Topic: Updated 9/7/07: Eastern Regional Training Seminar

[Kristin Gerber]

The ATF National Laboratory Center (Beltsville, MD) will be hosting the 2007 Eastern Regional Training Seminar.  We have scheduled a two day meeting beginning Thursday, October 11th and ending Friday October 12th, from 8am - 5pm.  The cost will be $30 per day.  You are not required to register for both days.

On Day 1, Greg Klees will be presenting a Daubert workshop, discussing challenges relating to admissibility, elements and moot court issues. Day 2 will be open for anyone to present research and case studies. 

Location:   The National Laboratory Center
6000 Ammendale Road                
Ammendale (Beltsville), Maryland  20705

Time:   8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration:   Early registration is available immediately.  The registration fee is $30.00 per day.  Please fax or email us a completed registration form at the contact information located below. Make check or money orders payable to “Firearms and Toolmark Examiners Eastern Regional Conference.”   Late registration fees will be accepted on October 11th and 12th.  However, we will need prior confirmation and contact information that you will be attending by COB Tuesday, October 9th due to the security procedures required prior to guest arrivals.

Fee includes:       Breakfast, lunch and snacks for each day

Hotel Accommodations:   The Fairfield Inn  (www.marriott.com/waslr)
13700 Baltimore Avenue
Laurel, Maryland 20707 USA
Phone:  1-301-498-8900
            
Group Rate: $119.00/night (+tax) guaranteed until September 26th
Reservations are being held under group name “ATF Annual Training”

If you are interested in presenting or need a registration form, please contact Kristin at kristin.gerber@atf.gov. 

[Jerryp]

On October 11 and 12 2007 the Eastern Regional Training Seminar for Firearm Examiners took place at the ATF Lab in Ammendale MD.  Below is a brief description of the event:

On Thursday Greg Klees of the ATF lab was the instructor for a 1 day workshop on Daubert issues. Greg gave an interactive workshop in which all were required to participate. Greg raised some great points to consider and gave a thorough instruction of the SWGGUN web site  www.swggun.org .

On Friday there were scientific presentations given by examiners from Boston to North Carolina all of which were moderated by Glen Beach.






The first presenter was none other than Jim Hamby. Jim gave a brief talk about training aids available from www.precisionforensictesing.com .




Jim also spoke about the Ruger 10 barrel test. 






The next speaker was Gene Rivera  from North Carolina. Gene spoke about Subclass characteristics discovered in the S&W  SW40VE pistol.






The next speaker was Neil Hopkins from Team Fabrication. His company recently purchased the Emark Company and is producing and servicing all bullet recovery tanks produced by Emark.




Jim Yurgealitis briefly spoke to us before the break about hosting training for serial number restoration classes and a 5 day tool mark class offered at the ATF Lab in Maryland.  For more information visit www.atf.gov .

[Jerryp]

The next speaker was Lauren Claytor from the Virginia Department of Forensic services. Lauren spoke about proficiency test in fracture matching. 







The next speaker was Greg Klees. Greg spoke about 2 cases involving tool marks on bomb components.





The next speaker was Kevin Strock from Armor Forensics. Kevin spoke about the Armor forensics catalogue and the Projectina microscope. I did not get a picture of Kevin but I attached a file photo I have from 2005.




The next speaker was Ann Davis from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science. Ann Spoke about the Determination of an unusual bullet style by X-Ray

[Jerryp]

The next speaker was Jordan Tidrick  of the Virginia Department of Forensic science. Jordan spoke about her extensive bunter marks project.





The Next speaker was Robert Thompson of the ATF lab in Maryland. Robert reported on this testing of the Forensic Buddy bullet recovery system.





The next speaker was Pete Krimski of the Philadelphia Police Department. Pete gave an interesting talk about his climb from street cop to firearm examiner as well as a case study involving an accidental discharge from a Cobray M-11. His power point illustrating the obstacles faced transitioning from the street to the lab was a must see to say the least!






The next speakers were Detective George Foley of the Boston Police department and criminalist Carol Hayes of the NYPD crime lab. They spoke about court testimony related to IBIS.





The next speaker was Peter Diaczuk, Director of the Forensic Training at John Jay  College of  Criminal justice. Peter spoke about Rapid rate shear fracture as a means to identify a bullet hole in synthetic fibers from other perforations when GSR is not applicable.

[Jerryp]

The Last speaker was Walt Dandridge of the ATF Lab in Maryland. Walt spoke about the Beltway Sniper case in Washington DC.





AFTE President Carlo Rosati gave the closing remarks





The host committee chair was Kristin Gerber. Kristin was assisted by Walt Dandridge, Jodi Marsanopoli, Martin Ols, Jim Yurgealitis, Sheila Hopkins, Meghan Miller, Robert Thompson, Bill Hyatt, and Greg Klees and all lead by Glen Beach. The entire host committee deserve a great deal of gratitude from all who attended. This was a great seminar with lots of information; some of the host committee members were not available for the photo.

[Jill Dupre]

Wow!  This regional conference sounded like a must attend 

Will the presenters at this meeting be submitting their information for publication in the AFTE journal or presenting at the 2008 AFTE Seminar? 

[Jerryp]

I certainly hope so Jill. All of the presentations were excellent
(Even George Foley’s    )