President's Message
ASCLD ACCREDITATION INITIATIVE
 
ASCLD's interest in supporting universal accreditation is a long-standing priority. In 2018, the ASCLD Accreditation Initiative (AAI) was created as a pilot to assess the value of establishing a mentoring program to assist labs in becoming accredited. ASCLD initiated agreements with five laboratories willing to commit and focus resources on preparing and achieving laboratory accreditation within 18 months. As part of the Agreement, ASCLD agrees to assign a mentor to help walk the laboratory through each step of the ASCLD Roadmap with an end goal to achieve accreditation. 
 
This year, ASCLD will move forward with accepting additional applications for laboratories seeking assistance with preparing for accreditation.
 
All applications submitted for laboratory assistance and to become a mentor will be reviewed by the Board of Directors.
 
For laboratories requesting assistance, please complete the intake form found at  https://www.ascld.org/accreditation-initiative-intake-form/ . All laboratories requesting assistance will participate in an application survey and agree to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to commit time, resources, and a budget to prepare and achieve accreditation within a specified timeframe. ASCLD will then assign a mentor to the laboratory to walk through the steps of the AAI Roadmap and to prepare for the assessment conducted by the accrediting body.
 
To become a mentor with AAI, visit the ASCLD Accreditation Toolkit at  https://www.ascld.org/ascldaccreditationtoolkit/  and click on the Volunteers link to review the criteria, expectations, and instructions on how to apply as a mentor.
 
For questions pertaining to the AAI, contact Executive Director John Byrd at  asclddirector@gmail.com .

KEEPING OUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMED:
 
Our Executive Director submitted an application to the U.S. Small Business Administration – Payroll Protection Program (PPP) as a part of the US Government response to the Coronavirus pandemic.   Non-profits affected by the coronavirus pandemic were eligible to apply. With the cancellation of our 2020 Symposium and our income severely curtailed, ASCLD’s Executive Team thought it prudent to make application for the loan to protect our financial solvency.  This particular loan under PPP is forgivable as long as it is used for its intended use which in our case is for payroll, only.
 
Surprise! ASCLD has been approved!!
 
After completing the extensive application through our Bank, Wells Fargo, ASCLD qualified for $16,682.  The loan period is through December 2020. This money will be deposited directly into our Business Checking account. If you have any questions, please reach out to John Byrd.
 
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” – Jim Rohn
 
Have an outstanding week,
 
Brooke
Looking Ahead
May 22, 2020 - Board Meeting - telephonic
June 17, 2020 - Annual Meeting - virtual (1pm EST)
Weekly News and Resources
Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys

This research shows how microscopic particles—in this case, from drug powders—can be spread around a forensic chemistry lab when handling evidence. The spread of small amounts of drug particles cannot be completely eliminated, but it’s important for labs to manage the problem, both for reasons of workplace safety and to ensure that measurement quality isn’t affected
ASCLD is leading the review and update of three of the IFSA MRDs. Your comments and suggested updates are appreciated.  Please contact the lead reviewer for each document with your suggestions:
Kevin Lothridge (seized drugs), Erin Forry (DNA), and Brooke Arnone (Crime Scene)

Message from the Trauma & Stress Working Group:

Recently, the Trauma & Stress Working group has added a document to the Manger’s Toolkit which will help managers detect and mitigate stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout in forensic practitioners. The timely detection and mitigation of these issues is critical for the individual's well-being and the employer's retention of productive employees. We would like to encourage everyone review the document  Management Detection and Mitigation of Stress, Vicarious Trauma, and Burnout in Forensic Practitioners
Forensic Research Committee Bulletin - March 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... 
2020 Research Innovation Award (from the Forensic Research Award Committee):

Amber K. Burns, Chemistry Section Manager for the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division.

See the FRC webpage for more information
Funding Opportunities
For the most up to date Funding Opportunities visit: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/current

FY2020 Academic-based Drug Field Testing and Training Initiative Due May 8, 2020

FY2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Due May 11, 2020

FY2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Due May 29, 2020

FY 2020 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence Due June 15, 2020

FY 2020 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence – Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting (SAFE-ITR) Program Due June 15, 2020

FY2020 Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program Due June 15, 2020

FY 2020 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program – Competitive
Due June 19, 2020

FY 2020 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program – Formula
Due June 19, 2020

Standards Corner


Click HERE to review standards available for comment.

OSAC News
Spring 2020 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click HERE
Training
FREE 2020 Forensic Symposium: Current Trends in Forensic Toxicology
Register now at www.forensicsymposium.org
For additional information, please visit  https://iafs2020.com.au/
ANAB - Upcoming training events

June 16-19, 2020, Minneapolis, MN
September 15-18, 2020, Washington, D.C.
November 3-6, 2020, Rancho Cordova, CA
 
May 12-15, 2020, San Francisco, CA
June 9-12, 2020, Milwaukee, WI
June 23-26, 2020, Towson, MD
November 16-19, 2020 Fort Worth, TX

June 23-26, 2020 (2-4pm ET)

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

May 5-8, 2020, Washington, D.C.
August 4-7, 2020, St. Louis

May 19, 2020, Cary, NC
May 20-21, 2020, Cary, NC 
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.
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