The Crime Commission undertook several new studies, including law enforcement use of (i) automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), (ii) surveillance technology, and (iii) artificial intelligence. As a result of budget language enacted during the 2024 Session of the General Assembly, the Crime Commission was directed to identify cases where Mary Jane Burton, a forensic examiner at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS) from 1973 to 1988, performed testing or analysis. The budget language was enacted in response to allegations that Ms. Burton engaged in misconduct during her employment with DFS, including errors and alterations of test results and misleading testimony. Staff also continued work on legislation regarding the sealing of criminal history records.

Crime Commission staff also assisted the Senate Finance Committee in a review of costs, fines, and fees for juveniles, and consulted with the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) on a sex trafficked youth pilot program. Finally, staff served as a member of the Virginia Pretrial Advancement Team, which was established as part of the DCJS pilot of the Public Safety Assessment.

The Crime Commission met in 2024 on October 22nd, November 14th, and December 16th, and on January 17, 2025. At the October meeting, DFS provided a presentation on measures taken as a result of the allegations against Ms. Burton, along with its ongoing process to notify convicted individuals in her cases. Commission staff also provided an overview of the progress on the case review as directed by the 2024 budget language, as well as potential next steps to address the allegations against Ms. Burton. At the November meeting, members received updates from stakeholders on the implementation of the criminal record sealing processes and a presentation from Commission staff on the ALPR study. At the December meeting, DCJS presented findings from its 2024 Surveillance Technology Equipment Reporting Survey and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) provided an overview of its 2025 legislative package.

At the January meeting, members endorsed the following legislation, all of which was introduced and enacted into law during the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly:

• Amendments to criminal record sealing (HB 2723 and SB 1466);

• Clarifications to the reporting of surveillance technology by law enforcement (HB 2725);

• Panel review of certain DFS cases of Ms. Burton (HB 2730 and SB 1465); and,

• Statewide regulation of law enforcement use of ALPR (HB 2724).

The Chair of the Crime Commission, or Executive Director as the Chair’s designee, serves on the Forensic Science Board, Indigent Defense Commission, and Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence.