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ANNUAL REPORT
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CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS REPORT 2000 Crime Laboratory Director’s Annual Report Annual Report from the Crime Laboratory Director Year 2000 Like many organizations, the crime laboratory began the year by dodging the Year 2000 computer bug. As it turned out, our Y2K bug consisted of having to modify the computer network software to accept case numbers above 9,999. During the year 2000 our workload exceeded the 10,000 case benchmark, necessitating an extra field in the database. The staff handled the increased caseload with aplomb because we continued the philosophy of leveraging analyst knowledge with technological muscle. The following is an outline of how we have introduced new technology into each of the crime laboratory sections. With strong financial support from Hamilton County, the laboratory has been able to purchase, or plan for, new equipment to bring all disciplines up to national, if not international, standards. These changes are especially evident in the DNA section. Recent media exposure has spotlighted several investigations that benefited from the hard work of this section. By analyzing old, unsolved cases and entering the DNA profiles in the CODIS database, Joan Burke and Amy Harlukowicz have provided leads where none existed before. In fact, our organization was the first, and presently still the only, local crime lab with a direct computer link to the State CODIS database. This success comes not overnight, but from years of effort to piece together the analytical equipment, the computer network and the knowledge to operate it. This was not a singular effort but one that our facility coordinated with the Ohio BCI crime laboratory, the FBI, and the National Institute of Justice. The potential for similar success exists within the Firearms Section with the conversion from "Drugfire" to "NIBIN." These are databases of cartridge images used by the nine crime laboratories in Ohio that perform firearms examinations. The NIBIN network will include additional states as it expands. By comparing cartridges from local crimes to the database, it is possible to link related cases, or in some situations, identify the gun used to fire the cartridges. This is especially useful in drive-by shootings or any crimes involving automatic handguns. The success of such a system depends on entering as many cases as possible. Unfortunately, the limiting factor is not technology, but personnel. Bill Schrand and Mike Lehnhoff have their hands full already meeting their normal job responsibilities. Cross-training Brian Scowden from the Drug Section may provide an opportunity to develop the database, however, it will be difficult to meet the needs of the program without a full-time technician. In addition to his firearms responsibilities, Mike Lehnhoff has continued his cross training in questioned documents under Dick Shipp. Additionally, Mike has arranged for the purchase of special digital imaging equipment to replace obsolete instrumentation. In the future, we expect to augment this equipment with accessories for Raman spectroscopy and video microscopy. This will increase our capability to differentiate inks and detect altered documents. This capability proved important during examinations of threatening notes recovered from schools after the recent attention given to school shootings. The Arson/Trace Evidence Examination section has benefited the most from recent acquisitions. A digital imaging system now is in place to serve the needs of the entire laboratory not just the trace section. Soon a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) will be installed for the sole use of Mike Trimpe in fire investigations. This is a major advance in our support to the Special County Arson Taskforce. It is an indication of Mike’s leadership in the forensic community as he helped establish GC-MS as the analytical method of choice. His membership in the Technical Working Group for Fire and EXplosions (TWGFEX), as well as his active participation in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences has established him as a nationally recognized expert. Another major improvement to the section is the upgraded energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometer system designed for better gunshot residue (GSR) detection. This new equipment will help reduce the time needed to process cases when there is some question as to who fired a gun. With the help of EKU intern Mat Wyatt, Mike also recently completed the first stage of a major research project involving the analysis of pyrotechnic residues for particles chemically similar to GSR. This has resulted in international inquiries for information. As in all the laboratory sections, instruments do not examine evidence, analysts examine evidence. Consequently, Mike has spent a significant amount of time cross training Don Proctor in arson and Tracey Rauch in trace examinations. When they are able to get away from their duties in the Drug Section, they assist Mike in his work. The workload in the section, however, requires that serious consideration be given to authorizing a second trace evidence examiner.The busiest section of the laboratory remains the Drug Analysis Section headed by Brian Scowden. Installation of a second GC-MS unit helped modernize the section and hiring Tony Ferchau brought it up to full strength. Consequently the Section has been able to meet the requirements of Hamilton County’s Rapid Indictment Program. The Section also responded to increasing reports of clandestine drug lab activity by developing the skills necessary to identify chemicals, equipment, and procedures the "cookers" use. The Section is also one of only two in the state of Ohio assisting DEA with the collection of drug abuse statistics as part of the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS). This information is used at the national level for the formulation of drug policies.This report has touched on just a few of the projects in progress. Clearly the laboratory is well positioned for continued success into the new millenium. Old equipment has now been replaced, and new instrumentation is being integrated into the analytical process. Training remains a priority for the laboratory to insure that shiny new hardware will actually produce information the court needs to determine guilt or innocence.
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