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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - July 2000 Special
Session Recap |
| For those who were able to attend the Special Session of the YFSF in Reno, you will have to agree it was a fun and informative day filled with some fantastic speakers and activities. There were participants from a wide variety of subdisciplines sharing some of their trade secrets and tools needed as we enter our respective fields, and they were so enthusiastic about being there, it was hard not to have a great time. The aspect of this year's session that was most remarkable was the universality of the topics — even if it was a criminalist talking about resumes, the toxicologists in the room found the information just as applicable. An anthropologist testified in the mock trial, but everyone cringed at the brutality because this, too, will be a part of all of our futures. The day started with a welcome and opening remarks from Patricia Manzolillo, a Questioned Documents Examiner for the US Postal Service and the (presently former) chairperson of the YFSF. She kicked things off by introducing Robert Jarzen, Lab Director at the Sacramento County Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, who spoke about expectations in education and the job market from both sides of the fence. Patricia McFeeley, the acting president of the AAFS at the time of the meetings and Assistant Chief Medical Examiner for the state of New Mexico, addressed the importance of certification in the forensic sciences. The favorite return player, Jay Siegel, took a break from Michigan State academics to introduce the proper techniques and nuances of the interview and resume writing. A great big thank you to Jodi Zane and Carrie Weiler for sharing their internship experiences! After lunch, Kathy Taylor, Forensic Anthropol-ogist for King County, WA, allowed everyone a glimpse of her lifework — digging up bones in the Pacific Northwest. To round out the day, attendees were lucky to get a "how-to" (and how not to!) get on the stand confidently and testify from Harry Miles, a private attorney in Massachusetts and the Jurisprudence Section Secretary. A mock trial was held with Mr. Miles and Kenneth Melson, who practices in the United States Attorney's Office in Alexandria, serving it up to Kathy on the stand. There was not a single person who envied her that afternoon! As you can see, the day was packed and so was the room. It was a great turnout, and the YFSF is extremely excited to see this Special Session get better each year. With many participants already lined up for the Session in Seattle, it promises to be an even bigger success. See you in 2001! |
Copyright
© 1999 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |