
(4) DEADLINES.—The Coordinating Office shall 
submit to Congress— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the unified Federal re-
search strategy under paragraph (2)(A); 
(B) not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the initial 5-year road-
map under paragraph (2)(B); and 
(C) not later than 1 month after the date 
it is updated, each updated 5-year roadmap 
under paragraph (2)(B). 
SEC. 5. FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL 
SCIENCE FOUNDATION. 
(a) GRANTS.—The National Science Foundation 
shall award forensic science basic research grants to im-
prove the foundation and practice of forensic science in 
the United States, consistent with the Foundation’s mis-
sion and the recommendations in the unified Federal re-
search strategy under section 4. 
(b) MERIT REVIEW.—Each grant under this section 
shall be awarded on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis. 
(c) FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall award grants to support 
one or more forensic science research centers— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) to conduct research consistent with the 
unified Federal research strategy under section 
4 and with the Foundation’s mission; 
(B) to help build relationships between fo-
rensic science practitioners and members of the 
research community; 
(C) to encourage and promote the edu-
cation and training of a diverse group of people 
to be leaders in the interdisciplinary field of fo-
rensic science; and 
(D) to broadly disseminate the results of 
the research under subparagraph (A). 
(2) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.—No funds 
authorized under this section may be used to con-
struct or renovate a building or structure. 
(3) REPORTS.—Each forensic science research 
center shall submit an annual report to the Director 
of the National Science Foundation, at such time 
and in such manner as the Director may require, 
that contains a description of the activities the cen-
ter carried out with the funds received under this 
section. 
(d) EVALUATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall conduct a comprehensive 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
evaluation of its full portfolio of forensic science re-
search and education grants every 4 years— 
(A) to determine whether the research sup-
ported under the grants is contributing to the 
objectives of improving the foundation and 
practice of forensic science in the United 
States; and 
(B) to evaluate the extent to which the re-
search is contributing toward the priorities and 
objectives described in the roadmap under sec-
tion 4(c)(2)(B). 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Director of 
the National Science Foundation shall report to 
Congress the results of each comprehensive evalua-
tion under paragraph (1). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation to carry out this section— 
(1) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
(2) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(4) $43,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and 
(5) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2018. 
SEC. 6. FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH CHALLENGES. 
(a) PRIZES AND CHALLENGES.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Federal department, agen-
cy, or office may assist in satisfying the research 
needs and priorities identified in the unified Federal 
research strategy under section 4 by using prizes 
and challenges under section 24 of the Stevenson- 
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3719) or under any other provision of law, 
as appropriate. 
(2) PURPOSES.—The purpose of a prize or 
challenge under this section, among other possible 
purposes, may be— 
(A) to determine or develop the best data 
collection practices or analytical methods to 
evaluate a specific type of forensic data; or 
(B) to determine the accuracy of an ana-
lytical method. 
(b) FORENSIC
EVIDENCE
PRIZES
AND
CHAL-
LENGES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Federal department, agen-
cy, or office, or multiple Federal departments, agen-
cies, or offices in cooperation, carrying out a prize 
or challenge under this section— 
(A) may establish a prize advisory board; 
and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) shall consult with the Advisory Com-
mittee on the appropriateness of the prize or 
challenge to satisfy the research needs and pri-
orities identified in the unified Federal research 
strategy under section 4. 
(2) SAMPLES.—The National Institute of 
Standards and Technology or the Department of 
Justice shall provide or contract with a non-Federal 
party to prepare a sufficient set of samples, includ-
ing associated digital data that could be shared with-
out limitation and physical specimens that could be 
shared with qualified parties, for purposes of a prize 
or challenge. 
(3) FINGERPRINT DATA INTEROPERABILITY.— 
At least 1 prize or challenge under this section shall 
be focused on achieving nationwide fingerprint data 
interoperability if the prize advisory board, the Co-
ordinating Office, or a Federal department, agency, 
or office identifies an area where a prize or challenge 
will assist in satisfying a strategy related to this 
issue. 
SEC. 7. FORENSIC SCIENCE STANDARDS AND RESEARCH AT 
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS 
AND TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(C) test and validate existing forensics 
standards, measurements, and methods as ap-
propriate. 
(2) CONSULTATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out its re-
sponsibilities under paragraph (1), the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology shall 
consult with— 
(i) standards development organiza-
tions and other stakeholders, including rel-
evant Federal departments, agencies, and 
offices; and 
(ii) testing laboratories and accredita-
tion bodies. 
(3) PRIORITIZATION.—When prioritizing its re-
sponsibilities under paragraph (1), the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology shall con-
sider— 
(A) the unified Federal research strategy 
under section 4; and 
(B) the recommendations of any expert 
working group under subsection (b). 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Director of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
shall report every 2 years, not later than 90 days 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
after the submission of the President’s budget re-
quest, to Congress on the progress in carrying out 
the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology’s responsibilities under paragraph (1). 
(b) EXPERT WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology may establish 
one or more discipline-specific expert working groups 
to identify gaps, areas of need, and opportunities for 
standards development with respect to forensic 
science. Each working group shall balance scientific 
rigor with practical and regulatory constraints. 
(2) MEMBERS.—A member of an expert work-
ing group shall— 
(A) be appointed by the Director of the 
National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology; and 
(B) have significant academic, research, or 
practical expertise in a discipline of forensic 
science or in another area relevant to the pur-
pose of the expert working group. 
(3) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—An 
expert working group established under this sub-
section shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology to carry out this section— 
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(4) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and 
(5) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2018. 
SEC. 8. FORENSIC SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology and the Attorney 
General, in consultation with the Director of the National 
Science Foundation, shall establish a Forensic Science Ad-
visory Committee. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall provide 
advice to— 
(1) the Federal departments, agencies, and of-
fices implementing the unified Federal research 
strategy under section 4; 
(2) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, including recommendations regarding 
the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology’s responsibilities under section 7; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) the Department of Justice, including rec-
ommendations regarding the Department of Jus-
tice’s responsibilities under section 9. 
(c) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The Advisory Committee may 
form subcommittees related to specific disciplines in foren-
sic science or as necessary to further its duties under sub-
section (b). A subcommittee may include an individual who 
is not a member of the Advisory Committee. 
(d) CHAIRS.—The Director of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology and the Attorney General, 
or their designees, shall co-chair the Advisory Committee. 
(e) MEMBERSHIP.—The Director of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology and the Attorney 
General, in consultation with the Director of the National 
Science Foundation, shall appoint each member of the Ad-
visory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall include 
balanced representation between scientists with expertise 
relevant to forensic sciences (including academic sci-
entists, statisticians, social scientists, engineers, and rep-
resentatives of other related scientific disciplines) and in-
dividuals and organizations with expertise in applications 
of forensic science (including Federal, State, and local rep-
resentatives of the forensic science community, the legal 
community, victim advocate organizations, and law en-
forcement). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(f) ADMINISTRATION.—The Attorney General shall 
provide administrative support to the Advisory Committee. 
SEC. 9. ADOPTION, ACCREDITATION, AND CERTIFICATION. 
The Attorney General— 
(1) shall promote the adoption of forensic 
science standards developed under section 7, includ-
ing— 
(A) by requiring each Federal forensic lab-
oratory to adopt such forensic science stand-
ards; 
(B) by encouraging each non-Federal fo-
rensic laboratory to adopt such forensic science 
standards; and 
(C) by disseminating any recommendations 
made by the Advisory Committee for adoption 
and implementation of forensic science stand-
ards; 
(2) shall promote the development of minimum 
training, accreditation, and certification require-
ments based on the forensic science standards devel-
oped under section 7 and any recommendations 
made by the Advisory Committee; 
(3) shall issue guidance concerning the intersec-
tion of forensic science and the courtroom; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(4) may require the adoption of the forensic 
science standards as a condition of Federal funding 
or for inclusion in national data sets. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:33 Sep 10, 2013
Jkt 029060
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3064.IH
H3064
rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with BILLS