DOJ Revives Crime Lab Census: Forensics Bureaucracy Returns!
Published Date: 1/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Justice is bringing back a survey that collects info from publicly funded forensic crime labs, with some updates. Labs will be asked to share data again, helping improve how crime labs operate nationwide. Comments on this plan are open until March 3, 2025, and the goal is to keep the process easy and useful without costing extra time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Forensic Lab Survey Time and Costs
The Bureau of Justice Statistics will field the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories from March through October 2025. About 350 publicly funded forensic labs (state and local government agencies) are expected to respond once, at about 90 minutes per response, with 225 respondents contacted for 15-minute follow-ups; total burden hours are 581 and total estimated annual other costs are $907,183. The survey is voluntary, comments are accepted through March 3, 2025, and DOJ seeks OMB authorization for up to three years.
Survey Data Will Be Published Publicly
BJS will use the CPFFCL data in published reports and statistics that are shared with the U.S. Congress, the Executive Office of the President, practitioners, researchers, students, the media, and the general public via the BJS website. The information collection is intended to provide insight on staffing, budgets, workloads, resources, policies, and procedures at publicly funded forensic crime laboratories.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19694, Annual Notices on Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to Local Fire Authority
If you store explosives, you now have to tell your local fire department every year and when you stop storing them. This new rule helps keep firefighters and the public safer by making sure they always know where explosives are stored. It starts on October 26, 2026, and you must keep your notices for five years—no extra fees, just more safety!
2026-19693, Implementing the Safe Explosives Act
The Safe Explosives Act final rule affects businesses and people who handle explosives, making reporting and transport rules clearer and simpler. Starting October 26, 2026, license holders must report key personnel changes but no longer need to verify who accepts deliveries for them. These updates cut red tape without adding new costs, keeping everyone safer and smoother in the explosive world.
2026-16981, Application for Relief From Disabilities Imposed by Federal Laws With Respect to the Acquisition, Receipt, Transfer, Shipment, Transportation, or Possession of Firearms
The Department of Justice ("the Department") is implementing criteria to guide determinations for granting relief from disabilities imposed by federal laws with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms. The criteria are designed to ensure that the fundamental right of the people to keep and bear arms is not unduly infringed, that those people granted relief are not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that granting such relief would not be contrary to the public interest.
2026-15458, Civil Money Penalty for Actions in Contempt of an Immigration Judge's Proper Exercise of Authority
This notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPRM") would implement a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA" or "the Act") that authorizes Immigration Judges, under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, to sanction by civil money penalty any action (or inaction) in contempt of the proper exercise of their authority by certain individuals. The rule would: define the scope of the contempt authority; provide procedures for contempt findings, penalty determinations, and penalty payment; establish an appellate process; and implement oversight of the use of contempt authority. The rule would also make conforming changes to the grounds for practitioner discipline.
2026-13586, Registering NFA Firearms That Fall Out of Government Contract
If you make special firearms for the U.S. Government and your contract ends, you’ll now have a new way to register those guns even if you missed the usual deadline. This change helps manufacturers avoid penalties and keeps everything clear and fair. Comments on this proposal are open until September 4, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
2026-11526, Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Starting July 9, 2026, new rules make it easier for doctors and pharmacies to provide medicine that helps people recover from opioid addiction. These changes affect healthcare providers by expanding who can give medication-assisted treatment and how pharmacies can deliver these medicines. The goal? Faster, safer access to treatment with clear rules that save time and support recovery.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02052, Approval of Subzone Status; Wurth Electronics Midcom, Inc.; Watertown, South Dakota
Wurth Electronics Midcom in Watertown, South Dakota, just got the green light to become a special subzone under Foreign-Trade Zone 220. This means they can enjoy some cool trade benefits like easier importing and exporting, all within a 2,000-acre limit. The approval happened on January 28, 2025, opening new doors for business growth and smoother operations.
Next: 2025-02056, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
The U.S. Mint is asking for permission to keep collecting feedback from people and businesses about their services for the next three years. This feedback helps them improve their products and customer experience. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by March 3, 2025!