Forensic science is a field that has taken leaps and bounds over the past several years. From the advent of DNA analysis to the continued technological advancements in the sciences, the progress made in criminalistics has been remarkable.
The evaluation of forensic evidence has changed significantly since the 1994 DNA Identification Act. Forensic DNA analysis plays a critical role in criminal investigations, and as a result now presents forensic labs with huge backlog issues due to the number of samples submitted for examination. This is where presumptive testing of evidence, such as suspected biological fluids, can be helpful.
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS) annual meeting is being held later this month from May 14th through the 18th. MAAFS is one of several regional/state forensic science associations in the United States. Regional meetings are great for scientists to attend because they usually require less travel than attending the national AAFS meeting, and they provide a more personal forum for presentations and also networking with scientists from that particular region. MAAFS is also a great forum for student presenters, as scholarships are awarded annually. I will be presenting on Thursday, May 17thon the benefits of including fluorescence Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) in the battery of analyses that are typically applied to tape examination. Fluorescence HSI adds value to tape examination, because it is a macroscopic analysis that provides both visual and spectral results, requires little samples preparation, is non destructive, and can allow for a quick elimination in a comparison of known and questioned tapes.
Two Gateway Analytical scientists (David Exline and Ryan Priore) have volunteered to take part in the advisory committee for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program in the Pine Richland School District. The intention of this committee is to combine the talents and interests of the community to best support students within the Pine-Richland School District. This group will meet periodically to discuss our focus on STEAM at both the elementary and secondary grade levels within the school district. Discussions during our advisory committee meetings will focus on corporate outreach and partnerships, building student interest in STEAM education and future careers, and hands-on classroom applications of STEAM curriculum.
I'm excited to say that Gateway Analytical is one step closer to achieving its 2012 goal of ASLCD/LAB accreditation for our forensic trace evidence analysis services. We've submitted the required application materials including the Quality Management System Manual, Statement of Qualifications (SOQs), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), among others, which have been accepted by the assigned assessor and we are now undergoing a document gap analysis. We expect our certification audit to be in May or June and look forward to meeting our goal of ASCLD/LAB accreditation in late Q3 or early Q4!
On Feb 7th, 2012 Gateway Analytical hosted a live webinar titled “Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis for Police & Attorneys”. During the webinar our presenters, David Exline and Cara Plese, discussed what gunshot residue (GSR) is, how to collect it and control contamination, the historical and current methods of analytical testing of GSR, as well as a discussion on how terminology in the GSR community has changed and why.