AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS, … · AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS, INC. 139 A Technology Drive Garner, NC 27529 Phone: 919.773.2044 | Fax:

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS, INC.

139 A Technology Drive Garner, NC 27529

Phone: 919.773.2044 | Fax: 919.861.9930 | Website: www.ascld.org

January 9, 2017 Dear ASCLD Member, The ASCLD Board of Directors invites you to review the 2016 ASCLD Board of Directors & Committees Mid-Year Report. The Board of Directors and Committee Chairs have summarized their respective activities on behalf of ASCLD since the 2016 symposium held in April earlier this year up to the in-person Board of Directors meeting in mid-November 2016. The purpose of this report is to keep the ASCLD membership informed of the Board’s activities and progress towards achieving the strategic goals and objectives in support of our mission, “To promote the effectiveness of crime laboratory leaders throughout the world by facilitating communication among members, sharing critical information, providing relevant training, promoting crime laboratory accreditation, and encouraging scientific and managerial excellence in the global forensic community.” Thank you for your continued support of ASCLD. If you would like to volunteer on any of the ASCLD committees, please contact our Executive Director at [email protected] With Kindest Regards,

Jeremy Triplett, President ASCLD Board of Directors

ASCLD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeremy Triplett, President Kentucky State Police Ray Wickenheiser, President Elect New York State Police Crime Laboratory System Jody Wolf, Past President Phoenix Police Department Cecilia Doyle, Secretary Illinois State Police Andrea Swiech, Treasurer Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Brooke Arnone Arizona Department of Public Safety Adam Becnel Louisiana State Police Kris Deters Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Service Matthew Gamette Idaho State Police Deborah Leben United States Secret Service Timothy Scanlan Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Christian Westring NMS Labs ASCLD STAFF

Jean Stover, Executive Director Ramona Robertson, Administrative Assistant

http://www.ascld.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Phone: 919.773.2044 | Fax: 919.861.9930 | Website: www.ascld.org Page 2 of 16

2016 ASCLD Board of Directors & Committees MID-YEAR REPORT

President’s Report – Jeremy Triplett

Created 2016-17 Action Plan with Milestones to track Board progress during the year

Created two new ad-hoc committees for special projects

o Historical Committee – Chair: Kevin Lothridge

Goals:

Find, catalog, and digitize ASCLD organization historical documents

Create historical display for 2017 symposium o Member Resources Committee – Co-chairs: George Herrin & Stephanie Stoiloff

Goals:

Develop ASCLD Model Policies on topics of interest for membership

Catalog member-submitted documents for sharing in members-only area of the website

Coordinated with Executive Director Stover on selection of 2020 ASCLD Symposium site (Denver, Colorado)

Visited 2017 ASCLD Symposium site for symposium pre-planning visit

Assisted NIJ with finding diverse panel of crime laboratory directors for invitation to Crime Lab Directors Meeting on grant programs

Assisted NIJ with crime laboratory director invitations for National Sexual Assault Policy Symposium in Washington, DC.

Partnered with IACP, MCC, and ASCIA forensic committees to promote activities of 2016 National Forensic Science Week via the official ASCLD Twitter account

Assisted in finding participant laboratories for FBI/Noblis black box eye-tracking study for fingerprint examiners

Attended ANZFSS 23rd International Symposium – Auckland, NZ o Presented 20 minute talk to Criminalistics section on ASCLD organization and current

initiatives

Attended International Forensic Manager’s Symposium – Interpol o Presented poster on ASCLD organization and current initiatives o Attended annual IFSA meeting



Past President’s Report – Jody Wolf

Ad hoc Policy Statement Committee (PSC) o National Commission on Forensic Science Public Comments

National Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for the Forensic Sciences

Draft Work Product on Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in Forensic Science Initial Draft Recommendation on AFIS Interoperability Draft Work Product on Pretrial Discovery of Forensic Materials Initial Draft Views Document on “Testimony using the term “Reasonable

Scientific Certainty” Initial Draft Recommendation on Developing a National Forensic Science

Curriculum Initial Draft Views Document on Report Content V1 Ensuring that forensic analysis is based upon task-relevant information

o Additional Priorities:

Grant Reform December NCFS documents

DNA Mixture Webinar Series

Joint ASCLD/AFQAM Meeting

Arnold Foundation grants - FORESIGHT and Leadership Academy Executive Director Report – Jean Stover

Visited hotels in Denver, CO, and San Diego, CA, and selected and signed a contract with the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center for the 2020 annual symposium.

Closed out the 2016 symposium books.

Working with Kinsley and the Symposium Planning Committee on the planning of the 2017 symposium in Dallas, TX, including signing of contracts with vendors for the AV, Trade Show Services and Mobile App provider. I also worked with Kinsley on the symposium budget and sending out email blasts for abstract submission.

Attended a meeting at RTI to discuss the National Forensic Science Academy (NFSA) and begin planning the course outlines.



FORESIGHT 20/20 Update - TOMIKO was selected as the vendor to write the software which will transfer data from LIMS systems to FORESIGHT. Three vendors (JusticeTrax, STaCS, Porter Lee) are in process with TOMIKO for software development; Forensic Advantage requested to be pushed back in the queue and STAR LIMS is now participating with their own resources. The contractors hit a snag with JusticeTrax because they use a system that makes each lab unique for their services and evidence types. Each lab has its own structure, terminology, coding, and data handling within the JT system; JT has developed its product on the side of customizing, rather than standardization. This has caused the contractors to re-architect the solution and they are currently testing alternative solutions for this issue.

Worked with the Administrative Assistant to collect all outstanding 2015 membership dues payments. Any members who had not paid by the end of July were removed from membership.

Did a phone interview on Oct. 21 with Michael Tomsic, a reporter for the NPR radio station in Charlotte, NC. He was doing a report on how the local crime lab was doing and specifically looking at backlogs. He wanted to know if ASCLD had information on backlogs throughout the U.S. but I told him we did not. I told him that turnaround times for cases varied between agencies and disciplines as did backlogs. I said that all labs are trying to be more efficient while not sacrificing quality. He said the broadcast should be by the end of the month and he will send me a link so we can listen to it.

Coordinated the arrangements for the in-person board meeting held in Frankfort, KY, on Nov. 14 and 15.

Handle various calls and emails as they are received from members, students requesting forensic information, media requests, and other requests sent to the "Ask ASCLD" site.

Communications – Committee Chair Deborah Leben Committee: Denise Rankin and Jason Bond

New committee members were added to the Communication Committee. Denise Rankin is responsible for providing the current events and top stories for the Crime Lab Minute and for updating the ASCLD Facebook page. Jason Bond provides information related to PCAST events.

The committee conducted a survey with the ASCLD membership regarding the design and information published in the Crime Lab Minute. The survey results are as follows:

o The membership confirms that Monday morning is the preferred time and day to receive the newsletter.



o The two sections that are read the most are the crime lab current events and the legislative updates.

o The preferred method for updating the membership with current news is by email rather than Facebook, Twitter or the ASCLD webpage.

o The membership requested that multimedia be included in the Crime Lab Minute.

Social Media Policy o A draft social media policy was created as a standard operating procedure for those

managing social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter. The social media policy was modelled after the International Association for Chiefs of Police social media policy.

o The Communication Committee is also working with the IACP Social Media Committee regarding the management and design of social media avenues for ASCLD.

Ethics & Bylaws – Committee Chair Christian Westring Committee: Ryan Larrison, Sid Popejoy, Juila Dolan, Denise Rankin, Elizabeth Ziolkowski, Nancy Crump, Glen Spencer, Debbie Leben and Steve Garrett Since the 2016 Symposium in Bellevue, Washington, the Ethics and Bylaws Committee has been involved in a couple of key initiatives. The following presents a summary of these activities:

As a follow-up from the end of year report that was presented at the annual meeting in 2016, the Ethics and Bylaws Committee has begun to review our current documents. The objective of this review is to provide the Board with potential recommendations for improvement. The previous annual report highlights several key areas which may be redundant and in need of updating. These include membership criteria, examiner testimony, and member conduct. Lastly, the report indicates the process for handling complaints as complicated and potentially unrealistic in its investigation and enforcement of complaints. The Ethics and Bylaws Committee will strive to make recommendations for the Board to consider by the 2017 annual Symposium in Dallas, Texas.

The Ethics and Bylaws Committee has been evaluating an update to the ASCLD Ethical Code of Conduct. Following initial discussions with the Board, it was determined that an update to the code was likely needed. Since then, the Ethics and Bylaws Committee has been evaluating said update, including a review of existing documents which ASCLD may consider for guidance or future alignment. Specifically, existing documents like the ASCLD/LAB Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility for Crime Laboratories and Forensic Scientists are not only well recognized within the forensic community, but are also used by many forensic laboratories across the world. Furthermore, as previously reported in the



2016 Annual Report, the National Commission on Forensic Science approved a National Code of Professional Responsibility for Forensic Science and Forensic Medicine Service Providers on March 22, 2016. This document provides a list of 16 requirements which may also be used to strengthen the ASCLD Code of ethics. During the 2016 Annual Symposium, ANAB announced the acquisition of ASCLD/LAB. At that time, it was unclear how the ASCLD/LAB brand would evolve moving into the future. As such, the ASCLD Board of Directors is watching for new developments with ASCLD/LAB and ANAB brand(s), and any new or existing documents which may be updated/published as the quality community moves forward. The ASCLD Board of Directors is therefore consider such documents and hopes to determine how best to incorporate these into the ASCLD Code of Ethics moving forward. The Ethics and Bylaws Committee hopes to make a recommendation for consideration by 2017 annual Symposium in Dallas, Texas.

There were no Ethics complaints through the first 6 months since the 2016 ASCLD Annual Symposium. Such complaints have historically been infrequent, so this is not out of the norm.

Finance – Committee Chair Andrea Swiech Wells Fargo (Wacovia Interest) Checking Account: $307,277.48 Wells Fargo (Wacovia Money Market) Account: $176,895.44 Mountain America 2 Year Term – $20,194.45 3 Year Term – $20,370.89 4 Year Term – $20,445.80 5 Year Term – $20,780.28 5 Year Term – $20,478.57* *Initially invested as the 12-month CD. Was converted to 5-year CD in 2015.

The expenses for the 2016 ASCLD Symposium were paid in full in September 2016.

Planning for the 2017 ASCLD Symposium has begun, and some expenses have already been incurred and paid.



Forensic Research – Committee Chair Jeff Salyards/Henry Maynard Committee: Mike Garvey, Dennis Hilliard, Roger Kahn, Cecilia Krouse, Dan Katz, Garry Bombard, Jan Girten, Jeremy Triplett, Tate Yeatman, Vince Figarelli, Jeri Ropero-Miller, Ashraf Mozayani, Kim Kobojek, Jennifer Cones ASCLD is looking to revamp the Forensic Research Committee to partner with the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), within the Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC). The OCS is a diverse team of PhD researchers, program managers, case-working forensic examiners and research associates. Their team has expertise in DNA, Drug Chemistry, Next Generation Sequencing, Latent Prints, Explosives and Trace Evidence Analysis, and Statistics. Our research portfolio includes: rapid DNA testing, the inter-and intra- laboratory DNA mixture interpretation study, the firearms error rate study, Next-Generation Sequencing (just to name a handful). A partnership between OCS and ASCLD FRC would be mutually beneficial. OCS could identify and share information about emerging technologies that can enhance existing or develop new forensic capabilities. OCS could routinely brief ASCLD FRC on the ongoing research projects of the group and solicit input on the research needs and goals of the FRC. As OCS completes test and evaluation activities-the results and findings could be shared with the greater forensic science community through ASCLD. Tapping into the talent within OCS allows them to perform internal research projects that help identify the limits of analyses and help frame the conclusion statements for reports. As the OCS completes the important internal research that helps shape their policies and practices, they could share this information with the FRC so they can benefit from OCS's research efforts. ASCLD could help determine the research needs/gaps for the forensic science community and OCS can help answer those needs. The goal is to brief the FRC to further this discussion. The presentation would provide: 1. An introduction to the OCS team and our capabilities 2. A review of some of our past projects 3. An overview of some of our current research projects (mRNA for body fluid ID, Next Gen Sequencing, etc.) This presentation and subsequent discussion would highlight the fact that the research goals are similar and having access to a team of researchers like OCS would help address these goals.



Historical - Committee Chair Kevin Lothridge Committee: Barry Fisher, Bill Marbaker and Sid Popejoy

Wrote a message that was include in a June Crime Lab Minute regarding the purpose and plans for the Historical Committee. The committee plans to assemble a poster presentation of ASCLD history to be shown at the 2017 ASCLD meeting, and to preserve photos and documents for future use. The committee is requesting all past presidents review old records and look for ASCLD documents and photographs. These materials will support the project and be of interest to our current and future members. Documents should be scanned into PDF files and photos into PNG or JPG files at the highest possible resolution and email them to Kevin Lothridge. If scanning is impractical, the originals may be sent by mail and they will be returned after they are duplicated.

Pictures have been received from Barry Fisher. A request will be sent out again in the next two weeks.

Helped update the contact information list for ASCLD Past Presidents.

Work with Jean and Ramona to get historical ASCLD documents sent to the NFSTC so we can use them to help design a walk through the ASCLD History booth at the meeting in Dallas.

Working on documenting the location of all ASCLD meetings to post on the ASCLD website. International – Committee Chairs Jody Wolf & Brady Mills Committee: Kermit Channel, Soraya McClung, Jay Henry, Christian Westring, Kevin Lothridge, Erin Forry, Brady Mills, Anja Einselm, Ashraf Mozayani, Demetra Garvin, Mark Mogle, Ryan Larrison, Tim Scanlan, and Chris Taylor.

IFSA – The International Committee has been very engaged with our international partners in the International Forensic Strategic Alliance. President Wolf has served as the IFSA President since May 2015 and will continue this two-year term until the IAFS meeting to be held in 2017. President Wolf presided over the annual Board meeting in Lyon, France at the Interpol Forensic Managers Symposium from October 10-14, 2016. IFSA has several ongoing initiatives including the Minimum Requirements Documents (MRDs). These documents provide guidance on the necessary quality system and technical infrastructure to seek accreditation and the minimum necessary systems needed to issue a quality forensic analysis across different scientific disciplines. There are currently 2 series of



MRDs. Series 1 is comprised of Seized Drug Analysis, DNA, and Crime Scene Response. These were all authored in English and the goal is to now translate them into the five additional recognized languages of the United Nations. The translations were completed with the assistance of the Department of Defense except for Spanish. These translations must be verified for vernacular and accuracy. The current status of these verifications is provided below.

o Translation Verifications Pending 1. Russian (Complete) 2. Chinese (In Final Review) 3. French (In progress) 4. Arabic (Dubai Police Dept.) 5. Spanish (AICEF – waiting for input)

The second MRD Series is comprised of Questioned Documents, Digital and Multimedia evidence, and Latent Prints. These are currently in their initial draft stages pending review and input from the IFSA Board and appropriate technical working groups. These are slated for release at the 2017 IAFS meeting. ASCLD President Triplett and IFSA President Jody Wolf represented both ASCLD and IFSA at two international meetings including the ANZFSS 2016 Forensic Science Symposium and the 2016 Interpol Forensic Science Managers Symposium. They each provided a 20-minute presentation on our respective organizations along with an IFSA poster presentation at the ANZFSS meeting. And, they provided three poster presentations at Interpol. Additionally, the IFSA website is nearing completion and is currently an active web site.

Content development is pending. o Home Page – Complete: http://www.ifsa-forensics.org/ o About Us – Pending stats from IFSA members (organizations, countries,

members) o MRDs – Complete: http://www.ifsa-forensics.org/minimum-requirements-

documents/ o News & Updates – Pending o Contact Us - Pending

The ASCLD International Committee is also exploring several initiatives for action in 2017. They include the following:

Spring 2017 Forensic Management Symposium in Mexico

International ASCLD Leadership Academy


http://www.ifsa-forensics.org/

http://www.ifsa-forensics.org/minimum-requirements-documents/

http://www.ifsa-forensics.org/minimum-requirements-documents/


Visiting Scientist Programs

On-demand webinars US TAG to ISO TC272 – Kermit B. Channell, U.S. TAG Chair and Soraya McClung, U.S. TAG

Secretariat The U.S. Technical Advisory Board (U.S. TAG) provides the following report of all the activities conducted by the U.S TAG to ISO TC 272 Forensic Science. All activities associated with the U.S. TAG are in accordance with the following scope: “Standardization and guidance in the field of Forensic Science: This includes the development of standards that pertain to laboratory and field based forensic science techniques and methodology in broad general areas such as the detection and collection of physical evidence, the subsequent analysis and interpretation of evidence, and the reporting of results and findings.” ISO Documents Published by TC 272 Forensic Science

ISO 18385 2016: “Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect, store and analyze biological material for forensic purposes – Requirement”

ISO Documents under Development

ISO 21043-1: “Forensic science – Recognition, recording, collection, transport and storage of items for forensic analysis”

This is a 4 part Standard consisting of the following components: Part 1: Recognition, recording, collection and storage (Scene) Part 2: Analysis and examination material Part 3: Interpretation Part 4: Reporting

ISO 20962: Forensic Science - Vocabulary. This standard provides a vocabulary which standardized the use and meaning of terms associated with forensic science.

ISO 20964: “Specifications for consumables used in the collection, preservation and processing of material for forensic analysis for product, manufacturing Requirements and forensic kit assembly”



Meetings conducted by the U.S. TAG 2016 1. February 21 – 22nd: American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) – Las Vegas, Nevada. U.S.

TAG meeting conducted by Soraya McClung, U.S. TAG Secretariat to discuss current documents and submit comments/revisions to ISO TC 272 Secretariat. Soraya also presented to representatives from AAFS, ASCIA, ASCLD/LAB and IAI to get them to join our TAG.

2. April 25 – 29th: American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) – Belleview, Washington. U.S. TAG meeting to discuss current documents and submit revisions to the ISO TC Secretariat. Presentations also given by Kermit Channell, U.S. TAG Chair and Soraya McClung, U.S. TAG Secretary, during plenary session updating the membership of ASCLD.

3. May 8 – 9th: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) – Savannah, Georgia.

Presentation was given at the IACP regional meeting by U.S. TAG Chair, Kermit Channell, providing the organization an update of the current work being conducted by the U.S. TAG and information needed to join the TAG.

4. June 20 – 23rd: ISO Committee meeting hosted by the NEN (Standards Institute of the

Netherlands), Delft, Netherlands. U.S. TAG Secretariat, Soraya McClung attended as “Head of Delegation” to the U.S. TAG. Also in attendance was Adam Dale, Department of Defense and U.S. TAG member. Adam Dale was representing the U.S. TAG as “convener” of the Working Group for ISO 20964 “Specifications for consumables…)

5. August 3- 4th: International Association of Identification (IAI) – Cincinnati, Ohio.

Presentation was given at the IACP regional meeting by U.S. TAG Chair, Kermit Channell, providing the organization an update of the current work being conducted by the U.S. TAG and information needed to join the TAG.

6. September 12- 13th: U.S. TAG meeting hosted by the Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, Texas. U.S. TAG met to review draft documents and provided comments/revisions to the ISO TC Secretariat.

7. October 11 – 14th: Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers (AFQAM), Little

Rock, Arkansas. Presentation was given during the plenary session regarding the work of the U.S. TAG and providing their organization with information to join the U. S. TAG.

8. November 21 – 24th: ISO Committee meeting in Toronto, Canada. This meeting will be

attended by U.S. TAG Chair Kermit Channell and U.S. TAG member Pam Bordner.



All ISO member countries comments/revisions for all draft documents will be examined for consensus. Member Resources - Committee Co-Chairs George Herrin and Stephanie Stoiloff

Policies on staff/employee DNA databases were gathered from several laboratories

A model policy on staff/employee DNA databases incorporating concepts from the submitted policies was drafted and submitted to the ASCLD Board for review and comments. We are awaiting final feedback on the format/content of this first model policy before beginning work on additional model policies.

Membership – Committee Chair Brooke Arnone Committee: John Griffin, Ben Swanholm, Ron Arndt, Chad Wissinger and Kerri Heward

11 approved applications

Letters and Brochures have been sent out to or continue to be sent out to: o Every state (current members, ASCLD/LAB accredited labs, A2LA Accredited

Labs) o Accredited International Labs o SWGDE o CACLD

Next meeting scheduled for the week of Nov. 28

Future: o Once people register for the Leadership Academy, get the names and contact

them about becoming a member (if applicable) o CLM blurb again in December and January o Continue with email contacts and talking up ASCLD to potential members

Nominating & Awards – Committee Chair Timothy Scanlan Committee: Brian Hargett



2016 ASCLD Scholarships - The two selected scholarship candidates were voted on by the ASCLD Board and were approved by the President. The following individuals both received the $1,000 scholarship:

o Brittany Hudson (Virginia Commonwealth University) o Robert Stein (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Future Plans: o Develop timeline for 2017 Briggs-White Award Nomination o Begin planning to fill upcoming Board of Director openings

Determine best method for encouraging prospective candidates to run Discuss timeline for 2017 Board of Director Candidate Nomination Process

Sponsorship – Committee Chair Adam Becnel Committee: Brian Hargett, Deborah Leben, Kevin Ardoin, Chris Taylor, Lisa Burdett, Tara Volouch To date there are 23 vendors signed up for the symposium, representing over $92,000 in revenue. We are at 38% of the target sales for the 2017 symposium. A second marketing push was made the week of November 14th, 2016.

Booth Type # Available # Sold % Sold Potential

Bronze 36 5 14% $74,400

Silver 30 13 43% $51,000

Gold 7 5 72% $13,000

The vendors we have so far are: Abbott NMS Labs Arbinger Institute, The Porter Lee Corporation ASCLD Lab/ANAB Promega Corporation Bode Qualtrax Bruker Optics QIAGEN Craic Technologies RSA Crime Lab Design RTI International Flashback Data Sciex Foster & Freeman Sirchie IntegenX, Inc. STACS DNA



JusticeTrax, Inc. Thermo Fisher MWL Architects Symposium Planning – Committee Chair Ray Wickenheiser Committee: Aliece Watts, Scott Ford, Ashraf Mozayani, Nancy Crump, Debbie Leben, Brian Hargett, Tom Blackwell, Jeremy Triplett, Kerri Heward, Kristine Deters, Erin Forry, Matthew Gamette, Anja Einseln, Ben Swanholm, Brady Mills, Christian Westring, Jerry Walker, Jamie Vasquez and Nicole McCleary Subcommittees: Workshop/Abstract Review, Keynote Speaker, Local, Save the Date, CrowdCompass, Stakeholders Reception, Awards Luncheon, Hospitality Suite, Golf Tournament Biweekly conference calls are held with Kinsley (conference coordinators) and the planning executive committee. A full committee conference call was held on November 8, 2016. Calls for abstracts for plenary presentations, workshops and posters email blasts went out to all membership. This was also included in several issues of the Crime Lab Minute. Sixty-nine (69) abstracts were submitted for the 2017 Annual Meeting. This includes 49 plenary, 18 workshops and 2 posters, as well as keynote speakers. This submission level is well above 2016 and very close to the meeting in Washington, DC in 2015. Eleven members of the abstract review committee will review and evaluate abstract submissions. Keynote and key speakers engaged are as follows: Natasha S. Alexenko of Natasha's Justice Project - 15 minutes day 1 Tuesday, May 2 James L. Capra of Front Line Leadership Group - 90 minute keynote day 2 Wednesday, May 3 Lucien C. (Luke) Haag of Forensic Science Services - 90 minute presentation in conjunction with JFK off-site Tuesday May 2 James Ferrell of Arbinger Institute, 60 minute keynote presentation day 1 Tuesday, May 2 after Natasha Cameron Cozzens of Arbinger Institute, 1 full day workshop (Monday, May 1) The vendor prospectus was distributed in October. We currently have 18 vendor commitments and 9 additional sponsorships.



A Golf tournament is scheduled for Monday afternoon 5/2/2017 prior to the welcome reception, with separate payment option to ensure freedom from financial conflicts. After review of many potential venues, the golf subcommittee is focusing on Stevens Park, which is conveniently located near the conference site. The off-site event will be held at the JFK Museum on Tuesday, 5/2/2017 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The stakeholder reception will be held on Wednesday, 5/3/2017, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm directly after a panel discussion including members of the Texas Commission on Forensic Science. Reception will be held in the hospitality suite. Members of the stakeholder reception sub-committee are coordinating a list of invitees for the reception. The save the date sub-committee is considering 4 options for a save the date item for the Atlanta meeting in 2018. Planning Milestones:

o November 1: "Call for papers" submission deadline o December 6: Select and confirm workshops and plenary talks o December 7: Notify speakers o December 15: Prepare preliminary program o January 15: Registration open/release registration announcement o 60 days prior to symposium: announce business meeting (BYLAWS REQUIRE) o 30 days prior to symposium: publish bylaws proposals, board candidates, new member

candidates, final symposium schedule Training & Education – Committee Chair Kris Deters Committee: Jeremy Triplett, Nancy Crump, Ryan Larrison, Ashraf Mozayani, Julia Dolen, John Griffin, Kerri Heward, Susan Stanitski, Elizabeth Ziolkowski, Tim Scanlan, Dennis Hillard, Christian Westring, Debbie Leben, Chad Wissinger, Steve O’Dell

Planning with Tony Onorato, SWGDAM Chair and Brady Mills to present the DNA Mixtures Webinars. Scheduled webinars for December 13 (managers) and December 15 (technical). Brady and Lynn Garcia will present an overview of the issue for managers, directors, supervisors, QA manager and DNA tech leaders. A focus will be notifying and working with stakeholders. A member from SWGDAM will present the draft Interpretations guidelines.



We are also discussing having a technical person speak about probabilistic genotyping.and CPI/CPE.

Decided on offering 6 more “Train the Directors” webinars in the area of Trace (impression evidence), Trace (instrumental/materials analysis like paint, fibers, GSR), QD, Fire Debris, On site/field testing, and breath alcohol testing. Webinars will be scheduled two per month starting in January 2016.

Committee would like to send out survey of minimum education requirements at member agencies, as well as collect information from members and others as starting point for discussion of a document to present to the Board. Susan Stanitski has created a list of draft questions for board and committee to review.
