ROCIC and DNA:SI Training Partnership Continues

The Houston County Texas Sheriff’s Office will host DNA Collection and Local DNA Index Training in Crocket, TX on February 24, 2010 to continue the ROCIC–DNA:SI training collaboration.
On January 27, 2010, DNA:SI provided a similar training session for law enforcement investigators at ROCIC headquarters in Nashville, TN.
DNA:SI Labs first presented touch/contact DNA collection methods and Local DNA Index Systems at the Regional Organized Crime Information Center Homicide Investigator Training Seminar in Charleston, WV in October 2009. ROCIC is one of six NIJ funded RISS - Regional Information Sharing Systems programs in the United States.
DNA:SI and ROCIC look forward to an ongoing partnership bringing advanced technology to law enforcement for purposes of criminal investigations. Additional training sessions are being schedule throughout the Southeast Region on a mnthly basis.

Lafayette Parish Sherriff Nuestrom committed to fighting crime with advanced technology

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office can now get quick tests on DNA samples to be used as evidence for petty crimes rather than only for major crimes.
It has signed on with a private company in Burlington, N.C., for a system called LODIS, or Local DNA Index system.
Each patrol officer is trained to identify and collect samples, and DNA:SI Labs will create an online database for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office.
Lt. Allen Venable, with Metro Forensics for the city and parish, says the idea is to catch and identify petty offenders before they evolve into serious criminals.
DNA:SI Labs developed the program with the Palm Bay Police Department in Florida.
Palm Bay police Maj. John Blackledge says it's done more than expected.

DNA:SI Labs presents at ROCIC Homicide Investigators training

DNA:SI Labs presented touch/contact DNA collection methods and Local DNA Index Systems at the recent Regoional Organized Crime Information Center Homicide Invesigator Training Seminar in Charleston, WV, held 10/19-21/2009. ROCIC is one of six NIJ funded RISS - Regional Information Sharing Systems programs in the United States.
DNA:SI and ROCIC look forward to an ongoing parteniship bringing advanced technology to law enforcement for purposes of criminal investigations. DNA:SI will provided an additional training seesion for ROCIC members on January 27, 2010 at ROCIC headquarters in Nashville, TN.

LODIS featured on IACPtv

DNA:SI Labs featured on IACPtv and at the recent International Association of Police Chiefs meeting in Denver, CO. http://www.theiacp.org/About/PressCenter/tabid/81/Default.aspx
Carol Henderson of the Forensic Science Technology Center of Excellence and ncstc.org discusses the importance of forensic science in modern day policing and features DNA:SI Lab's LODIS (Local DNA Index System) project with the Palm Bay, FL Police Department.

DNA:SI Labs Now on Twitter

Follow DNA:SI Labs and developments in LODIS -Local DNA Index System project on Twitter.com/DNASI

Danus Promoted to Technical Leader

Mark Danus, MSFS has been promoted to Technical Leader of the forensic testing laboratory effective July 1, 2009. Mark joined the laboratory in June of 2008 as the Manager of Laboratory Operations. Within his first six months with the lab, Mr. Danus was awarded his Masters Degree in Forensic Science from Towson University. Mark has nine years of experience in the field of genetic testing, including five years in the field of forensic DNA analysis. He has been qualified as a forensic expert in the fields of STR analysis and serology in the State of Maryland. Mr. Danus is also an active member in the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists.

DNA:SI Labs would like to thank Ms. Julie Golden for all her work during her time as the Technical Leader. Ms. Golden was appointed DNA Technical Leader of the ASCLD/LAB accredited laboratory in Burlington, NC in January 2008. She will continue to contribute her expertise as a consultant.

DNA:SI Labs Appoints Laboratory Director

Jodine A. Zane, MSFS was appointed Laboratory Director of DNA:SI Labs in Burlington, North Carolina. Ms. Zane was promoted after coming to DNA:SI in September, 2008 as a Senior Forensic Analyst and LODIS (Local DNA Index System) Manager. She came to DNA:SI Labs with 12 years of experience in forensic DNA laboratories affiliated with Maryland law enforcement agencies. Ms. Zane’s previous experience includes positions as a forensic DNA analyst, CODIS Administrator, and DNA Database Supervisor of the Maryland State Police Forensic Services Division.
Ms. Zanes expertise gives DNA:SI Labs LODIS clients added value in management at the Director level.
Ms. Zane is an active member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists; and is an ASCLD/LAB inspector and a qualified forensic DNA auditor.
DNA:SI Labs is an ASCLD/LAB accredited forensic DNA laboratory.