                        FORENSIC UPDATE:
          FBI ANNOUNCES NEW FORENSIC EXAMINATION POLICY


     Effective July 1, 1994, the FBI Laboratory will no longer
accept evidence from State and local law enforcement agencies for
forensic examination in cases involving property crime
investigations, except those cases that involve personal injury
or for crimes that were intended to cause personal injury. The
Laboratory will continue to accept evidence relating to violent
crime investigations, including those that may involve property
crime. These new guidelines are being implemented, in part, to
ensure that the FBI continues to provide timely forensic
assistance to law enforcement agencies investigating crimes of
violence or threatened violence.

     The following are examples of State and local property
crimes that will not be accepted for forensic examination by the
FBI Laboratory as of July 1, 1994.

     --  Arson of vacated residential dwellings and commercial  
         buildings (Because arson of occupied residential
         dwellings is considered a violent crime rather than a
         property crime, such cases will not be affected by the
         new policy.)

     --  Nonfatal traffic accidents involving speedometer and/or
         headlight examinations, except cases involving law
         enforcement officers or State and local government
         officials

     --  Vandalism and malicious mischief directed toward
         personal or commercial property

     --  Hit-and-run automobile accidents that involve no
         personal injury

     --  Auto theft, except cases involving auto theft rings or
         carjackings

     --  Breaking and entering

     --  Burglary

     --  Minor theft (under $100,000)

     --  Explosive incidents or hoaxes targeting unoccupied
         dwellings, vacant commercial buildings, or other
         uninhabited property.

     At the discretion of the FBI Laboratory's Assistant Director
(or designee), the Laboratory may agree to accept evidence from
property crime cases that would not be accepted otherwise under
the revised policy. Such exceptions will be considered only on a
case-by-case basis and should not be regarded as setting a
precedent for future case acceptance. However, all accepted 
cases will continue to be afforded the full range of forensic
services offered by the FBI Laboratory.