In the News

New York
Forensic scientist commits suicide
A State Police scientist hanged himself in his garage Friday, law enforcement officials said, the second time in a little over a week that someone with ties to the agency has killed himself.

United Kingdom
New fingerprint breakthrough by forensic scientists
Researchers in the University Department of Chemistry and the Polices scientific support unit have developed the method that enables scientists to visualize fingerprints even after the print itself has been removed. They conducted a study into the way fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces. The technique can enhance after firing a fingerprint that has been deposited on a small caliber metal cartridge case before it is fired.

Texas
Chief of Houston PD speaks out, says critics need to 'shoot straight'
"The Houston Police Department and its operational management procedures have absorbed a fair amount of the Chronicle's ink in the last week. HPD doesn't mind being targeted for scrutiny, but the aim of some critics is much farther from the mark than others. We think there's a fuller story citizens should hear."

Maine
Eight communities to build crime lab
Police chiefs from eight communities in southern Maine, along with city and town officials, met at the Portland Police Department Wednesday to sign onto participating in a regional forensic crime lab.

Kentucky
Judge says DNA testing can continue in '79 murder
Late last week, Judge James Shake denied the prosecution's request for an official order prohibiting further testing, but he noted that "any flaws in the collection process" can be challenged later.

Missouri
Lab Construction Nearly Done, Funding Still Needed
Springfield's crime lab is more than half way finished but local officials are still trying to find out how they pay off the final loan.

Minnesota
Anoka County Board on verge of funding new lab
A $26 million tri-county forensic crime lab is expected to receive financial backing from the Anoka County Board Tuesday following last week's funding approval by the county's finance committee.

Massachusetts
Patrick: 'Significant progress' made at crime lab
The State Police crime laboratory, criticized in recent years for inefficiency and mishandling of DNA and other evidence, has dramatically slashed its backlog and turnaround time by increasing staff and purchasing robotic work stations.

California
Firearm micro-stamping feasible, not ideal, experts say
UC Davis forensic science program researchers testing new microscopic engraving technology on gun firing pins have concluded that while it is feasible, the technology did not work well for all guns and ammunition tested.

Washington
Judges rule breath-testing machines unreliable
The Washington State Patrol Toxicology Lab plans to have all the breath-test machines it uses to measure the alcohol level of drunken-driving suspects retested for accuracy because of a ruling by a Seattle court.

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Upcoming Meetings and Conferences
Please send us an email if you'd like us to announce an upcoming event.  We will post meeting announcements for major events only.

(IAFS)      International Association of Forensic Sciences
July 21-26, 2008   New Orleans, Louisiana

(IAI)         International Association for Identification
August 17-23, 2008    Louisville, Kentucky

(NAME)    National Association of Medial Examiners
September 5-10, 2008     Louisville, KY

(ASCLD)  American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
September 14-18, 2008   Salt Lake City, Utah

(SAFS)     Southern Association of Forensic Scientists
September 21-26, 2008    Shreveport, Louisiana

(SWAFS)  Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists
September 22-26, 2008   Little Rock, Arkansas

(MAFS)    Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists
September 28 - October 3, 2008     Des Moines, Iowa

(NAFS)     Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists
November 3-7, 2008   Boise, Idaho

(AAFS)    American Academy of Forensic Sciences
February 16-21, 2009     Denver, CO

(MAAFS)  Mid Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists
May 4-8, 2009    Hunt Valley, MD

(AFTE)     Association of Firearm & Toolmark Examiners
2009   Miami Beach, FL    Dates to be announced.

(Special Joint Meeting)   MAAFS, MAFS, SAFS, SWAFS
October 18-23, 2009    Orlando, FL
 

Interesting Topics

Should experts be sued for changing their minds?
"These are the troubling questions raised by a recent decision of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowing a lawsuit to proceed against a doctor whose change of heart on the eve of trial contributed to dismissal of a medical malpractice claim." (Source: Expert News by IMS)

Immunity for expert witnesses?
A look at how various states have weighed in on the question of expert witness immunity. This list should prove to be a valuable resource both for experts and attorneys.
(Source: Expert News by IMS)

Performance Appraisals:  A refresher for managers
It's one of the most important functions of a manager, but one of the most misunderstood aspects of good leadership. (Source: The Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship)