2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

OMB Control No: 1121-0269	ICR Reference No: 202501-1121-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202103-1121-002
Agency/Subagency: DOJ/OJP	Agency Tracking No: BJS
Title: 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 01/31/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	350	0
Time Burden (Hours)	581	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Labs (CPFFCL) collects administrative data from the state, local, and federal crime labs operating in the United States and provides national statistics on personnel, budgets, workloads, and backlogs in requests for forensic services. It also provides information on quality assurance measures within publicly operated labs, including lab accreditations, proficiency testing programs, examiner certifications, and resources devoted to research. The census of all publicly funded forensic crime laboratories will be conducted in 2025, with a reference period of CY 2024. This is the sixth crime lab census conducted by BJS. The first crime lab census was conducted by BJS in 2003.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 34 USC 10132 Name of Law: Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 93663	11/27/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 8719	01/31/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories CPFFCL-24 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Labs CFCL-20 2020 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	350	0	0	-150	0	500
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	581	0	0	-732	0	1,313
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The overall burden hours have decreased from 1,312 hours for the 2020 collection to 581 hours for the 2024 collection. More burden hours, including pre- and post-survey time, were estimated for the 2020 CPFFCL because, at that time, the plans were to have each lab in multi-lab systems complete the survey instead of the new approach for the 2024 CPFFCL to have the main lab complete it for the entire multi-lab system. There have also been adjustments to the instrument. The 2024 CPFFCL will allow for needed comparisons of the results and trends with the previous administrations of the CPFFCL, and the proposed instrument has been revised to include modifications to some previous items and new items stemming from expert and methodological reviews, as well as cognitive testing of the survey.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $366,344

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Matthew Durose 2023076119

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 01/31/2025

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