Dear ASCLD Colleagues,
ASCLD is fortunate to have a partnership with International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP). Rather than list all of the accomplishments we have had with ICITP, I thought I would share the words of Mark Mogle, the Assistant Director of Forensics at ICITAP. Mark shared the following letter with ASCLD:
All,
As we end 2020, I just wanted to express my appreciation to the ASCLD team for your continued support of our foreign partners. While it has been a difficult year, our partners have continued to make progress in advancing forensic science as a means to improve their justice systems and, in the end, help improve the security for all our nations. The ASCLD organization and its individual members provide invaluable support to these efforts.
When we started our accreditation program in the Mexican states about five years ago, many people looked forward to the day when laboratory accreditation would be the expectation in Mexico rather than the exception. ASCLD members’ willingness to support the first and subsequent Mexican forensic symposiums as well as provide multiple iterations of the ASCLD Leadership Academy helped provide the foundation for this vision. As 2020 ends, I am pleased to share that 15 of 32 Mexican states now have at least one accredited section and we are approaching the point where accreditation is, in fact, becoming the norm. Nine states are fully accredited in the six disciplines supported by our original work plan. In our more recent focus area, Aguascalientes became the first Mexican state, and the first in Latin America, to achieve ISO accreditation for medicolegal death investigations. I truly believe ASCLD has helped facilitate these advancements by modeling effective leadership for our partners.
Inspired by a request from Costa Rica, the “Future Trends in Forensic Science” webinar organized by the ASCLD International Committee was very well received by our foreign peers. While not everyone could watch live due to the time difference, ICITAP had registrants from every continent outside of Antarctica. I want you to know that our counterparts take the knowledge gleaned from events like this and amplify it. Our friends in Panama truly set the standard for demonstrating the impact of virtual events. At their October symposium hosted on ICITAP’s WebEx platform, Panama had 9000 registrants with 3200 participants from 21 countries at the live sessions. This event demonstrated to us the thirst for knowledge in the Latin American forensic community.
Also this year, Costa Rica published a paper on the application of lean six sigma in Forensic Science International: Synergy. Costa Rica originally learned about lean six sigma at the ASCLD Symposium which caught their interest because as they pursued accreditation, their backlog of cases slowly increased. With ICITAP supported training, Costa Rica applied lean six sigma as a way to improve timeliness while maintaining quality. After running several projects, Costa Rica reduced their backlog of cases in the laboratory more than 90 days by 95%. ICITAP and Costa Rica have already committed to share their experience with the Latin American community through a Spanish-language webinar.
We will also continue to build on additional support provided in 2020 by the ASCLD International Committee by helping Montenegro move forward on the implementation of a LIMS system. Tony tapped ASCLD’s membership for people with recent experience on LIMS procurements or installations. We had several members that stepped forward and ultimately had one member provide valuable feedback on the technical requirements for Montenegro’s LIMS system which we will use moving forward.
In 2021, ICITAP will continue our other important efforts around the globe. As an example, we will continue our work to build forensic capabilities in the Somalia National Police to investigate terrorist acts against their people, including the all too frequent bombings. ICITAP will also be supporting the peace process in Colombia by assisting the Attorney General’s Office identify and return the remains of the missing after decades of conflict through the implementation of NGS DNA technology, continued development of forensic anthropology units and the establishment of a cold case teams. While perhaps not as high profile, our other programs are equally important for advancing justice around the world. ICITAP’s partnership with ASCLD will no doubt be a key contributor to a successful 2021.
Thank you again for all your support and Happy New Year!
Mark Mogle
Assistant Director for Forensics
We look forward to continuing the partnership with ICITAP and value to the opportunities provided to our membership. For more information on ICITAP visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal-icitap
Have a terrific week!
Be well,
Erin
Erin P. Forry
ASCLD President
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ASCLD monthly board meeting, 3rd Friday of every month
Next meeting: January 15th, 2021 at 1:00pm EST
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Weekly News and Resources |
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Abstract submissions deadline for the 2021 ASCLD Symposium is January 31, 2021.
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The ASCLD Forensic Research Committee
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The ASCLD Forensic Research Committee is proud to announce the next
episode of a virtual “Lightning Talks” series to highlight new and emerging
research in all areas of forensic science. Each episode will feature three short
talks given by practitioners, researchers, and/or students. The fourth episode
will be held on Thursday February 4th at 1:00 EST and will focus on The Future
of Genetic Genealogy. It will feature talks by Daniel Kling and Andreas Tillmar
from National Board of Forensic Medicine, Sweden, on diving inside the black
box and approaches to generate high density SNP data. It will also feature a
talk by CeCe Moore, of Parabon, on the power of investigative genetic
genealogy.
The live event is limited to 100 people. See the flyer HERE
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As mentioned in one of President Forry’s previous messages, ASCLD has a few award opportunities with deadlines right around the corner. If you have any questions, please contact office@ascld.org and your questions will be forwarded to Nominations & Awards committee chair, Director Scott O’Neill.
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The Forensic Research Committee of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors announces
The LEAP Collaboration Award. (flyer)
The Outstanding Evaluation/Validation Award. (flyer)
The Second Annual Innovation Award. (flyer)
Application Process:
1. Complete the application, found at https://www.ascld.org/nominations/
2. Include a 1 – 2 page description of the evaluation/validation study, specifically addressing the criteria
Application Window: December 14th, 2020 - January 18th, 2021
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Happy New Year ASCLD! The Membership Committee is excited at the prospect of 2021 and is launching a membership drive. The Membership Committee will be reaching out to each current member via email, asking them to promote ASCLD membership to eligible candidates within their organizations. In an effort to capitalize on the power of social media, the committee is asking current members to post on Facebook or tweet on Twitter, during the ramp up to the New Year! If you wouldn’t mind sharing the benefits of ASCLD membership (e.g. networking, information exchange, access to resources, news and updates). Please use #ASCLDMembership and tag partner forensic science organizations so that we may significantly expand the membership drive reach. |
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ASCLD members: We need you!
To make a video in the comfort of your own space (whether that be home/office/outside…be creative) telling us why you like being a member of ASCLD!
Being a part of ASCLD helps our leadership across the world build connections with its memberships and allows members to gain more knowledge in this field by learning from others.
So what are we looking for? A video of you can include:
- Introduce yourself (your name, title, organization, years in the field)
- What got you in the field?
- What made you decide to join ASCLD?
- What benefits have you gained as a member of ASCLD?
- Is there anything you would want a prospective ASCLD member to know?
The video should be around 3 min to 3.5 min in length.
We are asking for videos so we can stay connected with our community during these unprecedented times. Additionally, it was pointed out to us that often times it can be intimidating to take that “leap” into engaging in such a large organization with such great leadership in our field. Let’s show those leaders out there in crime laboratories that we are a welcoming group seeking a diverse membership. Please consider helping us!”
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Stop by and visit the ASCLD Forensic Research Committee Validation and Evaluation Repository! Our goal is share information about important Validations and Evaluations with the forensic science community by compiling a list of unique validations and evaluations conducted by forensic labs and universities. The repository will catalog these efforts and provide the contact information of the people responsible for the work. Join ASCLD in this effort to foster information sharing, promote communication, and read about the accomplishments of others worldwide!
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Also, please continue to submit your photos to social media with the hashtag #ASCLDfun
Here are some photos of forensic science in action!
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Is your laboratory doing something exciting like building a new lab, incorporating new standards or tackling and overcoming operational challenges during COVID? Are you interested in submitting an article for publication in the CLM? Please submit articles electronically to https://www.ascld.org/clm-submission/
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Did you know ASCLD has a preferred journal via FSI Synergy? ASCLD has signed Journal Affiliation Agreements with Elsevier B.V. Publishing. This agreement gives ASCLD members some advantages for submitting articles. Elsevier B.V. has agreed to an open access fee of $550 (plus applicable taxes) for ASCLD members to publish, with preferential treatment to ASCLD members in terms of waivers. In return, ASCLD allows Elsevier B.V. Publishing to use the ASCLD logo and trademarks and a membership roster once a year. |
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The US TAG to ISO TC 272 Forensic Science will meet virtually January 5, 7, 12, and 14 from 4-6 PM EST. For more information please contact office@ascld.org
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NIJ recently released a new FY2021 solicitation on “Research and Evaluation on Crime Laboratory Systems and Processes”. With this solicitation NIJ seeks proposals for research and evaluation projects aimed at understanding and strengthening the accuracy and reliability of a crime laboratory’s systems and processes.
Closing date is March 22, 2021
Please note:
In FY 2021, applications will be submitted in a new two-step process, each with its own deadline:
1. Submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov.
Step 1, Grants.gov, Deadline: March 8, 2021, by 11:59 PM ET
2. Submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants.
Step 2, Application JustGrants, Deadline: March 22, 2021, by 11:59 PM ET
For more information, click HERE.
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The Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations
Formed in 2000, CFSO is an association of six forensic science professional organizations: American Academy of Forensic Sciences; American Society of Crime Lab Directors; International Association for Identification; American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law; National Association of Medical Examiners; and Society of Forensic Toxicologists - American Board of Forensic Toxicology.
These professional organizations together represent more than 21,000 forensic science professionals across the United States.
The mission of the CFSO is to speak with a single forensic science voice in matters of mutual interest to its member organizations, to influence public policy at the national level and to make a compelling case for greater federal funding for public crime laboratories and medical examiner offices. The primary focus of the CFSO is local, state and national policymakers, as well as the United States Congress.
See the November 2020 Newsletter HERE.
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Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys |
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Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group (FLN-TWG) |
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The FLN-TWG is made up of laboratory directors and research scientists, many of whom are members of ASCLD, who are tasked with providing knowledge and expertise to ensure that NIJ research and implementation of forensic technology is relevant and responsive to laboratory operations needs of the forensic science community.
The FLN-TWG plans to meet again virtually early in 2021.
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73rd AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting Goes Virtual!
The 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) will be held virtually from February 15-19, 2021. Abstracts were due by October 8, 2020. Notification of Acceptance will be mailed to all presenting authors by November 27, 2020. Meeting registration materials will be subsequently sent to presenting authors.
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Contribute To the ASB
Your contribution will help ensure the ASB's success in establishing standards and best practices for the forensic science community. Your contribution may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense for federal income tax purposes. Make a donation.
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ASB updates from ANSI Standards Action
To view a summary of items of interest to ASB members in ANSI Standards Action, visit the ANSI Standards Action Weekly Report folder on the ASB Workspace page. Please contact asb@aafs.org if you have difficulties logging on to the Workspace site.
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Will your laboratory be among the 2021 FORESIGHT Maximus award winners?
Some have already submitted their data, but there is still time for others to submit. We thank those who have already submitted and encourage all to participate.
Note that we are hosting two workshops at the 2021 ASCLD Symposium. One workshop is designed for new participants to assist in data reporting. The second workshop is designed for laboratory leadership to get the most out of their annual reports. Please join us at the ASCLD Symposium.
Attached you will find the data collection form for participation in Project FORESIGHT. As a response to several laboratories regarding the minimum data necessary to participate, we created a data collection tool LabRAT Levels.
You Tube videos demonstrating the use of the LabRAT tool are available on the project website.
All of your Level I Casework and Expenditures data are immediately transferred to the Level II worksheets. Any additional detail on casework (e.g., TAT, backlogs, items, samples, tests, and reports) or expenditures will enhance the precision of your report. Partial reporting under the Level II worksheets is fine. Do not worry about having all possible blocks filled.
Please try to submit your data by January 15, 2021 to: foresightsubmissions@gmail.com or paul.speaker@mail.wvu.edu. If you are unable to meet that target date, please submit when you are able. All submissions that are receive at least one month prior to the 2021 ASCLD Symposium will be evaluated for Maximus award consideration.
Finally, if you haven’t tested it yet, check out the beta version of the workforce calculator hosted by RTI International and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (https://forensiccoe.org/workforce-calculator-project/). The updated workforce calculator will be posted in the near future. We’ll send an updated notice when it is ready for trial.
Paul J Speaker
Professor
Department of Finance – 220 B&E
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506-6025
(304) 293-7810 (office)
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The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science monthly Standards Bulletin is now available. Read about the latest DNA standard to be added to the OSAC Registry and the nine other standards currently open for Registry comment. Also learn about the recently published toxicology and footwear and tire standards, the eight standards open for comment at standards developing organizations, and the new documents being initiated.
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August 22-26, 2021 | Together Toward Tomorrow | Boston, MA
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Are you interested in presenting at ASCLD 2021? Click HERE to submit an abstract.
Continue to watch the 2021 ASCLD Symposium website here. for important updates. If you have any questions, please contact our Symposium Chair, Laura Sudkamp, laura.sudkamp@ky.gov.
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ASCLD Emerging Issues: Employee Webinar Series (Archived)
Providing training and education to our membership is a core mission for ASCLD. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of our annual symposium this year, the Symposium Planning and Training and Education Committees found a way to bring timely and relevant content that would have been experienced in Denver, to the ASCLD membership.
Through a generous partnership with the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence at RTI International, ASCLD presented a three-part webinar series entitled ASCLD Emerging Issues: Employee Wellness. Providing training and education in employee wellness is part of the current ASCLD Strategic Plan. In an already stressful profession, as we adapt and lead through the COVID-19 pandemic, this topic is particularly timely.
In June 2020, ASCLD Emerging Issues: Employee Wellness presented the webinars bleow. To view these and other archived training opportunities please visit: https://forensiccoe.org/allresources/
Speakers: Andrew Levin, Jonathan McGrath, Heidi Putney, & Danielle Crimmins
Speaker: Jody Wolf
Speaker: Robert Kirkby
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ANAB - Upcoming training events
New! ANAB is offering live instructor lead online courses to meet the need for continued learning in light of widespread travel restrictions and the need for social distancing. Each class is offered via WebEx and includes the opportunity for participants to submit questions, as well as interact with the instructor and other participants.
Self-paced Training (Web-based)
Self-paced Training (Web-based)
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The Coronavirus and Stress: How they affect your Lab
Jane Northup Ph.D.
RI State Crime Laboratory
HHS Secretary Azar recently announced that the US expects to have 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year. That equates to a vaccine for 20 million people. With COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across the United States rising due to cold weather moving in, people spending more time indoors, and COVID fatigue setting in, the news of a vaccine coming soon gives much hope. The CDC recommends that healthcare workers be given priority, including nursing homes and congregate care residents and staff. However, there are an estimated 21 million healthcare workers in the US, let alone the over 3 million individuals who work and live in nursing care facilities. These two groups will be given first preference to a vaccine leaving the rest of the country to wait for future vaccines. At best, the bulk of your agency's staff may not be eligible for a vaccine until late spring in 2021. We know that everyone should wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart, avoid crowds, and wash hands frequently. But, with at least another six months looming ahead, are we doing enough, and is it sustainable through 2021, if not longer?
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Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
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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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