FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4-10-2020
ASCLD Recognizes Laboratories for Superior Operations
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) announced fourteen forensic laboratories as recipients of the Foresight Maximus Award, a distinction recognizing the top performing forensic laboratories in the world based on Foresight business metrics.
Started in 2007 by a cooperative agreement between the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics and the National Institute of Justice, the Foresight program is a business-guided, self-evaluation of forensic science laboratories, which began with local, regional, state, and national agencies in North America. Over the years, the program has expanded to include several laboratories in Europe. Economics, accounting, finance, and forensic faculty from WVU provide assistance, guidance, and analysis. The process involves standardizing definitions for metrics to evaluate work processes, linking financial information to work tasks, and functions. The program has grown over time and its success had led to numerous journal publications, countless laboratory efficiency improvements across the U.S. and a supplementary program with funding by the Laura and John Arnold foundation to examine the interface between Foresight metrics and Laboratory Information Management Systems. Based on the success of the program and the gains seen by forensic laboratories, ASCLD has sought to begin recognizing peak performing laboratories at its Annual Symposium.
The 2020 Foresight Maximus award was presented to participant laboratories operating at 90% or better of peak efficiency.
“ASCLD is proud to partner with project FORESIGHT creators to recognize top performing forensic laboratories,” commented ASCLD President Brooke Arnone. “These high performing laboratories have improved efficiency and productivity while creating transparency and accountability for their stakeholders and customers. Citizens, customers, and stakeholders that provide funding for laboratories should be very proud of the work that has been done.”
The following forensic laboratories are 2020 Foresight Maximus award winners:
- Acadiana Crime Lab, New Iberia, LA
- Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, AR
- Bexar County Criminal Investigation Laboratory, San Antonio, TX
- Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Chandler Police Department Forensic Service Section, Chandler, AZ
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte, NC
- City of Tulsa Police Department Forensic Laboratory, Tulsa, OK
- Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory, Denver, CO
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement Laboratory System (6 Labs), Tallahassee, FL
- Fort Worth Police Crime Laboratory Fort Worth, TX
- Fort Worth Police Department – Digital Forensic Lab, Fort Worth, TX
- Idaho State Police, Meridian, ID
- Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory, Andover, MN
- Utah Department of Public Safety Bureau of Forensic Services, Taylorsville, UT
About ASCLD: 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. Founded in 1974, 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.
1 FORESIGHT: A Business Approach to Improving Forensic Science Services, Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal Volume 1, Issue 2, 2009, Max M. Houck, Richard A. Riley, Paul J. Speaker, & Tom S. Witt, pages 85-95.
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