Oneida County DA Scott McNamara Named to State Commission

UTICA – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Oneida County District Attorney Scott D. McNamara has been appointed to the Commission on Forensic Science and Establishment of DNA Identification Index.

The 13-member body is responsible for creating accreditation standards for forensic labs, with an emphasis on making them effective, efficient, reliable and accurate. It is also responsible for promoting cooperation and coordination between labs and the criminal justice system. The commission also establishes policy for the DNA Identification Index, which was first established in 1999.

“I am pleased to join state leaders in science and criminal justice on this panel,” said McNamara. “I thank Senator Griffo for sponsoring my application, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for recommending me and Governor Cuomo for appointing me to this commission.”

Added Griffo: “Scott is a very capable prosecutor and will be a great representative for his profession on this commission.”

McNamara’s term on the commission will expire on July 1, 2017. He succeeds James A. Murphy, the former Saratoga County district attorney.

McNamara, a Deansboro native, is a graduate of Waterville Central School, Syracuse University and Vermont Law School. He became an assistant district attorney in Oneida County in 1992 and was bureau chief of the narcotics unit for 12 years.

He was first elected as Oneida County District Attorney in November 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. His tenure has included the establishment of an Economic Crime Unit and a Conviction Integrity Unit. He has also appointed a liaison to improve communication between his staff and community members.