The forensic investigations council is established pursuant to chapter 398, Laws of 1995. The purpose of the forensic investigations council is to:

(1) Preserve and enhance the state crime laboratory;

(2) Fund the death investigation system and to make related state and local institutions more efficient;

(3) Preserve and enhance the state toxicology laboratory;

(4) Provide resources necessary for the performance, by qualified pathologists, of autopsies;

(5) Improve the performance of death investigations and the criminal justice system through the formal training of county coroners and county medical examiners;

(6) Establish and maintain a dental identification system; and

(7) Provide flexibility so that any county may establish a county morgue when it serves the public interest.

The forensic investigations council consists of twelve members, selected by the governor, as follows: One county coroner; one county prosecutor; one county prosecutor who also serves as ex officio county coroner; one county medical examiner; one county sheriff; one chief of police; the chief of the state patrol; two members of a county legislative authority; and one pathologist who is currently in private practice; and two members of a city legislative authority.

There shall be a chair and vice chair elected from the members of the council. The chair does not vote except in case of a tie vote.

(1) The forensic investigations council shall hold its regular meetings on the fourth Friday of each month, at 9:00 a.m., at the State of Washington Combined Transportation Center WSP Crime Laboratory, 2502 112th St. East, Tacoma, WA 98455. If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday, such meeting shall be held at the direction of the chair. The forensic investigations council may hold other meetings from time to time when called by the chair or when requested, in writing, by five members of the council.

(2) Seven members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(3) All meetings of the council shall be open to the public pursuant to chapter 42.30 RCW Open Public Meetings Act.

(4) Meetings of the council shall be held in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, Current Revised Edition, whenever requested by any member of the commission.

(5) Conference calls by telephone are a proper form of meeting.

All public records of the forensic investigations council, including minutes, shall be available unless exempt for disclosure under chapters 42.17 or 42.30 RCW. Any member of the public may examine records of the commission by directing a request to the Executive or Deputy Director of the Washington Association of County Officials, 206 Tenth Avenue SE, Olympia, Washington 98501-1311, (360) 753-7319, fax: 753-2842. The charge for copying records shall be pursuant to RCW 42.17.300.