# Puerto Rico criminal investigation legislative proposals > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/puerto-rico-criminal-investigation-legislative-proposals > Updated: 2026-08-31T02:29:21.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Legislative efforts in Puerto Rico have recently focused on strengthening criminal investigation capabilities and protocols. On August 28, Representative Lilibeth Rosas Vargas introduced Joint Resolution 393, which proposes establishing a western region branch of the Institute of Forensic Sciences. This branch would include a satellite criminalistics laboratory and medico-legal investigations to assist with rising violent crime in that area. Following this, Senator Brenda Pérez Soto introduced Senate Joint Resolution 206 to address investigative gaps within the island’s correctional institutions. The resolution seeks to mandate a joint protocol between the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to clarify jurisdiction and responsibility regarding crimes involving weapons, explosives, and organized crime inside prisons. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Senator proposes investigation protocol for Puerto Rico prisons Senator Brenda Pérez Soto introduced a resolution requiring Puerto Rico's police and corrections agencies to implement a long-overdue joint protocol for investigating crimes within the prison system. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-proposes-investigation-protocol-for-puerto-rico-prisons ### 2026-08-28: Puerto Rico legislator proposes new forensic science branch Puerto Rico Representative Lilibeth Rosas Vargas has proposed establishing a forensic science branch in the western region to improve criminal investigations and combat rising violence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/puerto-rico-legislator-proposes-new-forensic-science-branch --- Cite as: Puerto Rico criminal investigation legislative proposals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/puerto-rico-criminal-investigation-legislative-proposals