Here's a quick update from us...You don't want to miss this.
President's Message
Dear ASCLD Colleagues,
The newly-formed National Association of Forensic Laboratory Counsel will have its first annual meeting and training session on May 19 and 20, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. This virtual training session is open to any attorney advising a public forensic laboratory that primarily provides forensic services to government or law enforcement agencies. The training agenda and registration form are below. For more information regarding membership in the Association, please contact Amy C. Jenkins at amy.jenkins@dfs.virginia.gov.
The ASCLD Forensic Research Committee is happy to announce the Researchers Seeking Practitioners project. This project, available on the FRC page of the ASCLD website, will be a repository for researchers to list studies available for collaboration with forensic laboratories. To register a research study and see a list of available studies, visit https://www.ascld.org/forensic-research-committee/
Are you interested in presenting at ASCLD 2021? Click HERE to submit an abstract.
Continue to watch the 2021 ASCLD Symposium website here. for important updates. If you have any questions, please contact our Symposium Chair, Laura Sudkamp, laura.sudkamp@ky.gov.
Calling all alumni of the ASCLD Leadership Academy, West Virginia Forensic Management Academy, or UC Davis Forensic Science Leadership and Management Program!
Do you wish you could apply that completed course to become a Level 1 Certified Forensic Manager? NOW YOU CAN! Announcing the ASCLD Level 1 Certified Forensic Manager BRIDGE Course. Click here for more information
The Forensic Research Committee releases Bulletin 6 (link here) with information on new innovation awards, Lightning Talks, and the Researchers Seeking Practitioners Study Form and database. Check out https://www.ascld.org/forensic-research-committee/ for exciting developments from the FRC! Click here for the April 2021 bulletin
The ASCLD Forensic Research Committee is proud to announce the next episode of a virtual “Lightning Talks” series to highlight new and emerging research in all areas of forensic science. Each episode will feature three short talks given by practitioners, researchers, and/or students. The sixth episode will be held on Thursday May 6th at 1:00 EST and will focus on Cognitive Bias in Forensic Science. It will feature talks by Dr. Hilary Hamnett from the University of Lincoln on cognitive bias in forensic toxicology, Dr. Jeff Kukucka from Towson University on understanding and avoiding cognitive contamination in forensic decision making, and Dr. Bethany Growns from the University of Exeter on cognitive reflexes in forensic science decision making. The live event is limited to 100 people. To register, visit https://www.ascld.org/forensic-research-committee/. Click here for more information on our speakers
Also, please continue to submit your photos to social media with the hashtag #ASCLDfun
Here are some photos of forensic science in action!
Is your laboratory doing something exciting like building a new lab, incorporating new standards or tackling and overcoming operational challenges during COVID? Are you interested in submitting an article for publication in the CLM? Please submit articles electronically to https://www.ascld.org/clm-submission/
Legislative Corner
Consortium of
Forensic Science Organizations
CFSO has pulled together an article to explain why it is important for us forensic scientists to pay attention to key pieces of legislation. Be sure to check that out here.
The newly-formed National Association of Forensic Laboratory Counsel will have its first annual meeting and training session on May 19 and 20, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. This virtual training session is open to any attorney advising a public forensic laboratory that primarily provides forensic services to government or law enforcement agencies. The training agenda and registration form are attached. For more information regarding membership in the Association, please contact Amy C. Jenkins at amy.jenkins@dfs.virginia.gov.
Recently, the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) held a webinar on the Value of Forensics. The webinar can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/5lDz7omqvSg. See presentations from training below:
2021 Current Trends Symposium on Forensic Toxicology
Registration is now open for the 2021 Current Trends Symposium on Forensic Toxicology (May 31st – June 4th). Click here for the description of this symposium and click here for the symposium schedule.
Community Research and Surveys
NIST researchers give law enforcement and public health experts new tools to combat fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Find more information here
Donate to ASCLD
Donations to ASCLD can now be made online! This is a great way to honor the memory of a forensic colleague, to commemorate a life event for that person who has everything, or to otherwise assist in supporting the tireless efforts of the ASCLD organization in the pursuit of excellence in forensic science management. The donation page can be accessed by clicking HERE or by visiting the ASCLD website and clicking on "Donate to ASCLD" under the "Member Site" tab (this donation page is accessible even to non-members). Please consider donating and do share this information with anyone you think might be interested.
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
