The Virginia State Crime Commission (“Crime Commission") was established within the legislative branch of government in 1966. The Crime Commission is a criminal justice agency (Va. Code § 9.1-101) that is authorized to study, report, and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection (VA. Code § 30-156 et seq.). The Crime Commission consists of thirteen members – six members of the House of Delegates, three members of the Senate, three non-legislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, and the Attorney General or his designee.

During 2025, staff continued work on the 2024 budget language directing the Crime Commission to identify cases at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS) where Mary Jane Burton performed forensic testing or analysis. In addition, the Crime Commission began work on 2025 legislation (HB 2730/SB1465) establishing a review panel for certain cases where Ms. Burton was the forensic examiner, including cases of individuals who are currently incarcerated, were executed, or were exonerated, as well as cases where Ms. Burton testified, regardless of the final disposition.

The Crime Commission also undertook new studies in 2025, including (i) electronic records, (ii) firearm purchaser licenses, and (iii) photo speed monitoring devices. Further, staff continued work on prior studies, including (i) sealing of criminal records, (ii) use of surveillance technology by law enforcement, (iii) use of artificial intelligence by law enforcement, and (iv) use of automatic license plate recognition by law enforcement. Finally, staff continued to consult with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) on a sex trafficked youth pilot program and participated as a member of the Virginia Pretrial Advancement Team that was formed as part of the DCJS pilot of the Public Safety Assessment.

The Crime Commission held meetings on August 19th, November 19th, and December 2nd. At the August meeting, members received guest presentations on photo speed monitoring devices, impaired driving, and the implementation of the sealing of criminal records and Rap Back Service. At the November meeting, members heard a staff presentation on firearm purchaser licenses and guest presentations on firearm-related deaths and injuries, Virginia’s Firearms Transaction Center, and Ceasefire Virginia.

At the December meeting, staff presented on photo speed monitoring devices and provided an update on the 2024 budget language and 2025 legislation related to May Jane Burton. In addition, DCJS presented findings from its 2025 Surveillance Technology Equipment Reporting Survey and the Virginia State Police updated members on the implementation of the sealing of criminal records.

The Executive Director serves as the designee of the Chair of the Crime Commission on the Forensic Science Board, Indigent Defense Commission, and Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The Executive Director also serves as an ad hoc member of the State Child Fatality Review Team and as an advisory board member of the Virginia State Police Witness Protection Program. Additional information about the Crime Commission is available at https://vscc.virginia.gov/.