Transformational forensics is a concept in which there is a commitment on the part of forensic science laboratories to collaborate with clients and stakeholders to identify needed change and creating a vision to guide that change so that our communities can become safer places for all to have an opportunity to reach their potential. With respect to gun-related crime, the chief need for the investigators is to have reliable, comprehensive, and timely intelligence with respect to the shooting activity that is occurring in the streets, an activity that is best determined using forensics.
This Justice Clearinghouse webinar will speak about enlarging the box for the forensic examination of firearm-related evidence to provide investigators with relevant shooting intelligence within 24 to 72 hours after an incident. When minds and wills are committed to seeing a change done, there are ample examples of this being accomplished in ways that have allowed for investigators to remove active shooters off the streets while preserving the integrity of the evidence. While it is understood that quality cannot be rushed, it also has to be understood that for an investigator, the best results are useless if they don’t arrive in time to assist in the investigation.
The webinar will focus on three primary aspects:
- A further definition of transformational forensics,
- Various strategies, and
- Examples of successful implementations.
With the success that has been designed and accomplished in various contexts, accredited and non-accredited, there is no excuse not to explore the potential that this strategy offers.
Presenters:
Rick Wyant has been a forensic scientist since 1995 and is currently the supervisor for the firearm and toolmark section for the Seattle Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division. In 2007, a mutual agreement was reached to allow usage of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) system in the facility from local police agencies. With a dedicated NIBIN technician for the area and increased support from ATF, the crime laboratory has demonstrated significant success with NIBIN in the region by maintaining rapid entry and lead notification to surrounding police agencies.
Ron Nichols, of Nichols Forensic Science Consulting, has more than 25 years of experience as a firearm and toolmark examiner at the local and federal levels in accredited laboratories. He is widely published, with a number of his publications routinely referenced in published court decisions with respect to Daubert and Frye evidentiary hearings. He has testified in more than 100 criminal cases and evidentiary hearings involving firearm and toolmark evidence at the state and federal levels.
He is internationally recognized as one of the leading experts in communicating the scientific foundations of the firearm and toolmark discipline to both technical and lay audiences, providing training and consultation nationally and internationally, including on behalf of the United Nations. He brings more than 15 years of experience developing training curricula, modules, and workshops and providing training in various national and international venues for new and experienced examiners and technicians.
With his expertise and training in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020, he was one of the primary architects of the successful redesign of a nationwide ballistic information network. His primary area of focus was on the implementation of more timely forensic-based strategies while remaining within accreditation guidelines.