Does the Administration support similar efforts by Senator Webb?
I’ve got to hand it to Senator Webb for trying a new approach.6 The prison populations are exploding and recidivism rates are through the roof. This is a real public safety issue we’re dealing with, and identifying helpful solutions would be a great start. But, what we don’t want are more unfunded mandates. And people need to recognize that crime rates are down because you guys have been out there day in and day out. This needs to just be about finding ways to make things better. Public forensic laboratories have continuously struggled to hire sufficient numbers of forensic scientists and technicians, as well as purchasing updated analytical equipment to meet the increasing demands of state, local, and tribal law enforcement. How do you see the federal government assisting these forensic centers in handling evidence demands and backlogs? I’m especially concerned about rapekit backlogs. In 2004, I led the passage of the Debbie Smith Act7 to help address the problem of backlogs in rape k
