President's Message
Another weekend of hiking had me thinking just how much hiking and forensics have in common. Bear with me for a moment as I share with you my thoughts on this matter.

When you go hiking, there is a sense of family. Other hikers are on the trail, all sharing a common goal. Reach the end of the trail, don’t get hurt, relax, and enjoy your time in the outdoors. If you have been hiking recently, think about the other people on the trail. Everyone says hello. They step to the side so others can pass safely, and although I have never seen it written anywhere, it appears as if those going down the trail have the right of way to those going up the trail. You can stop on a trail and have a conversation. Other hikers motivate you, saying things like, “you are almost there”, “it is worth it”, and “don’t give up.” They are there for each other. If someone needs water, food, or help getting down from a slightly rocky encounter, another hiker is there to lend a hand.

In forensics, it is very much the same. We are family. I believe that all of us would lend a hand when needed, to anyone else in the field. We do it without a second thought. We do it, not for the accolades, but because it is the right thing to do. Think about it. Have you ever needed help with a method? Have you ever needed help with getting accredited? Have you ever needed a better understanding of an accreditation standard? Have you ever needed some training for your personnel that another lab could provide? Most likely, the answer to at least one was “yes”. We are a community that helps each other. We are a community, a family. Every day we do great and wonderful things. Even though most of the time, our work is done behind the scenes, it is important. We do lend a hand when it is needed. We say, “absolutely I/we can help you, what do you need.” For this I say, “THANK YOU”.

“Regardless of out title or years of experience, we can learn from each other. Through mentoring and by being open to learn, we can reach our ultimate potential.” – Lily Benjamin

Have a wonderful week - Brooke
Looking Ahead
February 21, 2020 - Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic
March 20, 2020 - Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic (if necessary)
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
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
Weekly News and Resources
Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys

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.
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...
 
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.

For additional information, please visit  https://iafs2020.com.au/
Standards Corner


Click HERE to review standards available for comment.

OSAC News
January 2020 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click HERE
Training
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.

Learn more here
 
 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.
 
Enroll and learn more: The Evidence Within Lab
 
Set up a discovery call: info@mindgenllc.com
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
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 forensic@fiu.edu
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 
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