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Message from the Director
Greetings! I am excited about our newsletter. This is another example of our
Department moving forward. I have always supported the concept of one
laboratory in 11 locations for ADFS and this type of communication is
imperative to that concept. Kudos to Holli Baker for taking on this project,
especially during audit preparations!
ASCLD-LAB is upon us and I am eagerly anticipating our re-accreditation.
Thanks to everyone for the hard work performed in preparation for this
important audit.
ASAFS is still fresh on my mind. Lillie and her fellow “pirates” obviously spent a
lot of time in preparation and are to be congratulated on a job well done! I
thought our educational opportunities were well prepared and received.
Thanks to Dale, Jack, Jimmy and Faron for their contributions.
Inside This Issue
1 Message from the Director
2 2007 ASAFS Awards
3 2007 Laboratory of the Year
4 Forensic Discipline Profile
6 News from State Personnel
6 WeSave is Here
7 HR Corner
8 Fourth of July Recipe
Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
Employee Newsletter
VO LUM E 1 IS SU E 1
June 20, 2008
I am in the preliminary phases of negotiation with Auburn University concerning the new Headquarters and Auburn
Laboratory site. Preparations are underway concerning inclusion on the Auburn Board of Trustees calendar June 26-
27,
2008 for consideration of our new buildings.
As the Auburn project progresses, I will continue negotiations with South
Alabama concerning available space for our Mobile project.
The Huntsville project is moving forward with the architect
involved. Fund acquisition is a priority in the next year for Florence, Tuscaloosa and Hoover phase II building projects.
The 2008 Legislative Session was a mixed bag again this year.
We were able to negotiate an ADFS acceptable bill
concerning DUI ignition interlock devices, but our DNA fee increase bill got stuck on the regular House calendar.
The bill
came out of committee, as it did in 2007, but got held up in a situation concerning all new court fee increase bills.
I will
again move forward on the fee increase bill in 2009.
I will also attempt to introduce a post conviction DNA testing bill with
respect to those already convicted of a capital offense.
The latest news co
ncerning the 2009 General Fund budget is that cuts will now be across the board, equally divided
among every agency. Originally some agencies would have had deeper cuts, while others would be level funded.
When
the final 09 budget is announced, I will inform you of how it will affect the Department.
The Department has 220 employees (the most in our history). I contemplate 4-
5 more hires in the next year, when and if
funds are available.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of the Department and its Mission.
I enjoy working with you everyday as we provide a
vital service to our “bosses”, the citizens
of this great state and country.
They deserve nothing less than our best efforts
focused in a quest for the truth.
Mike