About ASCLD
About our Association
Usually pronounced "azz-clad" by those in the forensic sciences, The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) is a nonprofit professional society of crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers dedicated to providing excellence in forensic science through leadership and innovation. The purpose of the organization is to foster professional interests, assist the development of laboratory management principles and techniques; acquire, preserve and disseminate forensic based information; maintain and improve communications among crime laboratory directors; and to promote, encourage and maintain the highest standards of practice in the field.
What We Do
A number of mechanisms exist to allow ASCLD to achieve these goals. The organization has a yearly symposium devoted to providing training in leadership and management techniques. The meeting also offers the membership the opportunity to network with other laboratory directors. The ASCLD website is maintained and monitored with weekly updates that contain current news and business items for our members.
Our History
The ASCLD organization began to take shape in a meeting that occurred in 1973. In the fall of 1973, a small group of some thirty crime laboratory directors, geographically representing the country, met in Quantico, Virginia. Although called there by Clarence Kelly, then Director of the FBI, it was Briggs White, Director of the FBI Laboratory, who, by his desire to bring local laboratories and the FBI Laboratory together, made it all possible. At that meeting, a steering committee under the able chairmanship of Richard Fox, was formed and met in Kansas City in the spring of 1974. A constitution was drafted, and, in the fall of 1974, in Quantico at the first meeting, ASCLD was born. Chairman - Briggs White, FBI; Vice Chairman - Richard Fox, Missouri; Secretary - Atley Peterson, ATF; Treasurer - Larry Howard, Georgia. On February 18, 1976, ASCLD became ASCLD, Inc.
Accreditation
ASCLD is not an accrediting body. Several years ago, a laboratory accreditation board was created within ASCLD to meet the needs of the criminal justice system and eventually incorporated as a separate and distinct non-profit entity. To the confusion of many, its name continues to relect its origins and is known as The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board, or ASCLD/LAB - usually pronounced azz-clad-lab by those in the profession.. You can visit their website at www.ascld-lab.org.
ASCLD Membership
The Society is composed of crime laboratory directors, managers and supervisors from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, China, Costa Rica, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, England, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Sinapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Australia. The membership consists of biologists, chemists, document examiners, physicists, toxicologists, educators, instructors and law enforcement officers whose major function is the management of a crime laboratory.
There are three kinds of membership (regular, retired and academic affiliate) in ASCLD. Regular membership is open to all individuals whose major duties include the management or direction of a crime laboratory, a branch crime laboratory, or a crime laboratory system. Retired membership is open to all individuals who have been regular members in good standing for at least five years, and who are no longer eligible for regular membership for reasons such as retirement, change in responsibilities, or promotion. Academic Affiliate Membership is open to all individuals who are Educators and/or Instructors of Forensic Science currently employed by an institution of Higher Learning or Public Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Membership Information 2007
Membership Applications
Mail Applications to:
ASCLD, Inc.
139K Technology Drive
Garner, NC 27529
Phone: (919) 773-2044
Fax: (919) 773-2602
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