NFSTC’s Mobile Forensic Laboratory
Key Participant in Maritime Homeland Security Experiment
The NFSTC was a key participant in a maritime Homeland Security port security experiment that took place during the week of August 28, 2008. During the exercise, members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, SRI International, as well as participants from several other organizations, worked with NFSTC staff members to test procedures employed to reduce risks to navigation and the general public should an underwater threat occur.
During the experiment, a mock underwater mine was deployed. Explosive and fingerprint evidence was placed upon the improvised explosive device (IED). Divers provided by Underwater Crime Scene Investigation Team from Florida State University located and documented the presence of the IED. A robot was sent to collect explosive and fingerprint evidence from the device using an underwater swab and the robot’s photographic equipment. Forensic evidence was analyzed by the National Forensic Science Technology Center Deployable Crime Laboratory team and collected latent print evidence data was transmitted via satellite to the U.S. Army Crime Laboratory (USACIL) for analysis and comparison to latent print databases.
Article published in MarketWatch (Wall Street Journal Digital Network) 8/27/08
Slideshow
NamUs Program Milestone
Over 2400 Case Records Entered into UID Database (as of 9/8/08)
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is the first national online repository for missing persons records and unidentified decedent (UID) cases. It was launched in July 2007 by the Office of Justice Program’s National Institute of Justice.
NamUs is comprised of two databases: (1) records of unidentified decedents and (2) missing persons reports. Currently, the unidentified decedents database is searchable, and capabilities exist for medical examiners and coroners to enter their cases. The search capability of the missing persons database is in development; the site provides resources on State clearinghouses, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement, victim assistance resources, and legislation. In 2009, the two databases will be linked. Families, law enforcement agencies, medical examiners and coroners, victim advocates, and the general public will be able to search for matches between missing person and unidentified decedent records.
NamUs recently reached a milestone: As of September 8, 2008, records for 2,400 UID cases have been entered into the Unidentified Decedent database. Over the past year, medical examiners and coroners from 36 states have entered unidentified decedent records into this cutting edge database. To date, the States of Florida, New Jersey, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Maryland, and Georgia are the largest contributors of UID cases to the database and are greatly responsible for the success and rapid growth rate of the NamUs program.
Check www.namus.gov regularly to see the increase in records in the unidentified decedent database and visit the missing persons database in early 2009 to use the system when it is activated.
Pattern Evidence Training Offered at the NFSTC
In partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) announced in July 2008 that Pattern Evidence Training will be provided at no cost to eligible applicants under NIJ Cooperative Agreement Award (#2007-IJ-CX-K233).
Individual training programs are being offered in three disciplines: latent print examination, tenprint examination, and footwear/tire track examination. Each program focuses particular attention on the training and certification requirements for entry-level pattern evidence examiners.
- Latent Print Examiner Training Program
- Tenprint Examiner Training Program
- Footwear/Tire Track Examiner Training Program
-
Program Information (MS Word) (Adobe Acrobat)
-
Program Information (MS Word) (Adobe Acrobat)
-
Program Information (MS Word) (Adobe Acrobat)
Scholarships to International Association of Forensic Science (IAFS) Triennial Meeting
"Incorporating Technology" scholarships provided through the NFSTC on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
The NFSTC will provide the opportunity for the introduction of new technologies to investigators, prosecutors, and forensic scientists. The BJA agreement funds the attendance of selected participants at the International Association of Forensic Science (IAFS) triennial meeting, which will be held in New Orleans, LA in July 2008.
Following their attendance, the participants will be required to submit a paper reporting on an area of technology for which they attended a seminar at the IAFS meeting. The papers will be submitted to BJA and may be made into a publication by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), thus providing the forensic community with access to information regarding new technologies.
To view the announcement on the BJA website, go to http://www.ojp.gov/bja. Click here for complete details and application procedures.
Note: Scholarship resources are limited. We are expecting a large applicant response; as many applicants as possible will be accommodated. All applications will receive a response.
Deployable Forensic Laboratory Draws Crowds at the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS)
A deployable forensic laboratory shelter presented by the NFSTC drew huge crowds at the AAFS meeting held in Washington, D.C. (February 18-22, 2008). Equipped with forensic instrumentation and equipment used to conduct biological screening, IED identification, and identification of drugs of abuse, the shelter was displayed to expose the forensic community to this mobile concept applied to forensics. For use not only by the warfighter in international locations, the deployable laboratory was developed for domestic use as a temporary facility in case of emergency or to support an existing laboratory (to facilitate the reduction of case backlogs and/or for training).
The laboratory structure displayed at AAFS was a single unit, that when connected to additional similar structures, provides the flexibility and versatility required to conduct multiple forensic science disciplines in virtually any geographical location.
Link to additional information about the Deployable Forensic Laboratory project.
Link to online press article and video filmed at AAFS meeting.
Link to deployable forensic laboratory photo gallery.
William J. Tilstone, PhD. Retires from the NFSTC
Effective December 31, 2007, Bill Tilstone retires from the NFSTC. He leaves behind a legacy of service to the forensic community through his collaborative efforts with the NFSTC leadership and staff. In recognition of his contribution since the company's formation in 1996, a retrospective tribute has been posted here. We hope that you will join all of us at the NFSTC in bidding him farewell and best wishes. (BillTils@mac.com)
NFSTC Named Forensic Technology Center of Excellence
Office of Justice Programs announces Award
"The National Forensic Science Technology Center is receiving $6 million to form the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence that will support numerous OJP research and development initiatives specifically related to forensic science and technology. It will also serve as the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology, and the Law's online resource and support forensics technology working groups' activities."
DOJ / OJP full text announcement
NFSTC Develops Missing Persons Website
Partnering with the NIJ as part of the Justice Department's (OJP) NamUs System
In an announcement released on July 2, 2007, the Office of Justice Programs launched the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Initiative (NamUs), which will include a database to provide national search and match of unidentified human remains with records of missing persons.
The Missing Persons website can be accessed directly as well as through the www.NamUs.gov website, which also provides medical examiners, coroners, victim advocates, law enforcement, and the general public with access to Unidentified Decedents online database for information on unidentified human remains). These two innovative programs and their searchable databases are brought together under NamUs.
The Missing Persons site is designed to improve the quality and quantity of missing persons data and to simplify the reporting and management of missing persons cases for the justice community and the general public. The system will provide a national online missing persons database to enhance reporting, investigation, and the solving of missing persons cases. Law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, and other members of the justice community, as well as family members, will be able to log on to the database to enter data regarding missing persons. Additional resources, including State clearinghouses, medical examiners and coroners, victim assistance resources, and legislation are currently available and will continue to be added to this database. The database functions are scheduled for completion in fall of 2008.
The Challenge: Identify the Dead (Tampa Tribune 7/8/07)
NFSTC Develops Deployable Forensic Laboratory
With Department of Defense (DOD) and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
In 2006, the NFSTC began a partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to develop a readily deployable forensic laboratory. A similar laboratory structure employed in the exploitation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), was originally used to support the global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. This concept will be modified to expand the availability and portability of forensic analysis capabilities in the United States and internationally.
This deployable forensic laboratory could provide rapid response to an urgent need by:
- Providing an at-the-ready setup used to expand the capabilities of the warfighter in gathering forensic intelligence
- Responding to a natural disaster or an accidental incident and as a force multiplier to support existing forensic operations (e.g., in the aftermath of a natural disaster where a state or local forensic laboratory could no longer provide services)
- Supplementing a functional laboratory in an effort to reduce case backlogs
The NFSTC Partners with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
In a February 13, 2007 press release, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced that four Florida’s sheriff’s offices are partnering with the National Forensic Science Technology Center "...in an innovative new program to train sheriff’s personnel to pre-screen evidence collected at crime scenes for the presence of DNA.
The federally-funded pilot program is the first of its kind in the country... The purpose of the pilot is to enable the participating local agencies to pre-screen evidence for the presence of DNA, ensuring that items most likely to contain the substance are submitted to FDLE’s crime labs."
View / download full press release text
The NFSTC Recognizes and Honors the Service, Leadership, and Friendship of Michael G. Sheppo
Sheppo Retires from ISP and joins NIJ
The National Forensic Science Technology Center, on behalf of its Members, Board of Directors, and staff, recognizes and thanks Michael G. Sheppo for his many years of exemplary and dedicated service in the field of forensic science and for his exceptional leadership in support of this organization.
Michael G. Sheppo joined the NFSTC Board of Directors in 1996 and served as President of the Board from 1997 through 2005. Fortunately, the NFSTC has continued to benefit from the experience and leadership of Mike Sheppo in his capacity of NFSTC Board Member. His final term as a member of the Board expires in May 2007.
As President, Sheppo has been instrumental in helping the NFSTC to form strategic relationships within the forensic science community. He has served as a key spokesperson for the NFSTC at various professional meetings over the years. The information and insight that was gained from those meetings helped to shape his decisions, along with the other Board Members, in structuring the programs offered by the organization. President Sheppo helped to lead the organization down a path that would establish a fundamental partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The NIJ is the principal customer and source of funding for the organization.
Under President Sheppo’s leadership the Board expanded its corporate governance awareness. As an outcome, the Finance Audit Committee (FAC) was formed in 2003. The primary responsibility of the FAC is to ensure that adequate financial and operational controls are in place to help guard against incidences similar to the ENRON and Tyco scandals.
In 2006, Mr. Sheppo retired from his position as Commander and chief administrator for the Illinois State Police, Forensic Sciences Command, which includes eight operational laboratories and a Research and Development Laboratory. Presently, Mr. Sheppo is working for Lockheed Martin Information Technology as a contractor to the NIJ. As a Visiting Scientist, he directs the Grant Progress Assessment Program (GPA), which includes all of the DNA grants and the NFSIA (Coverdell) grants. He will also serve as a forensic science resource for other portions of the NIJ that are involved in research related to the forensic sciences.
Michael Sheppo’s Biographical and Career Information
On Assignment at the National Institute of Justice
Mark Nelson, NFSTC DNA Program Manager on One Year Temporary Assignment
On October 16, 2006, Mark Nelson began a one year Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA) to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) as a Senior Program Manager. His responsibilities include the management of the DNA grant programs, (DNA Capacity, DNA Casework, No Suspect, and Convicted Offender In-house and Outsourcing grants).
Prior to this special assignment at the NIJ, Mark Nelson managed an NFSTC program funded by the National Institute of Justice that provides for no cost Grant Progress Assessments (GPA) and external DNA audits to the nation’s crime labs. In this capacity, he recruits, trains, and evaluates GPA and DNA assessors,, plans and schedules the assessments, and reviews the work product of the assessment teams.
After thirty years of service, Mark retired from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. He held the positions of Special Agent in Charge of Special Projects and the Special Agent in Charge of the Molecular Genetics Section. Mark was a charter member of TWGDAM, later named to SWGDAM and served as a member until January 2003. Mark has delivered over 100 audits, inspections, and assessments during his career. He is a former member of the American Society of Crime Lab Directors and the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists.
Mark's past appointments include the ASCLD-LAB DNA Proficiency Test Review Committee, as an ASCLD-LAB Inspector and Team Captain, to the Quality Forensics DNA Proficiency Test Review Committee, and to the College of American Pathology Pathologists - Forensic Identity Committee.
NFSTC contact for DNA Audit Program and Grant Progress Assessment Program: David.Sylvester@nfstc.org
Assistant Attorney General Press Conference Held at the NFSTC
The Missing Person Regional Training East Conference was held at Clearwater Beach, Florida from September 19 - 21, 2005.
During her attendance at the conference, the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, Regina B. Schofield gave opening remarks at a press conference held at the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC). The purpose of the press conference was to announce federal funding under the President's DNA Initiative. This included $3.8 million to support the NFSTC in their efforts to ".advance the use of DNA evidence".
United States Attorney Paul Perez and John Morgan, Assistant Director for Science and Technology, Office of Science and Technology, National Institute of Justice also addressed the press conference and were on hand to answer questions from the press members.
Text from the Assistant Attorney General's press conference.
Back to topKevin Lothridge Brings NIJ Experience to the NFSTC
Kevin Lothridge, the Deputy Executive Director of the National Forensic Science Technology Center, returned to the NFSTC on July 1, 2004, . During the year preceding his return, Kevin held the position of Acting Chief of the Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
The Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division is part of the National Institute of Justice, which is the research, development, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. The NIJ has a long history of funding research and development projects with substantial impact on the forensic science community. These projects focus on both general forensic science and on DNA.
Over the last several years, the NIJ has been tasked by Congress with providing resources to improve the timeliness and capacity of state and local forensic service providers. This resource capacity covers all areas of forensic science.
As Acting Chief, Kevin’s responsibilities included the supervision of eleven staff members. Together they achieved the goal of expediting grant funds to state and local forensic science service providers. Grant funding for fiscal year 2003 totaled $100 million in programs and over $110 million for fiscal year 2004.
Throughout his tenure in this capacity, Kevin and his staff interfaced with state and local forensic science providers and related the concerns of this community to the NIJ. The content of this exchange is witnessed by the work completed on the soon to be released 180 day study of the needs of the forensic science community. This document fulfills the legislative requirement that the NIJ submit to Congress a report addressing the needs of forensic service providers beyond the DNA Initiative.
When asked for his comments on the past year at the NIJ, Kevin states, “I am very grateful to NIJ Director Sarah Hart, Deputy Director Glenn Schmitt and all of the hard working NIJ staff for the opportunity to assist the forensic community in its work to ensure the public safety of our country.”
"I believe that the year that NFSTC Deputy Director Kevin Lothridge spent working at the NIJ was mutually beneficial to the NFSTC and the NIJ. Kevin brought a wealth of forensic and practical managerial experience to the NIJ. Kevin’s involvement streamlined and improved some of the NIJ grant processes. His contacts in the forensic science community also provided the opportunity to obtain input into the NIJ's very important federal programs.
Kevin has returned to the NFSTC not only as a more seasoned administrator, but also as a more knowledgeable and experienced leader, which will undoubtedly benefit the NFSTC. Certainly the NFSTC missed Kevin during the year; however, I firmly believe that the mutual missions of both organizations were enhanced through this year long experience.”
Michael G. Sheppo
President, NFSTC Board of Directors
