President's Message
This week I wanted to showcase the Member Resource Committee and provide you with a couple of the projects they have been working on this past year. To see all of their projects, check out the Executive Education Digest that is posted on the ASCLD website and review the committee’s annual report.

The Member Resource Committee (MRC) has posted two new resources in the ASCLD Manager’s Toolkit ! Follow the link and log into the ASCLD website to access the following:

MRC Interview Question Bank – this document contains a brief overview of good hiring practices and a collection of interview questions submitted by member laboratories. This document does not contain interview questions specific to all disciplines, but is a living document, and can be expanded in the future. If you can contribute, please send questions to Linda Jackson ( linda.jackson@dfs.virginia.gov).

2019 Forensic Lab Compensation Survey – Thanks to those members who provided information to the salary survey, conducted by the Kentucky State Police Laboratory last year, the spreadsheet containing the raw data is provided along with cost of living comparisons for member use.

The MRC would like to ensure that it is providing information that is useful to the forensic community. Please share your ideas for new MRC projects by answering the following question using the attached survey link:

Is there a topic that the MRC could focus on that you believe would be beneficial to the Forensic Community? Please describe below.


“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." --Douglas MacArthur

Have an amazing week. Stay healthy. Stay connected.

Brooke
Looking Ahead
May 15, 2020 - Board Meeting - telephonic
June 17, 2020 - Annual Meeting - virtual (1pm EST)
Weekly News and Resources
Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys
In Memoriam

Howard Dobres retired Lab Director, DEA New York Lab, passed away last Thursday after a long battle with cancer. Howard was a mentor to many of our members.

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
SWGDRUG Would like your Input

The Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) has posted two DRAFT revised documents for review by the forensic science community. To ensure the document addresses the needs of the community, SWGDRUG invites your comments and suggestions.  

The two documents are available on the SWGDRUG website  http://www.swgdrug.org/pending.htm . Please provide your comments on this proposed document using the provided survey links. 

PART IV A- QUALITY ASSURANCE/GENERAL PRACTICES:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2C3Z2XN

SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENT SD-5, REPORTING EXAMPLES:    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2QJXQZK

Responses from the community will be collected until May 10, 2020. Thank you for taking part in the recommendation process. SWGDRUG appreciates your efforts in helping to build consensus within the community.  

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