Agenda

The following is a high level agenda for the 2025 Symposium. Pre-conference activities take place Friday and Saturday, with the full conference taking place from 5:00 PM on Saturday through 12:30 PM on Tuesday. A detailed agenda will be listed in December 2024 below the special events.

Please note that the days of week for the 2025 Symposium differ from ASCLD's traditional pattern. This is a one-time only, Covid-19 related change. ASCLD thanks you for your understanding and looks forward to returning to our regularly scheduled programing in 2026!

PRE-CONFERENCE

Friday, April 4

6:15 AM Workouts

8:00 AM Board of Directors meeting

8:00 AM Leadership Academy

8:00 AM Workshops

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Workshops

5:00 Leadership Academy Reception

Saturday, April 5

6:15 AM Workouts

8:00 AM Leadership Academy

8:00 AM Workshops

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Workshop

5:00 PM Opening reception, symposium begins

Sunday, April 6

6:15 AM Workouts

7:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM General and breakout sessions

12:00 PM Lunch

1:30 PM General and breakout sessions

6:00 PM Offsite event

SYMPOSIUM

Monday, April 7

6:15 AM Workouts

7:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM General and breakout sessions

12:00 PM Lunch

1:30 PM Business meeting

3:30 PM Closing reception

7:30 PM President's and Awards dinner

Tuesday, April 8

6:15 AM Workouts

7:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM General and breakout sessions

12:30 PM Symposium ends

Pre-Conference Excursions

All excursions are subject to change or cancelation without notification. All excursions will run rain or shine. No refunds will be given for attendee cancelation of excursion; refunds provided if excursion is canceled by ASCLD. Guests may partake in any experience, space permitting, registration required. Limited spaces available for all events.

FRIDAY

7:00 AM - 6:40 PM Winter Park Express

The Winter Park Express is a seasonal train between Denver Union Station and the doorstep of the ski resort. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes round-trip train ride, lift ticket, and equipment rentals. $300.00

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Coors Brewery Tour

The Coors Brewery Tour showcases the largest single-site brewery in the world! Since 1873 the Coors Brewery has thrived on a legacy of quality, innovation and customer service. Learn about the history and passion for brewing in a 60-minute tour. Visitors who are 21 years and older, with a valid government issued ID, will be able to receive 3 beer samples of their choices. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Note: This tour experience involves going up and down stairs. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes transportation to and from brewery plus brewery admission ticket. $65.00

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Dinosaur Ridge

Guided bus tour features stops at the Bone Bed, the Brontosaur Bugles, and the Dinosaur Tracksite. Brief talks at each site provide context for the fossils on the ridge. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes transportation to and from museum plus admission ticket. $65.00

SATURDAY

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary offers an incredible 33,000+ acres of natural habitats for its rescued animals to enjoy, and is home to more than 950 rehabilitated animals. The Sanctuary is not a Zoo and offers a completely different experience than what most people are used to. Note: This tour experience involves 1.5+ miles of walking and no dogs, including service animals, are allowed on the property at any time. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes transportation to and from the sanctuary plus admission ticket. $85.00

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Afternoon Tea at the Brown Palace

No visit to Denver is complete without experiencing this iconic Afternoon Tea. Sip tea topped with Devonshire cream, shipped directly from England while listening to the soft sounds of the grand piano float through the multi-story atrium. Also enjoy handmade pastries, scones, and tea sandwiches while admiring the natural light streaming in from the stained-glass ceiling. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes admission to tea. $75.00

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Denver Police Museum

The museum promote social impact by building bridges between citizens and the law enforcement of Denver, creating opportunities for community understanding and engagement, strengthening the city's relationship with the community, and educating youth to inspire community involvement, responsibility, and a future generation of law enforcement professionals. Ticket purchase through ASCLD includes admission ticket for guided tour. $10.00

Special Events

Leadership Academy Reception

Friday, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

For current attendees and past graduates of the Leadership Academy

RSVP through event registration required. $0.00

More details coming soon!

R.I.S.E.N. Reception

Sunday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

For retirees, international attendees, students, emeritus members, and new members/first time attendees

RSVP through event registration required. $0.00

More details coming soon!

Offsite Event

Monday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Open to all Full Symposium attendees and exhibitors, or Monday day pass attendees. Guests welcome, registration required.

Step into a world of immersive wonder at Meow Wolf Denver for our exclusive conference offsite event! Explore mind-bending art installations, interactive exhibits, and captivating storytelling that will ignite your imagination. This offsite experience promises to be a one-of-a-kind adventure, where creativity meets connection. Don’t miss your chance to network in this extraordinary, otherworldly environment while indulging in light bites and refreshments. Secure your spot now and be part of a journey that transcends the ordinary

Registration required, limited spots available. $75.00

Presidents and Awards Reception

Tuesday, PM

Open to all Full Symposium attendees and exhibitors, or Tuesday day pass attendees. Guests welcome, registration required.

RSVP through event registration required. $0.00

More details coming soon!

Symposium Agenda

Friday

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM DNA Efficiency: Achieving Zero Backlog

In 2014, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory was grappling with an unprecedented DNA backlog exceeding 5,000 cases. With a staff of only 20 DNA analysts, the lab struggled to manage the increasing demand for DNA testing, particularly for theft, burglary, vandalism, and home invasion cases, many of which were approaching their 7-year statute of limitations. While this challenge was not unique to Arizona, the lab’s response over the next decade was nothing short of remarkable. Despite a host of obstacles—including becoming a test-all sexual assault kit state, tackling an additional backlog of over 4,000 unsubmitted sexual assault kits, implementing probabilistic genotyping, navigating the COVID pandemic, and enduring the loss of 27 DNA analysts to promotions, retirements, and resignations—the lab achieved extraordinary results. Today, it operates with a staff of just 15 DNA analysts, maintaining a zero 60-day backlog and an average turnaround time of just 42 days. In this workshop, we’ll recount the lab’s transformative journey and delve into the strategies and innovations that made it possible. We’ll explore: •Identifying and challenging cognitive biases and historical beliefs •Starting small and utilizing available resources effectively •Standardizing processes to maximize efficiency •Creating buy-in and fostering better communication and transparency •Reviewing policies and procedures for opportunities to eliminate waste •Engaging in community outreach •Introducing new software, paperless notes, and instrumentation •Outsourcing casework and validations Join us as we uncover how these efforts came together to turn one of the first nationally accredited crime labs into one of the most efficient and dynamic in the field. $250 Sponsored by Promega Corporation Grant Belancik, Jennifer Kochanski, Ann MacPhetridge

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM A Considered Approach

Navigating Accreditation Requirements Achieving and maintaining accreditation can be daunting. ISO 17025 was established for testing and calibration labs, and the language can be challenging to interpret for a forensic laboratory. Moreover, there are two main accrediting bodies active in the US and each has published requirements documents specifically for forensic laboratories. Join us to learn about these requirements, discuss their common themes, and share some practical considerations for demonstrating compliance in an active laboratory environment. We will also explore how technology can support these efforts and hope the group will engage by sharing their challenges, experiences, and best practices. $250 Sponsored by LabVantage Solutions Inc Henry Marche, Jon Byrd, Robin MacDonald

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Technical Leader Training Academy

Two-day training seminar for discipline technical leaders. Training will include individual sessions on change management, project management, presenting information to decision makers, uncertainty of measurement and traceability concepts, conducting robust and appropriate validation studies, technical writing, developing and delivering technical presentations, meeting facilitation, and conflict resolution and crucial conversations. The presentations will be given by experienced laboratory directors and forensic science leaders with a focus on engaging presentations and hands-on exercises and practice. Target audience is current or aspiring technical leaders in any forensic science discipline. Training will mostly be geared at newer discipline leaders or aspiring technical leaders that are gaining experience in leadership and also technical topics. Helping these newer technical leaders to present material to those in the discipline, leadership, and outside individuals will be a major focus. Helping these new leaders develop skills such as meeting facilitation, conducting a validation study, communicating with members of their discipline, and publishing technical information (including validation studies) will be discussed in detail. The goal of this training will be to develop their skills as a technical leader, network them together in a support cohort, and help them recognize other training they need to achieve role as technical leader. $600 Matthew Gamette, Ray Wickenheiser

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Sequencing 101

What is a library? If it is whole genome sequencing, why don’t I get the whole genome? This workshop is designed to be a crash course in all things sequencing. Existing commercial and custom panels for autosomal short tandem repeat (STR), X-STR, Y-STR, mitochondrial, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing will be discussed. Additionally, the differences between targeted sequencing, shotgun sequencing, amplicon versus ligation-based libraries, and additional sequencing methods will be compared. Whether or not bioinformatics is required based on the sequencing method will be explored, as well as the types of bioinformatic processes that may be employed including imputation. With any new technology comes the introduction of this procedure in the courtroom as well as the inevitable court challenges. Successfully presented expert witness testimony will be previewed as well as a look at ongoing court challenges. Finally, cases where sequencing has been utilized will be highlighted. The presenters of this workshop will span industry experts, a bioinformatician, and active casework users of sequencing technologies. The goal of this workshop is to provide attendees with better knowledge of the sequencing process and to provide a foundation for informed decision making for those considering deploying sequencing in their laboratory. $250 Cristina Servidio, Kevin Lord, Sarah Miller, Laurence Devesse

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Hitchhiker's Guide - The NIST Handbook

In 2013, NIST published the "Forensic Science Laboratories: Handbook for Facility Planning, Design, Construction, and Relocation," a vital resource for lab directors, designers, consultants, and stakeholders involved in the design or renovation of forensic science laboratories. This handbook offers essential guidance to ensure projects meet the specific needs of law enforcement and criminal justice communities while adhering to industry design standards. This workshop will equip participants with tools to navigate the handbook effectively, providing practical approaches, metrics, checklists, and real-world case studies from lab directors. Attendees will gain critical insights into programming, planning, design, and construction, enabling them to answer key questions like, "How big is the project, and how much will it cost?" Furthermore, as we advance into an era of rapid technological innovation, the workshop will explore how the NIST handbook influences the incorporation of these advancements and process improvements into forensic lab design. The workshop will provide attendees with a critical checklist, identifying the key program elements, features and approaches necessary to develop forward thinking and future proofed forensic facilities. The Workshop will include the presentation of Case Study Examples, presented by (3) Forensic Laboratory Directors. The Case Study Examples will highlight facilities at (3) Key Stages of the Design and Development Process including, 1) A completed facility in current operation, 2) A New state of the art Criminalistics Lab currently under construction, and 3) A New 100,000 SF Forensic Lab Facility currently in active design. Additionally, the workshop will address strategies for effective collaboration with forensic laboratory design teams to meet evolving facility requirements. Participants will learn how to apply design principles, forensic processes, programming tools, and case studies to create a state-of-the-art forensic science laboratory, tailored to their unique cultural, employee wellness, and operational needs. $250 Ken Mohr, Scott Morgan, Jinhee Lee, Jon Howard, Chad Guidry, Jody Wolf, Kevin Ardoin, Patrick Slattery

Saturday

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Frontier in MS-based Forensic Toxicology

In forensic science, the accuracy and reliability of analytical techniques are paramount in solving complex cases, ranging from drug-related crimes to DUI incidents. Advanced technologies like Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography (GC) play crucial roles in analyzing evidence from crime scenes, including trace levels of drugs, toxins, and blood alcohol content (BAC). Participants will delve into the capabilities of Orbitrap MS, known for its exceptional mass accuracy, resolution, and sensitivity, making it a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying trace compounds in forensic samples. The workshop will cover practical aspects of using Orbitrap MS in forensic investigations, including optimal sample preparation, method development, and data analysis. The presentations in this workshop will focus on drugs of abuse in urine and oral fluid, demonstrating automation from sample preparation to reporting. Drugs of abuse testing is an essential and routine requirement for forensic toxicology labs. With the ever-growing number of abused drugs and the increase in overdoses, it is crucial to develop a fast, high-throughput LC-MS/MS method that accommodates drugs of different hydrophilicities and chemical structures and produces baseline separation of isomers. Verification of percent RSDs and differences with LLOQs will be presented. Additionally, the workshop will cover the principles and practices of blood alcohol testing using GC, a gold-standard method in forensic toxicology. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply Orbitrap MS in their forensic work, ensuring high precision and reliability in their analyses. $250 Kerry Hassell, Courtney Patterson, Jingshu Gho

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Influencing Stakeholders: Uniting Value

Influencing Legislators and Stakeholders: Uniting Your Laboratory’s Value to Your Casework Identifications The workshop is a continuation of last year’s highly rated presentation, “Demonstrating and Using Our Forensic Value to Advance Forensic Science: Incorporating Our Value in Our Production Outputs.” The majority of attendees agreed to the following questions: Are you interested in learning more about outcomes? How to utilize outcomes for funding and stakeholder support? Would you like a toolkit developed for your labs use? How to use the toolkit training? Workshops at Future Symposiums The workshop implements training for the first, second, and last questions. Be the first of your colleagues to integrate your system/laboratory’s value in monthly/quarterly/annual reports. Attendees will learn how to provide a deeper understanding of your system/laboratory’s contributions to the Criminal Justice and Judicial Communities. Additionally, incorporating your laboratory’s value provides the foundation within your agency for incorporating more comprehensive benefit values. Learning Objectives: Integrate one societal benefit (value) to five different crimes based upon your laboratory’s cost of the analyses. Utilizing the value, you’ll be able to justify additional funding for: expansion of laboratory services; and additional headcount. Create a template for your lab’s online case statistics. Plan for the future: A look into future plans? The workshop is designed for System and Laboratory Directors, along with their staff. Attendees will be well-prepared to communicate their laboratory’s value effectively with legislatures, stakeholders, and upper management, especially when it comes to budget discussions. $250 Garry Bombard

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Mastering Courageous Conversations

Courageous Conversations: How to Equip Yourself for Difficult Interactions In today's rapidly evolving world, the ability to communicate effectively—especially in challenging situations—is the hallmark of exceptional leadership. As organizations navigate unprecedented change and diversity, leaders must rise to the occasion, transforming potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation. This interactive workshop will revolutionize your approach to difficult conversations, equipping you with powerful strategies. Whether you're dealing with resistant team members, managing conflicting priorities, or bridging generational divides, this session will provide you with the tools to communicate courageously and effectively. Leave empowered to tackle your most daunting communication challenges, inspire your team through turbulent times, and drive positive change in your organization. $300 Dean Gialamas

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CSAFE Tools for Forensic Practice

The workshop will focus on computational tools developed by CSAFE researchers in collaboration with NIST scientists. The tools are designed to answer forensic questions of interest in several pattern comparison disciplines and enable practitioners to provide a probabilistic assessment of the evidence. At least in the near future, the new resources are meant to be used alongside traditional examination methods and serve to either confirm categorical conclusions or call attention to potential issues with those conclusions. The emphases will be on the tools themselves: functionalities and limitations, hardware requirements, correct interpretation of findings, availability of training, and plans for extensions. Participants will be able to download applications and example datasets prior to the workshop date. $250 Alicia Carriquiry, Jeff Salyards

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM The Working Genius

The Working Genius is Patrick Lencioni’s newest teamwork model, which helps people understand how they can contribute to work most effectively. This tool can help individuals, leaders and teams better leverage one another’s strengths and understand how to be both productive and fulfilled at work. Working Genius Certified Facilitators are equipped to analyze and apply results to help individuals and teams leverage Working Genius to be more innovative, strategic, and effective. Working with a Certified Facilitator can transform work for people by helping them understand: 1. Why they have been successful or unsuccessful in past endeavors 2. Clarify which types of work give joy and energy and which types are draining and difficult 3. Avoid making unfair and inaccurate judgments about one another’s motivation 4. Alleviate guilt about struggles people have with certain types of work 5. Improve dialogue and directives in team meetings 6. Make quick and concrete adjustments to roles and responsibilities to better tap into one another’s strengths 7. Avoid one another’s weaknesses and get more done in less time. $250 Jeff Herold