CSI Pentagon

The Defense Department needs "additional planning and oversight" to set up "an enduring expeditionary forensic capability" that can be used to find and identify the DNA and fingerprints of terrorists, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

DOD "has taken some important steps to establish an enduring expeditionary forensic capability by issuing a concept of operations in 2008, followed by a directive in 2011 to establish policy and assign responsibilities," the June 27 report states, adding:

As required by the directive, DOD has drafted a strategic plan to guide the activities of the Defense Forensic Enterprise, including expeditionary forensics. Although the plan includes a mission statement, and goals and objectives -- two of the five key elements identified by GAO as integral to a well-developed strategic plan -- it does not identify approaches for how goals and objectives will be achieved, milestones and metrics to gauge progress, and resources needed to achieve goals and objectives.