Happy Monday! I hope everyone is warm and with power today following the winter weather of the past week. I am curled up on the couch with my laptop this morning, coffee in hand, watching the sun slowly melt the snow and contemplating my week ahead.
This Friday, February 11th, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. When I started in the forensic laboratory in 1989, it was very much a male dominated arena, especially on the chemistry side of the house. It has been interesting to watch the balance shift over the years. We are now close to a 60:40 split female to male in our laboratory system. I can remember in college when people asked me what I was studying, many were surprised to learn it was Chemistry. That was not a common choice for girls back then and I liked to tease in return “What do you think would be more appropriate for a girl to study?” My spark to go into a scientific field was fueled by the desire to help solve crimes through the use of science. Forensic Science is a field with an allure to both men and women across the globe. The ASCLD International Committee has worked with Florida International University to produce the flyers below and invite you to attend an online panel discussion on Friday from 3:00 to 4:00 eastern time. You can register at this link. go.fiu.edu/ForensicRegistration
The International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) would like to draw your attention to a survey to gather information on how the Forensic Science Community has responded to, and been affected by, the impact of COVID-19. Information will be collected globally, and an analysis of the data will be shared with the global community by IFSA to help build resilience and preparedness. They seek responses from forensic scientists and associate practitioners within the justice systems (law enforcement, scene of crime, legal practitioners, forensic medical practitioners, academics, trainers and administrative staff within forensic science organizations). All responses will be completely anonymous. Please follow this link to the survey - https://dundee.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ifsa-covid-19-impact-survey
I found this link interesting and am passing it along in case you have interest in this topic, as well. From the website of the 7th Annual Questioning Forensics Conference, “Foundations of DNA Defense: Unpacking the 2021 NIST Report, will center on the report which rocked the forensic DNA world: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) draft Mixture Foundation Review and how we can use it to fight for our clients.” It’s free… https://forensicresources.org/resources/7th-annual-questioning-forensics-conference/
Are you ready for Reno? The symposium planning is moving along smoothly and I am really getting excited. The official off-site event will be a lot of fun with the opportunity to socialize, check out an amazing car collection, enjoy food and drinks, and try your hand at casino games. Have you ever wondered how the different games are actually played? Or never wanted to give a game a try for fear of losing your hard earned cash? I know that I have walked past many blackjack tables intimidated. Now is your chance to play the games without the threat of losing real money. The James Bond Casino Night is sponsored by JusticeTrax, our long-standing supporters who have been providing funding the symposium’s off-site events for twenty-five years, and a newcomer for the off-site event sponsorship, ANAB. We invite you to don your James Bond inspired cocktail attire and join us for a casino night at the National Automobile Museum. We will have dinner and drinks, gaming, prizes, and more. You don’t have to dress up but we will have a photographer and maybe a photo booth to capture the glam of the evening. If you aren’t into the gaming scene, come anyway for dinner, drinks, and enjoy a relaxing time with your friends. The car museum is stunning (even for this non-car enthusiast). Wander through the museum at your convenience. Staff will be on hand if you have questions about the cars in the collection. https://automuseum.org/ I am looking forward to hanging out with everyone!
Calling all golfers! I know you are out there. The ASCLD Symposium will be hosting a golf outing at the Wolf Run Golf Club. Tee times start at 7:30 on Monday morning. Registration includes golf cart, range balls, breakfast, lunch, drink tickets, and fellowship with forensic friends. Golf clubs are available for rental. The course looks beautiful. http://www.wolfrungolfclub.com/
Back to watching the snow melt… Have a great week.
Laura
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ASCLD monthly board meeting
The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on February 18th at 1pm EST
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Weekly News and Resources
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Did you know Early Bird Registration for ASCLD 2022
closes on January 28 th ?!?! Did you also know you can register now and
lock in that discounted price and pay later? Make sure you lock in that
registration soon so you can join your forensic colleagues April 24-28, 2022
in Reno, NV where we will be Facing the Challenge: Mission Possible!
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Join us for the ASCLD Symposium 2022
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Are you Ready to Have a Great Round at the ASCLD Symposium?
Looking for some relaxation and outdoor fun before the ASCLD Symposium kicks off? Sign up for this year's golf outing! Taking place at Wolf Run Golf Course, this event will include breakfast, lunch, beverages, and more for only $100. Don't miss out on some early season networking golf.
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Thank you to our 2022 Gold Sponsors:
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The Forensic Research Committee of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors have extended the submission deadline to 25 February for the:
- Innovation Award
- Outstanding Evaluation/Validation Award
- LEAP Collaboration Award
This is your opportunity to highlight the great work your lab has completed. The winners will be recognized at the 2022 ASCLD Annual Symposium. They will receive a plaque and a unique electronic award icon for use on letterhead, reports, e-mail signatures, etc.
Application Process:
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Complete the application, found at https://www.ascld.org/forensic-research-committee/
- Include a 1 – 2 page description of the evaluation/validation study, specifically addressing the criteria
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Submit the completed application electronically to ascldfrc@gmail.com
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Calling all current and former ASCLD Leadership Academy participants!!!
Back by popular demand is the Leadership Academy reception, taking place on Monday, April 25th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM before the Symposium Opening Reception. RSVP while registering for the Symposium.
Thank you to our event sponsor Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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Please send all CLM submissions to our new electronic form!
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Please continue to tag your photos on social media with the hashtag #ASCLDfun
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Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
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Noblis and Bode Technology are currently seeking forensic laboratories to participate in the DNAmix 2021 study. Please register now: registration closes January 31, 2022!
DNAmix 2021 is a large-scale independent study being conducted to evaluate the extent of consistency and variation among forensic laboratories in interpretations and statistical analyses of DNA mixtures, and to assess the effects of various potential sources of variability. The study will be comprised of four phases. Laboratories are encouraged to participate in the early phases even if they cannot commit to the later phases.
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Opt Out.
ASCLD sells your email information to vendors for marketing and promotional material purposes. You may ‘opt-out’ of receiving vendor information not directly related to ASCLD by emailing executivedirector@ascld.org. If you do not opt out then your acceptance of this Agreement will constitute your affirmative consent to receiving marketing and promotional material from ASCLD.
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Hear from your colleagues at the International Day of Women and Girls in Science Panel discussion on February 11, 2022 from 3-4 pm EST. This event is a part of the GFJC Forensic Science Seminar Series. Featured speakers include:
- Dr. Lauren Wilson, National Security Science and Technology Advisor for Australia
- Dr. Yahia Hakima, Head of the National Laboratory of Scientific and Technical Police in Morocco
- Major Anna Cavanagh, Director of Forensic Sciences, Richland County Sheriff's Department in South Carolina
Featuring opening remarks from Dr. Mireya Mayor, who you might recognize from the National Geographic Channel and the Travel Channel www.mireyamayor.com
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As was announced during the SWGDAM update at the CODIS conference (November 15, 2021) the Y chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD) is implementing changes to its search capabilities. This notice serves to provide laboratories the most up-to-date information about the approaching YHRD changes and how laboratories can prepare. Beginning February 7, 2022, YHRD will separate the dataset (Minimal, Y12, Y17, Y23, Y27, and YMax) and kit (Minimal, PowerPlex Y, Yfiler, PowerPlex Y23, Yfiler Plus, etc.). Read more HERE.
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There are many standards open for comment on the ASB website. Be sure to check them out and provide your valuable input!
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Safety Topics for your Lab
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Health and Safety in the Laboratory series by Jane Northup PhD, RI State Crime Laboratory
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ANAB Trainings
With the ability to reach wider audiences, we are expanding offerings of current courses in Spanish.
The following courses will be available live online in Spanish:
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Forensic Technical Assessor
- Forensic ISO/IEC 17025 Internal Auditor
- Risk-based Thinking for Forensic Service Providers
We are also excited to introduce our courses: Laboratories and Inspection:
Basic Statistics for Laboratories and Inspection Bodies. This course will introduce basic statistical techniques for collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data. Participants will strengthen their knowledge base of statistical techniques and their application to ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17025, and build confidence in the validity and reliability of their results. More..
Verification and Validation for Laboratories and Inspection Bodies. This course provides an introduction to the validation and verification of analytical methods and the common elements of a validation or verification plan. In addition, a general approach to performing a validation or verification will be reviewed along with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for validation and verification of methods. More…
Webinars:
We continue our monthly Webinars and stay tuned for information about upcoming Feature Sessions.
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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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