Virginia Department of Forensic Science

The Board discussed the transition in leadership, noting the retirement of the current Director and the appointment of a successor. The Scientific Advisory Committee provided updates regarding the activities of its subcommittees, including ongoing validation work and the election of new committee leadership. The Director's report detailed the relocation to a new facility, the establishment of a secure mail center, and the acquisition of new forensic technology, including rapid DNA instruments, next-generation sequencing tools for mitochondrial testing, and a 3D scanning microscopy system for firearm analysis.

The board meeting covered several critical operational and financial updates for the Department of Forensic Science. Discussions included the status of the Central Laboratory capital project, upcoming accreditation reassessment, and staffing updates across regional laboratories. Significant attention was given to the results of the customer satisfaction survey, ongoing forensic training initiatives, and policy changes regarding marijuana field tests and cannabis methodology. Additionally, the presentation detailed improvements to DNA data bank sample tracking, PERK legislation compliance, rising trends in illicit synthetic opioids, and the department's budget allocations, grant applications, and research projects.

The board received an update regarding the Department of Forensic Science, covering capital project progress for the Central Laboratory, accreditation status, and new policy initiatives including diversity and sustainability goals. Key operational updates included progress on the Laboratory Information Management System, PERK tracking training metrics, forensic training schedules, and breath alcohol testing. Detailed workload statistics were presented comparing case submissions and backlogs. Additionally, the session addressed specific forensic areas such as cannabis submission guidelines, the status of compound scheduling for the Board of Pharmacy, and forensic biology supply chain impacts. The presentation concluded with a budget overview, requests for approval on grant applications, and a proposal for American Rescue Plan Act funding for firearms-related technology.

This document outlines the strategic direction and updates for the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, driven by its mission to provide quality forensic laboratory services, support the criminal justice system, and advance forensic science to promote public safety. Key areas of focus include upholding core values of quality, integrity, impartiality, diversity, and resilience; enhancing external communications; implementing significant policy initiatives such as the One Virginia Plan for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; advancing laboratory information management systems; and investing in comprehensive forensic training programs. The plan also addresses critical operational aspects including facilities, staffing, accreditation, budget management, and grant acquisition to ensure its vision of leading the field of forensic science and providing unbiased support to the criminal justice system.

The Subcommittee discussed two validation summaries regarding the addition of novel psychoactive substances and novel benzodiazepines to existing quantitation and confirmation methods via LCMSMS. Additionally, a presentation was provided on the development of a base screen method aimed at establishing a unified approach for determining limits of detection.