ASCLD FRC Innovation Award:
Reminder: the application deadline for the ASCLD FRC First Annual Innovation Award is January 17
th
, 2020. The goal of the award is to recognize activities highlighting new technologies, protocols, or tools that impact the operational forensic science laboratory, and is open to scientists from all disciplines. The application can be found at:
https://www.ascld.org/nominations/
Symposium Update:
If you haven’t made your hotel reservation yet, DON’T DELAY! The hotel block is reaching capacity. Reserve your room today.
Are you debating whether to attend the off-site event at the Wynkoop Brewery on March 31? Debate no further. Register today to be a part of “An Evening at the Wyncoop Brewery,” sponsored in part by Justice Trax. Do you have questions about the off-site event? Contact your off-site committee chairs Brady Mills at
Brady.Mills@dps.texas.gov
or Kris Cano at
KCano@scottsdaleaz.gov
.
Paula Davis-Laack is the keynote speaker for Wednesday morning, April 1. Paula will be discussing important topics such as stress, burnout prevention, and resilience. Come listen, learn, and destress! For more information on Paula, visit her website at
www.stressandresilience.com
.
January 14
th
is National Shop for Travel Day according to the National Day Calendar. Use National Shop for Travel Day to jump on those airline websites and book your travel to Denver for the 2020 Symposium.
"You have to enable and empower people to make decisions independent of you. As I've learned, each person on a team is an extension of your leadership; if they feel empowered by you they will magnify your power to lead. Trust is a great force multiplier."
-- Tom Ridge
Enjoy your week - Brooke
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January 17 - 19, 2020
- US TAG Meeting - National Harbor, MD
January 30 – February 1, 2020
– Board of Directors Meeting - Raleigh/Durham, NC
February 21, 2020
- Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic
March 29
–
April 2, 2020
–
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.
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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.
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Weekly News and Resources
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Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys
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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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Georgia Bureau of Investigation-Division of Forensic Sciences Celebrates Third Anniversary as the First Crime Lab to Implement OSAC Registry Standards
In January of 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation-Division of Forensic Sciences (GBI-DOFS) made the decision to adopt all standards placed on the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Registry. This decision was made in support of the efforts of OSAC to identify needs for research and development within the community and to further the standardization of forensic science laboratories by providing standards that have not only been through the rigors of being published by a standards development organization, but have also been determined to be beneficial by our own peers within the community and the Forensic Science Standards Board and in support of the GBI laboratory’s mission statement to, “provide the highest quality forensic services for our customers, achieved through accurate and thorough analyses utilizing state of the art technology. This mission will be accomplished by innovative, highly skilled, unbiased professionals with vision and integrity.”
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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.
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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.
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Thursday, February 6th, 2020 1:00:00 PM ET – 2:30:00 PM ET
Duration: 1.5 hour(s)
L
egacy workflows in toxicology generally involve a drug class screen followed by a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC/MS-MS) confirmation analysis. Additional techniques could also be used in workflows, but their applications were focused on specific drugs. In general, analyses were serial, limited, and often required multiple methods depending on the number of drug classes in the samples. Results required lengthy and costly workflows, especially when toxicologists were working with complicated samples.
Advances in chromatography and mass spectroscopy instrumentation have created opportunities to reduce extractions, increase simultaneous and parallel analyses, reduce sample handling and cost, analyze a broader range of drug classes, and quantitate more routinely. The introduction of technologies like quadrupole time-of flight (QTOF) and high-resolution mass spectroscopy can significantly improve the operations of a toxicology laboratory
Quantitations and broad spectrum analyses have always been a requirement of post-mortem (PM) toxicology. However, driving-under-the-influence of drugs (DUID) analysis is now approaching the complexity and breadth of PM toxicology. Laboratories are required to go well beyond DUI/alcohol impairment information to a multitude of drug classes, including anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, volatiles, pain medications, fentanyl, cannabinoids, barbiturates, and others. Traditional drugs of abuse are also included in the requested analyses. In addition to this range of drugs, quantitative information (including multiple replicates if possible) is extremely valuable for stakeholders.
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8 Week Virtual Course for Criminal Justice Professionals
Lab Launches: February 3, 2020
Join Mindgen for an evidence-based journey to improve resilience at work and home. You’ll discover how to transform your relationship with stress & vicarious trauma to be your best self in times of adversity and critical decision making.
Build sustainable habits to improve the quality of work and life in 8 weeks. The entire program for criminal justice professionals is mapped out including how to fit it into your busy schedule. The lessons are succinct as the real transformation comes from completing the daily action items and participating in community calls.
You will learn evidence- based resilience tools to make better decisions, respond instead of react, and take back control from chronic stress. This lab has been set up for you to be successful with easy web course access, private/online community, and four live and recorded community calls.
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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
February 4-7, 2020, San Antonio, TX
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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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:
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Forensic Research Committee
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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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Newly Identified Novels Psychoactive Substances
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Recent Additions:
(click drug name for more information)
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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
.
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Click
HERE to review standards available for comment.
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January 2020 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click
HERE
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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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