President's Message
Awards and Nominations Committee Notifications:
 
I inadvertently missed an awards notification last week and wanted to make sure to get the information out this week, due to the short turnaround time.
 
Ed Rhodes Scholarship:
 
ASCLD receives 1(one) complimentary sitting per calendar year for any American Board of Criminalistics, Inc. (ABC) examination. The complimentary sitting is for either an ASCLD member or someone in a member’s organization. Information and the application can be found on the ASCLD website http://www.ascld.org/nominations/ . Applications are due December 31, 2019 for any test date in 2020.
 
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] and your questions will be forwarded to Nominations & Awards committee chair Dr. Scott O’Neill.
 
Thank you ASCLD Members:
 
Many individuals helped contribute to the report “Promising Practices in Forensic Lab Intelligence,” and many are current ASCLD members. I would like to send out a “thank you” to all of you for a job well done. In case you haven’t had a chance to read the report, I have attached the link for you.
 
 
Symposium 2020 Update:
 
The Tuesday morning keynote speaker this year is Deborah Lee James. Come hear from Ms. James, how she approaches leadership and what she feels is important. Walk away with a problem-solving process that you can use in your laboratory. To find out more about Deborah Lee James, visit www.deborahleejames.com .
 
Have you made your hotel reservations? The rooms are filling up fast. Don’t be left having to find another hotel. Make your reservations today using the hotel link found on the hotel tab on the ascldsymposium.com website.
 
“Be an influence of positivity.” – Kimberly Banner
 
Enjoy - Brooke
Looking Ahead
December 20, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting - teleconference
January 31 February 2, 2020 Board of Directors Meeting - Raleigh/Durham, NC
March 29 April 2, 2020 ASCLD Symposium, Denver - CO
ASCLD is pleased to announce that registration for the 2020 symposium has opened. Come explore the website, make your hotel reservations, reserve your spot for the off-site event, sign up for classes, and read about your key note speakers.

Visit the 2020 ASCLD Symposium website at  https://www.ascldsymposium.com
Did you know??
At the request of the National Archives, NIST's ballistics team has used advanced 3D imaging to create high resolution digital replicas of the bullets and bullet fragments recovered after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Why do this if the case has been closed for more than 50 years? The mission of the National Archives is to provide the public with access to federal government artifacts and records, and they receive many requests to view these particular objects. This project will allow the Archives to release 3D replicas to the public while the originals remain safely preserved in their temperature and humidity-controlled vault. 


This was strictly a historic preservation project that did not involve any forensic analysis. But the methods the researchers developed to complete this project have advanced the science of forensic ballistics and offer a glimpse into the future of the field.
Weekly News and Resources
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is pleased to release the NFLIS-Tox and NFLIS-MEC Brief on Toxicology Testing Practices for Opiates and Opioids Across the Nation .
Community Research and Surveys
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is pleased to release the NFLIS-Drug 2019 Survey of Crime Laboratory Drug Chemistry Sections Report , which is available for download here.

The NFLIS-Drug 2019 Survey Report presents findings from the NFLIS-Drug 2019 Survey of Crime Laboratory Drug Chemistry Sections administered from April through August 2019. The survey collected information on laboratory caseloads, policies, and practices for calendar year 2018. Overall, 94% of State and local laboratories participated in the survey.

Scientists have demonstrated a way for police to quickly and safely test whether a baggie or other package contains illegal drugs without having to handle any suspicious contents directly. The new technique can limit the risk of accidental exposure to fentanyl and other highly potent drugs that can be dangerous if a small amount is accidentally inhaled.

Continue reading here .
Training
The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education presents its 8th annual course in interpretive postmortem toxicology. This is an in-depth course which explores one of the most challenging areas of forensic science. Speakers will cover the complex range of considerations that must be applied in performing analysis, reporting and interpreting results in postmortem toxicological casework.

Factors from choice of samples, collection tubes, postmortem redistribution, analytical approach, drug-drug interactions and tolerance all play a part in providing accurate and reliable interpretive input for the pathologist or medical examiner. The course is suitable for both forensic toxicologists and forensic pathologists.

The course will address all aspects of the investigation of toxicological death, from the scene investigation, to the autopsy, design of analytical approach tailored to specific types of death, to the interpretation of the results, including assessment of postmortem redistribution. The course will review the forensic pharmacology and toxicology of the major drug categories found in toxic deaths, including opioids, CNS depressants and antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, stimulants, CO, CN H2S, as well as less frequently tested-for toxins such as metals, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents.

CME credits will be offered.
72 nd Annual Scientific Meeting of AAFS
February 17 – 22, 2020
Anaheim, CA

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) will conduct its 72 nd Annual Scientific Meeting February 17-22, 2020, in Anaheim, California.  Each February, the AAFS scientific meeting gathers together approximately 5,000 world-renowned professionals to present the most current information, research, and updates in their fields. More than 900 scientific papers, workshops, and other special sessions are presented. In addition, approximately 150 exhibitors showcase the cutting-edge technology and services of this ever-changing profession. The theme for the 2020 meeting is “Crossing Borders.”  The Advance Program may be viewed here - https://www.aafs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020_AdvanceProgram.pdf
Evidence Management Conference Webcast

The NIST Evidence Management Conference was held from Oct. 2 – 4. The videos talk about area available and are located here: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2019/10/evidence-management-conference
9th Annual Forensic Science Symposium
June 2-4, 2020
Miami, Florida

Join more than 200 forensic science colleagues and aspiring scientists from Florida and beyond at the 9th Annual Forensic Science Symposium at the beautiful Florida International University Modesto A. Maidique Campus in Miami. The symposium will be held June 2-4, 2020.

The 2020 symposium will showcase topics like DNA, chemistry, toxicology, digital forensics and latent prints, and include expanded criminal justice subjects beyond the laboratory. Workshops and a poster session will be included. Registration will be $30 and free for students. Group registration for agencies is also available.

We are looking for innovative topics and dynamic speakers to share their expertise. A call for abstracts will be released soon. 

You can sign up for news on the symposium webpage , follow # FIUForensics for updates, and even visit the event page to set a registration reminder. 

Questions about attending, sponsoring or presenting at the symposium? Email [email protected]
For additional information, please visit  https://iafs2020.com.au/
ANAB - Upcoming training events

December 10-13, 2019, Emeryville, CA
February 4-7, 2020, San Antonio, TX
September 15-18, 2020, Washington, D.C.
November 3-6, 2020, Rancho Cordova, CA
 
December 10-13, 2019, Mesa, AZ
March 10-13, 2020, Little Rock, AR
April 21-24, 2020, Rancho Cordova, CA
April 28-May 1, 2020, New York, NY
June 9-12, 2020, Milwaukee, WI

March 16-19, 2020 (2-4pm ET)
June 24-25, 2020 (2-4pm ET)

March 3-5, 2020 (11am-1pm ET)
June 24-26, 2020 (11am-1pm ET)

April 7-9, 2020, Washington, D.C.

March 3-6, 2020, San Antonio, TX
May 5-8, 2020, Washington, D.C.

February 25, 2020, Cary, NC

February 26-27, 2020, Cary, NC 
Digital Forensics Training

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs that improve and reinforce the nations' criminal justice system. Below is some information on digital forensics training opportunities (both classroom or virtual/online) and resources funded by BJA, including the Law Enforcement Cyber Center, and trainings organized by NW3C. NW3C is the training and technical assistance provider under the BJA Economic, High-Technology, White Collar, and Internet Crime Prevention National TTA Program. BJA has also encouraged online course offerings to save time/costs of travel, and included trainings for prosecutors, too. (Note: some NW3C courses sponsored apart from BJA funding may have a cost).  Click the links below for more information:
Forensic Research Committee
Forensic Research Committee Bulletin - December Issue
The goal of the Laboratories and Educators Alliance Program (LEAP) is to facilitate collaborative research between academia and forensic science laboratories. This joint effort between the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) and the Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE) identifies forensic science needs and provides a platform for laboratories, researchers, and students to seek projects aligning with their mutual research capabilities. Read more...
Newly Identified Novels Psychoactive Substances

Recent Additions:
(click drug name for more information)
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, have received funding from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to develop systems for the early identification and notification of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the drug supply in the United States. The goal of the program is the early identification of these substances in seized drug and forensic toxicology casework samples through various high resolution mass spectrometry retrospective data-mining and sample-mining techniques. Information about these programs can be found on our website .
Standards Corner


Click HERE to review standards available for comment.

OSAC News
December 2019 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click HERE
ASCLD Partnerships
Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
A2LA WorkPlace Training (A2LA WPT) is a nonprofit organization established with a vision of being the leading management systems, conformity assessment, and measurement training company in the world. Our mission is to provide independent, world-class training programs that inspire confidence in the quality of service and acceptance of results from organizations.
 
Be a leader in your industry by building confidence and consistency in your product through A2LA WPT’s broad spectrum of instructor-led and online e-learning training courses. Move ahead of your competition by learning best practices on international standards, quality systems, technical tools, and soft skill s.
Newsletters
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

65 Glen Road, Suite 123
Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 919.773.2044