SEARCH is pleased to announce that David J. Karnitz, Assistant Chief, Technical Services Bureau, Washington State Patrol, was appointed to the SEARCH Membership on February 7, 2008. He was appointed by Governor Christine O. Gregoire from the state of Washington.

"We're pleased to welcome Assistant Chief Karnitz to the SEARCH Membership, and look forward to his valuable expertise and participation," said Mr. Ronald P. Hawley, SEARCH Executive Director.

The SEARCH Membership Group, which governs SEARCH, is comprised of one gubernatorial appointee from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as eight at-large appointees selected by SEARCH's Chair. This national body of state-level professionals is widely representative of the various disciplines within the justice system, and many are responsible for operational decisions and policymaking concerning the management of criminal justice information, particularly criminal history information. The Membership Group fosters cooperation and communication among justice system professionals in identifying and implementing solutions to common problems.