FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5-17-2022
GARNER, NC: The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) announced the 2022 Forensic Research Committee (FRC) Laboratories and Educators Alliance Program (LEAP) Collaboration Award to the NY State Police Crime Laboratory System and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Ray Wickenheiser, Director of the NY State Crime Laboratory System received the award on behalf of the NY State Crime Laboratory System. Dr. Ashley Hall received the award on behalf of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Their collaborative research project was titled: Wild and Domesticated Touch DNA. Through this successful partnership, they have made multiple presentations at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Symposium on Human Identification. Additionally, they have published their results in the journal Forensic Science International: Synergy.
About the ASCLD Forensic Research Committee Laboratories and Educators Alliance Program (LEAP) Collaboration Award: The goal of the Forensic Research Committee LEAP Collaboration Award is to recognize an outstanding partnership between LEAP participating academic and operational forensic laboratories. The award is open to scientists from all disciplines such as Bio/DNA, drug chemistry, toxicology, fingerprints, questioned documents, trace/microscopy, firearms/toolmarks, and digital/multimedia sciences in LEAP participating operational and academic forensic laboratories.
About LEAP: The goal of the Laboratories and Educators Alliance Program (LEAP) is to facilitate collaborative research between academia and forensic science laboratories. This joint effort between the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) and the Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE) identifies forensic science needs and provides a platform for laboratories, researchers, and students to seek projects aligning with their mutual research capabilities.
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.
