Cara Plese, M.S., Senior Scientist
On January 22nd, Dave Exline, Senior V.P. and Rebekah Wagurak, Forensic Scientist at Gateway Analytical, hosted a webinar designed for police and attorneys and built upon the information provided in our previous webinar, “Forensic Analysis of Gunshot Residue for Police & Attorneys.” During this webinar, our presenters provided police officers with tips on the proper collection of gunshot residue (GSR) evidence, as well as, the methodology used to analyze and interpret the data utilizing automated scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Our presenters also took attendees into the courtroom, providing attorneys with insight into the significance of GSR evidence during a case, and what implications can be made from this type of evidence during expert testimony.
We are now one (1) of only two (2) private labs in the country that is accredited to this standard for trace evidence, and we are the only private lab in the country to be accredited for gunshot residue analysis.
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.