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.