On April 2nd, Dave Exline, Senior V.P. and Antonio Scatena, Laboratory Manager at Gateway Analytical hosted a webinar designed for manufacturing managers, quality control managers and analytical lab personnel. During this webinar, our presenters discussed the various areas of an industrial forensic investigation, including contamination testing to control contamination of raw materials, processes and products; different types of quality control systems; and took the audience into the lab to discuss how to prepare samples for testing using various analytical techniques including microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR and Raman. They also discussed how to interpret the data collected and what type of conclusions can be made from your findings. Finally, our presenters provided example case scenarios to demonstrate the methodology of industrial forensic analysis.
Original Event Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Duration: 45 minutes
Presenters: David Exline, Senior Vice President at Gateway Analytical
Host: Shawn Wilhelm, Marketing Coordinator at Gateway Analytical
Event Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Time: 11 a.m. EST
Duration: 60 minutes
Presenters: David Exline, Senior Vice President & Rebekah Wagurak, Scientist I at Gateway Analytical
Host: Shawn Wilhelm, Marketing Coordinator at Gateway Analytical
Many times, when people hear the words “forensic science,” the initial instinct is to think of the typical TV crime show scenario, involving violent crimes and murder (enter in any various song by The Who). While there is no argument that forensics plays a significant role in these types of situations, many times people don’t realize the value that forensic techniques can have for other types of scenarios. Criminal forensics is only one division of the forensic science field. Another legal area that can benefit greatly from forensics analyses is the branch of civil law. Civil litigation involves disputes between parties in which compensation rather than punishment is the focus, which could include anything from various torts to contract laws to property laws. Just as in criminal law, civil law involves a need for evidence to prove a case.
Every time I do training, I try to ask myself, “What is it that I am hoping to get out of this”? Typically in answering that question I also answer, “What do I hope the trainees get out of this?” Although many types of training are required on an annual basis, there is no reason for those doing the training to fall into a routine where they deliver the same set of PowerPoint slides year after year. Granted, there are important messages that must be delivered each and every time a particular topic is presented; however, that does not excuse the trainer from finding a dynamic, inventive and useful approach to deliver that message.
Last week, myself and Sara Nedley, QA specialist, visited Waynesburg Universityto talk to students of the Forensic Science program. The undergraduate forensic science students got to see the AAFS presentation “What Judges and Lawyers need to Know about the Science behind Trace Evidence Examination” and also had the opportunity to ask questions about what to expect in the forensic science field as either a scientist or a quality specialist, and also talk about graduate school, internships, research, and how to get involved in the forensic science community.
On March 5th, David Exline, Senior Vice President at Gateway Analytical hosted a webinar for attorneys and engineers involved in civil product liability claims. During this webinar, he provided a general overview of product liability testing within the laboratory and discussed basic analytical testing methods and technologies used for testing different types of materials. He also provided a unique forensic approach to the investigation, testing and defense of analytical information related to products and product testing and provide details on how to interpret the data and what conclusions can be made from the results.
On February 28th, I returned to Highland Middle School (Blackhawk School District) to give an educational lecture to the 7th grade science classes.
AAFS 2013 Presenataion: What Judges and Lawyers Need to Know about the Science Behind Trace Evidence
Gateway Analytical scientists Cara Plese and Antonio Scatena recently presented at the 2013 AAFS Annual Meeting in Washington DC. The presentation titled: "What Judges and Lawyers Need to Know about the Science Behind Trace Evidence" is now available for download.
At this years IFPAC - 2013 27th International Forum and Exhibition Process Analytical Technology, I gave a presentation titled Forensic Analysis of Foreign Particles in Pharmaceutical Materials.