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AFDAA
MEETING MINUTES
JULY
31 & AUGUST 1, 2003
DAY
1
The
meeting was called to order by Chairman Ron Rubocki at approximately
8:30 am on July 31, 2003. Chairman Rubocki gave opening remarks and
then reviewed the agenda for the meeting.
The
first presenter was Pat Cooke from Affymetrix. His presentation
focused on the use of emergent technologies in forensics,
specifically SNP technology being developed by Affymetrix. patrick_cooke@affymetrix.com
The
second presenter of the day was George Schiro of the Acadiana Crime
Laboratory. His presentation was on "Trace contact DNA: casework
experience". Some examples of samples tested in casework
included steering wheels, gloves, triggers and hammers from firearms,
and duct tape. Seventy five percent of these samples gave results
with 34% of them giving full profiles. gjschiro@acadianacl.com
The
morning break was sponsored by Applied Biosystems and AFDAA.
After
break, the membership heard from Bruce Budowle from the FBI. His
first presentation dealt with "Statistical uniqueness versus
source attribution". In his presentation, he demonstrated the
FBI's use of statistics in assigning source attribution.
After
lunch, Bruce Budowle gave his second presentation covering
"BioDefense detection of microorganisms. He explained his role
in the formation of the Scientific Working Group for Microbial
Genetics and Forensics.
T.
Frudakis of DNAPrint Genomics presented on "New tests for
genomics-based physical profiling: case study". This
presentation focused on the use of a genetic panel used to give
investigative leads in cases based on genetic information. This type
of testing is used for customizing medication to specific patients
and could be used to produce a "physical profile" of a
suspect in cases where DNA has been left at the crime scene. This
technique was recently used in the serial murder investigations in Louisiana.
The
last speaker of the day was Lisa Gefrides of the Harris County
Medical Examiners office. She presented on her casework experiences
in mtDNA testing. lisa_gefrides@meo.co.harris.tx.us
Ron
Rubocki adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:00pm.
Day
2
The
second day of the meeting was called to order by Ron Rubocki at
approximately 8:37 am on Friday August 1, 2003.
Catherine
Caballero of Applied Biosystems gave an overview of their new Real-Time
PCR Quantitation Kits. Two kits will be available, one for Total
Amplifiable Human DNA and one for Total Amplifiable Human Male DNA. CaballCM@appliedbioystems.com
Ron
Rubocki then read a note from Lisa Lane from Promega. She was unable
to attend the meeting but sent some information and newsletters to be
passed out to attendees.
Morning
break was sponsored by Promega and AFDAA.
S.
Sinha from Reliagene spoke to the membership on "Y-STR casework
experience". This included validation and casework with
Reliagene's Y-STR kits: Y-Plex 5, Y-Plex 6, and Y-Plex 12.
John
Planz from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and
John Krebsbach from the Albuquerque Police Department Crime Lab gave
an update on SWGDAM. Krebsbach spoke on the SWGDAM's Quality
Assurance Group and Planz spoke on the Mito Working Group. John Planz
also gave an update on the Missing Persons Database which went online
in March. jkrebsbach@cabq.gov,
jplanz@hsc.unt.edu
At
approximately 11:38, Ron Rubocki called the business meeting to
order. Approximately 60 members were present.
Gary
Molina presented the Meeting Minutes from the January 2003 meeting
for group acceptance. A motion was made by Wil Young to accept the
minutes. The motion was seconded and the motion passed with no opposition.
Ron
Urbanovsky spoke to the group concerning House Bill 2703. This bill
will require that all laboratories whose work will be admitted into a
court of law in a criminal case must be accredited by an approved
accrediting agency by January 2005. Discussion followed concerning
the implications of this bill.
Catherine
Caballero gave a treasury report citing a balance of $3484.50.
Approximately $320 was collected through registration at this
meeting. She also credited the website for increasing exposure to the
Association and stated that the Association now has 145 members and
23 applicants representing 60 agencies in 21 states. Florida and
South Dakota are the newest states represented.
Wil
Young presented 23 new member applicants which included:
--Sujatha
Yarlagadda - Harris County Medical Examiner's Office
--Cassie
Johnson - Orchid Cellmark, Dallas
--Stacey
Lynn Edward - Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory
--Stacey
Smith - South Dakota Forensic Laboratory
--Stephen
P. Gammon - UNT Health Science Center - Missing Persons Database
--Lindsey
Smith - Texas DPS, Austin Laboratory
--Christina
McClurkan - UNT Health Science Center
--Sheree
Enfinger - Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement
--Lisa
Sansom - UNT Health Science Center
--Maria
Concepcion B. Puro - Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement
--Jennifer
Miller - Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement
--M.
AL. Salih - DNA Reference Laboratory
--Brandi
Mohler - Texas DPS, CODIS, Austin
--Angela
Tanzillo-Swarts - Texas DPS, CODIS, Austin
--Nasir
Ahmed Butt - DNA Reference Laboratory
--Harmeet
Kaur - DNA Reference Laboratory
--Kortney
A. Snider - Arizona DPS, Flagstaff
--Heather
R. Fisher - Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Laboratory
--Starla
Adams - Texas DPS, Waco
--April
Marcangeli - Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, Oklahoma City
--Kerri
Kwist - SWIFS
--Nancie
H. Jones - Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
--Heather
Whitten - New Mexico DPS, Santa Fe
A
motion was made by Arthur Young to accept the applicants and
seconded by John Krebsbach. The motion passed with no opposition.
Catherine
Caballero made a motion to require an applicant's reference to be an
AFDAA member. In the past, applicants could use their supervisor as a
reference, but as we have grown, we are receiving applicants that are
not known by other members. The motioned was seconded by Lisa
Gefrides. The motion passed without opposition.
Gary
Molina started a discussion on requiring attendance at meetings in
order to maintain membership. The group agreed that as long as dues
were paid, membership would not be dependant on attendance. No action
was taken.
Wil
Young gave an update on the Ethics Committee. The Committee has been
at work revising the Code of Ethics for AFDAA. The proposed articles
will be posted on the website for viewing and action on the revisions
will take place at a future meeting.
As
the meeting resumed, the floor was opened for nominations for the
office of Chair. Karin Scalise nominated George Schiro and the
nomination was seconded. Aliece Watts was nominated by Wil Young and
her nomination was seconded. Ron Rubocki nominated Arthur Young;
however, Arthur respectfully declined the nomination. A motion was
made and approved to cease the nominations. After brief testimonials
on the nominees, the votes were counted. The new Chair will be George
Schiro of the Acadiana Crime Lab.
Nominations
for Secretary were next on the agenda. Aliece Watts was nominated by
Pat Cooke and her nomination was approved. Pamela Smith was nominated
by Ron Rubocki and her nomination was approved. Gary Molina was
nominated by Catherine Caballero, however Gary declined the
nomination. A motion was made and approved to cease the nominations.
After brief discussion on the candidates, Aliece Watts was elected as
the new Secretary.
A
motion was made by Joe Warren to adjourn the business meeting and
the AFDAA meeting and the motion was approved. The motion passed and
the July 2003 AFDAA meeting came to a close.
Minutes
respectively submitted by Gary Molina, Secretary, for the July
31-August1, 2003 AFDAA meeting. |
