Dear ASCLD Colleagues and Friends,
 
I know you are all itching to figure out where I am this week…I am delighted to say that I will be spending this beautiful Memorial Day weekend in Madison, WI. It is great to be home for a weekend and to have some time to spend with family and friends.

Of course, we don’t stop moving, so I am happy to be watching my son play baseball. Baseball season is great, I love being able to sit outside with my coffee enjoying the breeze and being grateful for all we accomplished last week not only at work but also with our ASCLD Board and partners.

I hope you all received the email we sent last week regarding the shortage of blood tubes. If you did not (or if it got buried- no worries, that happens to us all!), our good friends at the CFSO have become aware of a national forensic toxicology/alcohol blood tube shortage. We are interested in seeing where shortages exist of blood tubes used by law enforcement and death investigating offices in forensic investigations, which is why they are requesting a survey be filled out by labs (or forwarded to the appropriate labs in your state):

I am sure many of you recall the DNA Technical survey developed by the NIST/NIJ Expert Working Group on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation. They recently extended the survey to close on June 17, 2022 to obtain more responses. The survey was built to be completed by forensic DNA technical leaders, so let’s get this out there to these folks! 
 
This survey will provide insight into the landscape of DNA laboratory practices and the role of technology in forensic DNA interpretation. The results of the survey will inform standards and best practice recommendations for the discipline, aid in the identification of research needs, and assist NIST in its mission to support the forensic science community. 
If you are a forensic DNA technical leader (or equivalent), or you have one in your organization, we kindly request participation. The estimated time it will take to complete this survey is 45 minutes:

Last week our ASCLD Board of Directors was working hard at ironing out working for a new ASCLD Anti-Harassment Policy. It is always so rewarding to see a dedicated group coming together to really make our organization better. If you are still pondering on how you would like to contribute to ASCLD, please reach out to us! The relationships we build in this organization are so very valuable. Just last week, my colleague and I reached out to some wonderful folks in another state laboratory system seeking their advice on some software. I could have talked to them all day and they were just so helpful. Of course, what we all had in common was we that we had met through contacts as ASCLD members.
  
As I mentioned, it is Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you all take a moment to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country we love. Our ASCLD organization is lucky to have John Byrd, who is not only a retired General, but also our Executive Director, mentor and friend. John writes a wonderful message to the Board a few days prior to every Memorial Day weekend. I felt it would be a shame to not share his message with all of you, so please see below my message for John’s. I hope everyone has an amazing week and hopefully you get some things taken care of on your list. Until next time, ASCLD friends!
 
 
Respectfully,
 
 
Jen
 
Jennifer D. Naugle
ASCLD President


Executive Director John Byrd, BG (Retired) Memorial Day Message
 
As a retired General, I see one of my responsibilities as continuing to educate others about important dates and customs marked by our US Armed Forces. Memorial Day is one of those dates. Observed on the last Monday of May, it is a day of mourning and of remembrance of those US military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. Not necessarily just combat deaths but anyone who dies while they are on duty. For military personnel who have served for twenty years or more, it’s not hard to find someone who has been personally affected by the loss of service member.
My own sister-in-law lost her first husband in South Korea when his helicopter went down during a training flight. David was a high school classmate of mine, husband and father of two daughters. Though gone, he is not forgotten. His legacy lives on in his children.
During my deployment in 2003, a young specialist from South Dakota was driving in a vehicle convoy when they were victims of one of the first IED attacks of the fledgling Iraqi insurgency. His loss was the first for me and as the base camp commander, it was my responsibility to conduct the memorial service for his unit and unit leaders. It was one of the most difficult tasks of my military career. I think about it every year on Memorial Day.
All this to say, remember Memorial Day for what it is. Enjoy the warm weather, cook outs and precious time with family. Also, take a moment and pause in remembrance for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, whether in peace time or war. If you have a flag, drop it to half-mast at sunrise on Monday. 
 
John
 
 
John A. Byrd, BG (Retired)
Executive Director
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors