My cardiologist told me that I have to do something to relieve my stress levels. Heeding the words of my doctor, I do try to reduce stress. Remember, I am a Quality Assurance Manager and the current President of ASCLD, so this is not necessarily an easy task.
Those of you who are familiar with Arizona know that this is the best part of the year to do outside activities. Looking through the hiking books, my husband and I set out on a hike at the Go John Trail in Carefree, Arizona. The trail was rated a moderate hike and just under 6 miles. We had a picnic lunch packed in our backpack, sunscreen, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Yes, even in the winter months in Arizona, it is highly advised to carry plenty of water.
My husband takes the lead. That is where I might have gone wrong if my goal was to have a relaxing, stress free hike. Letting a retired Ranger set the pace on a hike, might not have been my best decision. The scenery was beautiful. We had our picnic and completed the hike in approximately 2 hours. Tired and sore, we thought we rocked. That is until two couples, average age, 77, finished the hike singing “We are the Champions”. Talk about being humbled!
You may ask why I am even bringing this information up? As leaders, we all have high stress jobs and taking care of ourselves needs to be a top priority. We have the responsibility for the wellbeing of our staff. Education regarding relaxing and how not to take the job home with you, needs to be provided. When I talk to colleagues, it seems as if there are many services provided to our sworn officers, but not as many for the professional staff (non-sworn).
ASCLD has been committed to providing information on this topic and we continue to do so again this year at the symposium. On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, there will be speakers discussing topics such as “Tackling Employee Wellness” and a presentation on the “NIJ/ASCLD
Assessment of Stress, Vicarious Trauma, and Resiliency for Forensic Science Professionals”. Take a look at the symposium agenda for more information.
“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.”
Have a great, stress free week - Brooke
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January 30 – February 1, 2020
– Board of Directors Meeting - Raleigh/Durham, NC
February 21, 2020
- Board of Directors Meeting - Telephonic
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
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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.
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Weekly News and Resources
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Community Research, Newsletters, and Surveys
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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...
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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.
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Georgia Bureau of Investigation-Division of Forensic Sciences Celebrates Third Anniversary as the First Crime Lab to Implement OSAC Registry Standards
In January of 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation-Division of Forensic Sciences (GBI-DOFS) made the decision to adopt all standards placed on the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Registry. This decision was made in support of the efforts of OSAC to identify needs for research and development within the community and to further the standardization of forensic science laboratories by providing standards that have not only been through the rigors of being published by a standards development organization, but have also been determined to be beneficial by our own peers within the community and the Forensic Science Standards Board and in support of the GBI laboratory’s mission statement to, “provide the highest quality forensic services for our customers, achieved through accurate and thorough analyses utilizing state of the art technology. This mission will be accomplished by innovative, highly skilled, unbiased professionals with vision and integrity.”
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Click
HERE to review standards available for comment.
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January 2020 OSAC Standards Bulletin now available, click
HERE
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Who
: Bureau of Justice Assistance
What:
Upcoming Solicitations from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Webinar
When
: Thursday, January 30
th
, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Why
: BJA is using this platform as a way to highlight their upcoming solicitations. Some of the specific solicitation topics include:
Forensic Science
The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
The Strategies for Policing Innovation Program
The Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative
Investigations
Public Safety Partnership
The Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative
Multidisciplinary Task Forces to Combat Human Trafficking
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Questions about attending, sponsoring or presenting at the symposium? Email
forensic@fiu.edu
.
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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
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Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
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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.
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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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