New examiner/student workshop?

[Jessica Winn]

Hi AFTE!

We are offering many workshops directed towards experienced examiners, but very few directed towards our newer examiners, first time attendees, or students.

We are looking for ideas for workshops for these members or potential members. So, what would you have benefited from when first starting in the field? What would you have liked to have known? Interview skills? Public speaking? Presentation skills? Entry level courtroom skills?

Post your ideas here or better yet, let us know if you have a topic you'd like to present!

[Richard Rotella]

One thing that I think AAFS does well is the Young Forensic Scientist Forum. They do a free workshop talking about all different fields of forensic and topics like courtroom testimony, interview skills, etc. I think something similar would be beneficial. And have a roundtable or panel of people discuss various topics.


Some topics could include: Courtroom Testimony (Defining Sufficient Agreement and the AFTE Theory of ID), How to effectively evaluate subclass, Disagreement (Expected vs. Significant), Lessons Learned in Casework, and Understanding the variables in Distance Determination


Just a thought...

[Jessica Winn]

Richard... I love that idea! I think we could find a group who might be able to do that... any chance you'd be interested?

[Julie Knapp]

Amy, Dan, Adam, Rebecca, and I are doing a intro to courtroom testimony class on Tuesday and will cover some of these topics

[Jessica Winn]

Yes, that team is giving a workshop on testimony for new examiners, which is great.

But I don't want to stop there. I was thinking even broader than testimony so we can have the panel go over other topics as well. Just things that new examiners might want to know. Even how to deal with difficult coworkers or supervisors, or interview skills, or how to get involved in AFTE, or developing your CV, or going back to school. 

Keep the feedback coming.

[Justine Kreso]

A toastmasters workshop might be cool for new examiners!  It was painful in NFEA to do that, but I will forever carry the "um" counter in my head when I do public speaking


(I am not what I'd call qualified to teach that)

[Jill Therriault]

A toastmasters workshop might be cool for new examiners!  It was painful in NFEA to do that, but I will forever carry the "um" counter in my head when I do public speaking

(I am not what I'd call qualified to teach that)

I wonder if we could recruit Mindi Johnson out of retirement to do a Toastmasters class.  As painful as it was at the NFEA, it definitely shaped my public speaking skills for the better.

[Dan Alessio]

Threw this question out to co-workers.  Got this response:  A basic criteria for identification class and/or CMS.

[Skip Richardson]

If given the opportunity, I would love to serve on a panel in a workshop like this. Topics that I would absolutely want to see covered in such a workshop include:


Precision vs. accuracy - finding a balance
Workflow - how to approach scope work (when to take a break, "morning eyes", how to avoid burnout)
Workplace relationships (as previously mentioned)
Being your own cheerleader / coach
Knowing when you've "done enough"
Scope tips and tricks

[Stefanie Watkins]

Tips and tricks for excellent casework documentation and report writing.  I took a "Technical Writing for Criminalists" course when I was brand new that was torture but really good for me!  Even covered the lost art of proper punctuation!  Very helpful!

[Rebecca Learned]

Another topic somewhat similar to what others have mentioned:
-- How to respond to and take criticism at work.


New examiners or trainees can and will make mistakes. Learning how to take the feedback and criticisms in a healthy, respectful, non-personal way from trainers or supervisors or Technical Leaders, etc. can go a long way toward becoming a well rounded examiner as well as building good working relationships with coworkers. And on that note, my feelings won't be hurt if this topic isn't included in a "new examiner" themed workshop. 

[Omar Felix]

This is an outstanding idea! I can go ahead and start putting something together geared to newer examiners. I'm sure I can get some people together to create a full day course covering a bunch of these topics.


I think Skip has volunteered to be my first co-instructor!!! 

[Jessica Winn]

Thank you all! This is great. Keep it coming.

I'm going to take some of this back to my workshop committee and we may be reaching out to some of you very soon!

[Jennifer Floyd]

I'm going to piggyback on Skip.  Knowing when you've done enough, or finding the moment you are confident in an inconclusive result, would be quite helpful for new examiners.  Also something on how to deal with missing something with NIBIN/triage or finding a mistake 6 months to many many years afterward (your own or someone else's).

[Tina Wilson]

Dan O'Kelly's Firearm Specialist Course was one of the trainings I took after only being on for a month and I feel like it helped me tremendously as a new examiner!


That's a week long course but I think something similar crunched down to a full day Sunday would be great for new examiners and students!