Dear ASCLD Colleagues,
This weekend was the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; on the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C.; and on the plane that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people — more than 400 were police officers, firefighters and first responders. Most of us can remember exactly where we were when that first plane hit the twin towers. I hope we will never forget the courageous behavior of the first responders — the ones who went into the towers to try to help when everyone else was running out. And the desperate bravery of the passengers who rushed the cockpit and brought the plane down in Pennsylvania to prevent greater loss of life in D.C. Or the paramedics and military personnel who attended to the wounded at the Pentagon. As the details of the disaster dim in our memories, let us never forget the sacrifice of all those brave souls who responded so selflessly in the chaos and destruction. Though September 11, 2001, becomes a more and more distant memory, history is still being made each day — by all of us. By the way we live our lives. By the way we conduct ourselves in difficult times. By how willing we are to put the needs of others before our own. By how well we love each other. 9/11 is forever engraved in our history. But how we respond to its impact is still being written, even 20 years later. Now it is our history to make.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) with the support of the International Symposium for Human Identification produced an excellent documentary that I highly encourage you to watch. “Stay Strong: NYC OCME Reflects on 9/11” available here, https://promega.preview.foleon.com/theishireport/staying-strong/the-office-of-chief-medical-examiner-ocme-reflects-on-20-years/, demonstrates the untiring commitment of forensic scientists to our work. They have worked tirelessly from behind the scenes, away from the spotlight, testing and retesting 22,000 body parts recovered from the wreckage. They continue this work with the intent of providing resolution for the 1,106 victims who have yet to be identified. I thank them for their dedication and keep them in my prayers as they continue their endeavor.
As we work our day-to-day “jobs” analyzing cases, remember that our work has significant impact on victims, their families, those accused, and as such, we must commit to providing objective science to bring resolution. We matter even if we operate behind the scenes. Please recognize the work of your laboratories during the week of September 19th when the spotlight is focused on us during National Forensic Science Week. They have earned it.
Laura
Laura Sundkamp
ASCLD President
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ASCLD monthly board meeting
Tuesday September 17th at 1:00pm EST
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Weekly News and Resources
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National Forensic Science Week is
September 19-25!
Can you believe it is that time of year all ready? Here are some ideas to help you celebrate National Forensic Science Week!
- Get a proclamation from your Governor or Mayor
- Issue a message to your staff with stories about why they chose to work in forensic science
- Allow staff to share their “Journey Stories” with each other (this can be done in person or by short video clips!)
- Highlight your laboratory on your lab or agency's social media
- Hold inter-sectional demonstrations throughout the week
- Get creative! Allow time for staff to participate in raffles or games (Guess that Future Scientist baby pictures, BINGO!, wordsearches, etc.).
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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 next episode will be held on Thursday September 16th at 1:00 EST and will focus on Algorithms and AI in Forensics.
It will feature talks by Dr. Rolf Ypma from the Netherlands Forensics Institute on using AI in forensics, Dr. Karen McGregor Richmond from Kobenhavns University on algorithmic opacity from a legal perspective, and Henry Swofford from the HJS Consulting on a practical approach for implementation of algorithms. The live event is limited to 100 people.
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ASCLD Recognizes Laboratories for Superior Operations: Announcing the 2021 Foresight Maximus Awards!
The 2021 Foresight Maximus award was presented to fifteen participant laboratories operating at 90% or better of peak efficiency.
Read full information here.
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The Forensic Research Committee releases Bulletin 7 (link here) with information on new innovation awards, Lightning Talks, and the Researchers Seeking Practitioners Study Form and database. Check out https://www.ascld.org/forensic-research-committee/ for exciting developments from the FRC!
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Please continue to tag your lab photos on social media with the hashtag #ASCLDfun
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Please send all CLM submissions to our new electronic form!
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Crime Lab Minute Sponsors
For More Information, Click the LOGO below:
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VERSATERM PUBLIC SAFETY ACQUIRES JUSTICETRAX –
GLOBAL LEADER IN FORENSIC INFORMATION SOFTWARE AND SERVICES
Transaction Continues Versaterm’s Commitment to Provide Public Safety Customers Industry-Leading Solutions to Meet Increasing Operational Demands
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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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New Reads (and Podcasts) for You
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The following is a list of suggested books, podcasts, and other media that have inspired ASCLD members in their leadership Journey:
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Good to Great by Jim Collins
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The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
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First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham
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The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Survey: Feedback on Educational Programs for Forensic Scientists
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health and School of Pharmacy request your participation in a research project seeking to understand if existing forensic science educational programs fulfill the needs of the forensic science community. See details in the Letter of Request here
Results from this work will be made available through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Please complete this short survey within the next two weeks.
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DNA Mixture Interpretations: A Q&A With NIST’s John Butler
ASCLD Comments to Draft of DNA Mixture Interpretation: A NIST Scientific Foundation Review (NISTIR 8351-DRAFT)
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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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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:oratories 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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