THE MANY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS WHO BELIEVE THAT THE FORENSIC SCIENCES ARE UNDERUTILIZED IN THE UNITED STATES GENERALLY ATTRIBUTE THE SITUATION TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: (1) POLICE EXECUTIVES: LACK OF AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES, (2) FAILURE OF SCIENTISTS TO COMMUNICATE THEIR NEEDS TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO COORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, (3) LACK OF FORENSIC SCIENCE FACILITIES CLOSE TO AGENCIES REQUIRING SERVICES, (4) BUDGETARY RESTRICTION, (5) FAILURE OF JUDGES TO DEMAND RIGOROUS SCIENTIFIC TESTIMONY, (6) FAILURE OF PROSECUTORS TO DEMAND FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS DURING CASE PREPARATION, (7) LACK OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND ADEQUATE QUALITY CONTROL IN FORENSIC FACILITIES, (8) SUPERFICIAL TREATMENT OF EVIDENCE AS A RESULT OF SCIENTISTS' WORKLOADS, AND (9) INEFFECTIVE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PROCESSES OF RECOVERY AND EVIDENCE ANALYSIS. IN ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS, THE FIRST STEP IS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN FORENSIC SCIENTISTS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. EACH JURISDICTION MUST THEN DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SYSTEM IT NEEDS AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDS AND PERSONNEL TO IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM. IN DEVELOPING FORENSIC RESOURCES, THE EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE TAPPED. (LKM)