The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors’ (ASCLD) is committed to promoting, encouraging, and maintaining the highest standards of practice in forensic science. This is accomplished, in part, by encouraging the adoption of standards and best practice recommendations endorsed by the Organization for Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC). ASCLD understands that implementation of new methods or protocols is often challenging and resource intensive. In an effort to support the forensic science community, ASCLD is interested in understanding key challenges and barriers to implementation and identifying potential solutions to increase the likelihood agencies/organizations can increase consistency and quality of forensic science practices. Further, ASCLD is interested in capturing baseline information related to the extent to which documents developed or approved by OSAC have been implemented or intend to be implemented into agency/organization standard operating procedures.
To accomplish this, the ASCLD Forensic Research Committee and Standards & Accreditation Initiatives Committee have developed a web-based online survey. Among its benefits, the survey aims to provide baseline information and feedback about the extent documents included on the OSAC Registry have been implemented or are intended to be implemented into crime laboratory standard operating procedures, and to identify key challenges many laboratories face with implementation initiatives. Once this baseline is established, the Standards & Accreditation Initiatives Committee will continue to evaluate the operational impact of proposed OSAC standards through Impact Surveys distributed to the ASCLD membership. These surveys provide a deeper understanding to issues surrounding implementation and will enable the ASCLD, OSAC, and other stakeholders, to develop solutions to lower the barriers and promote greater consistency across the forensic science community.
The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and is intended for forensic science professionals actively working in agencies/organizations providing forensic science services. I encourage you to participate in the survey so that ASCLD can better understand the issues and better support and represent your needs. The link to the survey is below and will close on March 31, 2020.
Ed Rhodes Scholarship – applications extended to February 24th
ASCLD receives 1 complimentary sitting per calendar year for any American Board of Criminalistics, Inc. (ABC) examination. This scholarship is in memory of Edward Rhodes, who was a pioneer in forensic education and certification. The complimentary sitting is for either an ASCLD member or someone in a member’s organization. ABC examinations are hosted at various locations and times throughout the year. For more information or to apply, visit
www.ascld.org/nominations
.
Have a great week - Brooke
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February 21, 2020
- Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic
March 20, 2020
- Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic (if necessary)
March 29
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April 2, 2020
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ASCLD Symposium, Denver - CO
April 2, 2020
- ASCLD Annual Business Meeting - ASCLD Symposium, Denver, CO
April 27 - May 2, 2020
- TC 272 Full Technical Committee Meeting - Copenhagen
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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.
The Hyatt is sold out. However, you will find information on the website regarding two overflow hotels within two blocks from the symposium location.
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Weekly News and Resources
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Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys
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Laboratory managers and supervisors may be interested in getting their laboratory involved in this very important study. See attached for announcement from NIST and Noblis.
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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...
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The impact that stress has on a person’s mind and body can be dramatic, but the effects are amplified when the stressors involve violent, graphic, or traumatic material. Amy Jeanguenat and Andrew Levin are working to provide support to those affected by this vicarious trauma, with an emphasis on forensic scientists and first responders. Listen along as they discuss stress, mindfulness, and the future of resiliency in this episode of Just Science.
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Click
HERE to review standards available for comment.
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February 2020 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click
HERE
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Save the date for the 2020 Forensic Laboratory Counsel Training
for information, click
HERE
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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.
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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
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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.
Questions about attending, sponsoring or presenting at the symposium? Email
forensic@fiu.edu
.
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ANAB - Upcoming training events
September 15-18, 2020, Washington, D.C.
November 3-6, 2020, Rancho Cordova, CA
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
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Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
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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.
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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.
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The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
65 Glen Road, Suite 123
Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 919.773.2044
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