2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2083

Commending Linda C. Jackson.

Agreed to by the Senate, June 29, 2026

WHEREAS, for more than three decades, Linda C. Jackson has provided outstanding leadership to the Department of Forensic Science as director, ensuring that the organization upholds its mission to provide timely, high-quality forensic analysis to law-enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Linda Jackson began her career at the Department of Forensic Science in 1995 as a controlled substances forensic scientist; and

WHEREAS, Linda Jackson went on to serve as a section supervisor, controlled substances section chief, and chemistry program manager, before being appointed in 2013 by Governor Robert F. McDonnell as the organization's first woman director; she was reappointed to serve as director under four successive administrations; and

WHEREAS, among her many achievements as director, Linda Jackson oversaw the opening of the new Department of Forensic Science Central Laboratory in Mechanicsville; and

WHEREAS, Linda Jackson has been an active leader in the national forensic science community, serving on the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs, the National Commission on Forensic Science, the Board of Directors for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and the National Institute of Justice Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group; and

WHEREAS, under Linda Jackson's leadership, the Department of Forensic Science has supported the criminal justice system by delivering reliable services to law-enforcement agencies while consistently maintaining its independence and upholding its commitment to impartiality, integrity, and transparency; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Linda C. Jackson hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as director of the Department of Forensic Science after 31 years of expert leadership and dedicated service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Linda C. Jackson as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her legacy of contributions to the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth.