THE EXAMINER New Ethics Workshop Available ................. 2 Message from the Chief .................. 3 Crime Lab News ....................... 4 - 5 Service Awards .................... 6-7 Staff Accomplishments ... 7 Kudos ......................... 8 Recent Events & Photos.................. 9-12 Employee Event Calendar.................. 13 harriscountytx.gov/ifs Spring 2014 Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 1 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Science. Service. Integrity. The Forensic Anthropology Division has secured several grants allowing the division to continue its work to identify unidentified cold case decedents. Using dedicated grant funding, the division audits cold case files and exhumes cases with limited metadata, but with strong potential for identification. With funds provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Sharon Derrick, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, directed the exhumation in summer 2013 and performed the skeletal analysis of ML82-4029. This led to a recent positive identification of a 15-year-old female who had been missing from Connecticut for more than 30 years. The Forensic Anthropology Division recently received its second NIJ grant award under the solicitation titled: Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing. Through these grant awards, Deborrah Pinto, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, is able to dedicate her time to auditing approximately 350 unidentified decedent files maintained by the Institute, reviewing medical and police records, updating entries in national databanks, and submitting digitized fingerprints to various local, state and national agencies. She is also orchestrating the exhumation and performing the skeletal analysis of several decedents. All of the Institute’s unidentified decedent cases remain active, regardless of the age of the case, until a positive identification is made. Every potential lead is pursued. Identifying a deceased individual and returning a loved one to their family is a rewarding experience, which compels the Forensic Anthropology Division to continue in its search for identifications. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Funds National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Grant Funds Successful Identifications Made p Deborrah Pinto, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, assists with the exhumation of unidentified remains. IN THIS ISSUE... Since 2011, the receipt of NIJ grant funds has allowed the Institute to perform 31 exhumations of unidentified remains, which has led to 22 positively identified cold cases.
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THE EXAMINER
New Ethics Workshop Available .................2 Message from the Chief ..................3 Crime Lab News .......................4 - 5 Service Awards ....................6-7 Staff Accomplishments ...7 Kudos .........................8 Recent Events & Photos ..................9-12 Employee Event Calendar ..................13
harriscountytx.gov/ifs Spring 2014 Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 1
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Science. Service. Integrity.
The Forensic Anthropology Division has secured several grants allowing the division to continue its work to identify unidentified cold case decedents. Using dedicated grant funding, the division audits cold case files and exhumes cases with limited metadata, but with strong potential for identification.
With funds provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Sharon Derrick, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, directed the exhumation in summer 2013 and performed the skeletal analysis of ML82-4029. This led to a recent positive identification of a 15-year-old female who had been missing from Connecticut for more than 30 years.
The Forensic Anthropology Division recently received its second NIJ grant award under the solicitation titled: Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing.
Through these grant awards, Deborrah Pinto, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, is able to dedicate her time to auditing approximately 350 unidentified decedent files maintained by the Institute, reviewing medical and police records, updating entries in national databanks, and submitting digitized fingerprints to various local, state and national agencies. She is also orchestrating the exhumation and performing the skeletal analysis of several decedents.
All of the Institute’s unidentified decedent cases remain active, regardless of the age of the case, until a positive identification is made. Every potential lead is pursued. Identifying a deceased individual and returning a loved one to their family is a rewarding experience, which compels the Forensic Anthropology Division to continue in its search for identifications.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Funds
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Grant Funds
Successful Identifications Made
pDeborrah Pinto, Ph.D., forensic anthropologist, assists with the exhumation of unidentified remains.
IN THIS ISSUE...
Since 2011, the receipt of NIJ grant funds has allowed the Institute to perform 31 exhumations of unidentified remains, which has led to 22 positively identified cold cases.
Now Available: New Ethics Workshop
Editorial Staff Roster
Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Editor in Chief
Mary E. Daniels, MBA Directing Editor
Tricia A. Bentley, M.A. Managing Editor
Editors William Davis, Ph.D. Amanda K. Fields, B.S. Pramod Gumpeni, M.D. Kathryn Haden-Pinneri, M.D. Roger Kahn, Ph.D. Michal L. Pierce, M.S. Lydia Purcell, B.S. Warren C. Samms, Ph.D. Katie Welch, M.S. Dwayne Wolf, M.D., Ph.D.
Newsletter Contributors Administration – Monica Joseph Anthropology – Jennifer Love, Ph.D. Drug Chemistry – Kyle Vircks, M.S. Firearms – Carey Muhlhauser, M.S. Forensic Emergency Management – Jason Wiersema, Ph.D. Forensic Evidence – Abel Santillan, BBA Forensic Genetics – Sarah Nelson, M.S. Forensic Imaging – Dustin Hatfield, B.A. Forensic Investigations – Roxanne Mena, M.S., Vanessa Trevino, B.S. Forensic Toxicology – Jeff Walterscheid, Ph.D. Pathology/Histology/Morgue – Andrea Walter Quality – Dimika Cavalier, MFS Trace Evidence – Kristina McNerney, M.S.
Photography Joe Anderson Desmond Bostick Dustin Hatfield, B.A. Andre Santos Ashley Wright
Graphic Design Susan Donaldson, BFA
harriscountytx.gov/ifs The Examiner Spring 2014 Newsletter Volume 15, Issue 1
Issue Date: May 30, 2014
A unique ethics training program is now available for each section of the Institute’s Crime Laboratory. Together, Micky Pierce, M.S., F-ABC, director, Quality Management, and Roger Kahn, Ph.D., director, Crime Laboratory, lead interactive sessions that highlight ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered in the workplace. If you are interested in bringing an Ethics Workshop to your staff, contact Ms. Pierce at ext. 6915 or [email protected].
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has achieved continued, full accreditation by the National Association of Medical Examiners® (NAME). NAME-accredited offices represent the highest quality of death investigation systems.
National Association of Medical Examiners®
Congratulations to the Medical Examiner Service
for Continued Accreditation!
2 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Spring 2014 Newsletter | The Examiner
The Examiner | Spring 2014 Newsletter | Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas 3
In this issue of The Examiner, I am proud to recognize the many years of service that so many of our staff have devoted to the Institute and to Harris County. Of the 212 employees now at the Institute, 45 (approximately 20 percent of our staff) have been with us for at least 10 years; seven employees have been with us for at least 20 years; and Carol
Andrews, MBA, systems administrator, the employee with the longest tenure, has been with the Institute for 25 years. Cynthia Young, B.S., quality assurance manager, will celebrate her 25 years this summer. Thank you Carol, Cynthia, and all of you, for your hard work, your dedication and your kind spirit. Working alongside so many inspiring individuals is an honor and a privilege I do not take for granted.
I attribute our remarkable retention, in part, to our investment in the potential of our staff. We are committed to providing training and educational opportunities. The May Lunch & Learn Series is a prime example. These opportunities allow us not only to learn from each other, but also to appreciate how our individual contributions, working together, benefit the community.
The Institute’s leadership is encouraged to provide regular and constructive feedback to guide, mentor and coach employees. As part of this effort, managers evaluate and direct their staff to trainings that help them develop as professionals. Many of our employees have acquired new skill sets in multiple areas of interest, and have created interesting, multi-faceted careers within the Institute. Our dedication to training and professional development extends to the future workforce of scientists and forensic professionals. As we welcome our student interns for the summer, I encourage you to share some of your time and insight with these students; invest in their potential; challenge them to think critically and work hard; and encourage them to cultivate a life-long approach to personal and professional development.
Many thanks to all of you. Have a great summer!
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF
Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
HARRIS COUNTY institute of forensic sciences
s c I E N c E.
s E R v I c E.
I N T E g R I T y.
Share Your News!Have a story idea for the newsletter or photos you would like to share with your fellow team members? Submit your newsletter ideas and photos to: [email protected]
■ The Business Office has a new name! The Business Office is now named “Administrative Services” to more accurately reflect the varied services and activities performed for the Institute. We all should remember to refer to the office by its new name, especially when speaking to outside individuals.
A reception will be held Wednesday, June 25th, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the 1st Floor Classroom to formally welcome the interns to the Institute. Save the date!
Announcement Board
■ Welcome Summer Interns!
4 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Spring 2014 Newsletter | The Examiner
Crime Lab News
In February, the Firearms Laboratory successfully implemented a new protocol for imaging and measuring intact evidence bullets and test-fired bullets from submitted firearms. Firearms examiners are now employing a Motic stereomicroscope and specialized software to capture four images of each bullet – the land engraved area (LEA), the groove engraved area (GEA), the base, and the direction of twist.
The Motic Images Plus 2.0 software allows high quality bullet images to be captured for both evidence and test fired bullets, as well as annotated measurements to be added to those images. Once the images are captured, the Motic Images Plus 2.0 software is used to measure the bullet’s LEA width, GEA width, and base
diameter. From these measurements, the number of LEAs and GEAs of the bullet are calculated.
Previously, a digital camera was used to capture a general image of evidence bullets, but no image was captured of test fired bullets.
These annotated images are maintained in the case file and serve as a valuable reference in court. Most importantly, these annotated images provide the technical reviewer with reviewable data and a means of verifying the number of LEAs and GEAs and the direction of twist of a bullet, therefore providing an additional layer of quality assurance.
Firearms Laboratory Improves Imaging Analysis and Quality
In March 2014, the Institute’s Firearms Laboratory marked its one-year anniversary as part of the Institute family and one of five distinct forensic disciplines within the Crime Laboratory.
pPictured are the images captured and measurements (see green circles) calculated with the Motic stereomicroscope and the Motic Images Plus 2.0 software.
LEA Measurement
L1 Length: 0.057353 inch
GEA Measurement
L1 Length: 0.125987 inch
L1 Length: 0.345189 inch
Base Diameter Direction of Twist
The Examiner | Spring 2014 Newsletter | Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas 5
Visit the NEW Evidence Submission & Testing
web page at: harriscountytx.gov/ifs/evidence.aspx
Recent updates to the Institute’s website and the new evidence submission process at the Forensic Genetics Laboratory (FGL) have helped streamline the evidence submission process for law enforcement agencies.
New Web FeaturesThe Institute’s website now features a dedicated page for Evidence Submission & Testing providing detailed criteria for evidence submission specific to each type of evidence. In addition, an electronic submission form is available on the page for officers to download and complete electronically as they are preparing their evidence for submission.
Evidence Receiving at the FGL The Evidence Section recently began accepting evidence from law enforcement personnel at the FGL.
During business hours, officers enter the lab from the main door at the rear of the McGovern campus after speaking with Genetics Lab staff over an intercom. A video camera at the door allows personnel to see and admit the officer without an escort. Evidence Section personnel are assigned to the FGL to assist officers with evidence submission and return.
Afterhours, officers use a separate entrance that bypasses the FGL lobby and place incoming evidence and paperwork in a built-in secure refrigerator in the FGL evidence receiving area. Both the officers and Evidence Section team report that the afterhours, self-service system works very well.
2-Methylmethamphetamine
3-Methylmethamphetamine
AMT
pKyle E. Vircks, M.S., forensic chemist II, demonstrates how minute chemical structure changes, such as the ones illustrated for AMT and 5-IT (right), will soon be identified more clearly and rapidly with the addition of the Drug Chemistry Lab’s infrared detector (above).
The Drug Chemistry Laboratory Works to Improve Drug DetectionThe Institute’s Drug Chemistry Laboratory will soon have the capability to more clearly and rapidly detect minute distinctions in the chemical structures in drugs. With the addition of a gas-phase infrared detector, which is coupled to one of the lab’s existing gas chromatographs, analysts are able to collect highly precise infrared spectral data from a sample in gaseous form after being separated by the gas chromatograph.
While the instrument is currently in the validation phase, once validated, it will allow minute structural differences in various drugs to be detected. Such structural differences can be as simple as changing the position of one atom on a molecule. With current laboratory instrumentation, such as GC/MS, these distinctions are difficult to make. This becomes a problem when one positional isomer is controlled while another remains uncontrolled, such as alpha-methyltyptamine (AMT) and 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole (5-IT).
Such sensitive detection in the structure of drugs will allow the laboratory to more accurately report identified drugs to the Institute's customers when isomeric compounds are present.
pSherri Johnson, forensic evidence technician, assists a law enforcement officer submitting DNA evidence at the Forensic Genetics Laboratory.
Evidence Submission Streamlined
The Evidence Section receives an average of 343 DNA cases consisting of 846 submissions each month.
5-IT
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Linda Alvarado, B.S. Toxicologist II Specialist
Charlotte Smith-Baker, Ph.D. Toxicologist III
Michael R. Condron II, M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner
\
Mounir Moudouni, M.S. DNA Analyst II
Angela Salazar Legal-Executive Assistant
Christy Smejkal, M.S. DNA Analyst II
Glenn Sandberg, M.D. Forensic Neuropathologist
Kacie Waiters, B.S. DNA Analyst II
Harris County Employee Service Awards
10 YEARS OF SERVICE
5 YEARS OF SERVICE
Mary L. Anzalone, M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner
Reginald Chukwuocha, Ph.D. DNA Analyst III
Matthew Doyle, BSN, R.N. Supervisory Forensic Nurse/ Physician Assistant Investigator
Sara Nunez Doyle, M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner
Meagan Ocanas, B.S. Toxicologist II
Nikia S. Redmond, MSPS Serology Manager
Shaheen Rizvi, M.S. Forensic Evidence Technician
Andrea Walter Pathology Administrative Coordinator
Desmond Bostick Forensic Photographer
Jose Guzman Autopsy Assistant
Joe Hughes Autopsy Assistant
Donna Payton Administrative Assistant
Andre Santos Forensic Photographer
15 YEARS OF SERVICE
The Examiner | Spring 2014 Newsletter | Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas 7
pWendi Phelps, M.S., DNA analyst II, and her husband, Trey, welcomed their baby girl, Emerson Hope, into the world on February 28, 2014.
pBaby Jonah Salazar was born on September 26, 2013, to Morgan Salazar, daughter of Angela Salazar, legal-executive assistant.
pDanielle Mock, contract serologist, was wed to Cody Aycock on March 22, 2014.
A crochet circle, named IFS Crochet Care (IFSCC), is currently being formed by Mary Daniels and Tricia Bentley. As the first group project, IFSCC will be making an afghan to donate to a nursing home for Christmas. The target date for completion of the afghan is mid-November in order to display the project prior to donating.
You can participate in two ways:1. If you crochet, join the crochet circle.2. If you do not crochet but would like to be part
of this community outreach effort, you can do so by contributing yarn (remnants or skeins are welcome).
Beginning Monday, June 2, the group will meet three times a week during the lunch hour to work on the project. Time and location are to be determined. To view and learn about the selected pattern in advance, visit: indielovely.com/2014/01/crochet-hexagon-pattern.html.
Contact Mary or Tricia for more information.
Community Outreach Project: Calling all Crocheters!
25 YEARS OF SERVICE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Harris County Employee Service Awards (cont.)
Staff AccomplishmentsStaff Accomplishments
tStacy Drake, Ph.D., MPH, R.N., forensic nurse practitioner, recently and successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation titled: “The Impact of an Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Competency Levels for Students Enrolled in a Forensic Nursing Science Course.” She has earned her doctorate from the College of Nursing at Texas Woman’s University–Houston Center.
tHope Holloway, histology technician II, recently received her Histotechnician Certification.
8 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Spring 2014 Newsletter | The Examiner
ABCCertified
Three of the Institute’s DNA analysts recently passed their American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification exam and are now Fellows in Molecular Biology:
Kelly Anders, M.S. DNA Analyst III
Cassandra Campelli, M.S. DNA Analyst III
Sarah Kelley, B.S. DNA Analyst III
Three of the Institute’s drug chemists recently passed their ABC certification exam and are now Affiliates of the American Board of Criminalistics:
Brittany Disiere, M.S. Forensic Chemist III
Kyle E. Vircks, M.S. Forensic Chemist II Specialist
Jesse M. Zavala, M.S. Forensic Chemist III
Deborrah C. Pinto, Ph.D. Forensic Anthropologist
pThank you for your help today. I am so inspired by what you do, and I hope you know that you do make a difference. Having a person missing and never having closure is a sick feeling. To have people identify people brings closure. It is a sad ending most times, but it keeps people from never knowing and at times I think that is harder. If you don’t have closure you never start a healing process.So again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me.
Excerpt of a thank you letter from a family member
Kudos
Roger Kahn, Ph.D., F-ABC Director, Crime Laboratory
p I would like to express to you my personal appreciation, as well as that of ASCLD/LAB, for Dr. Kahn’s participation and to let you know that he was an excellent representative of both the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and ASCLD/LAB.
Richard S. Frank Staff Assessor, ASCLD/LAB
Roger P. Milton, Jr., M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner
p I have had many opportunities to work with Dr. Milton, and I have continuously been impressed with his congenial manner and his high level of professionalism. Dr. Milton did a superb job in front of the jury. While his education and training is readily apparent, he is able to convey the medical terms in a manner that ordinary people can understand. Katherine McDaniel
Chief, 232nd District Court Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Jason L. Schroeder, M.S., MBA Manager, Trace Evidence Laboratory
pThank you for your flexibility and responsiveness in showing up and testifying. I know the whole process can be chaotic and probably pretty frustrating (especially on your day off), but you got here quick, your testimony was thorough and excellent, and I really appreciate it.
Coby R. Leslie Assistant District Attorney, 185th District Court Harris County District Attorney’s Office
The Examiner | Spring 2014 Newsletter | Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas 9
International Visitors - February 12, 2014qScientists from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan visited the Institute on Wednesday, February 12th. During their visit, they met with Luis A. Sanchez, M.D., executive director and chief medical examiner, and Roger Kahn, Ph.D., director, Crime Laboratory. In addition, they toured various labs and areas of the office and had an opportunity to talk with members of the Institute’s management and scientific teams.
qThe Post AAFS Mixer was held Wednesday, February 26th in recognition of the AAFS presenters and support staff that made it possible for the Institute’s scientists and staff to attend and present at the 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences 66th Annual Scientific Meeting. AAFS posters were displayed around the 1st Floor Classroom during the mixer while the Institute’s scientists presented and discussed their presentations with the staff.
February 26, 2014
10 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Spring 2014 Newsletter | The Examiner
Forensic Genetics Laboratory Open House & Tour April 4, 2014 q An open house and tour
was hosted by the Forensic Genetics Laboratory on Friday, April 4th. The tour provided staff who were hired since the lab’s opening and some special guests an opportunity to learn about the testing and analysis performed by the lab from its managers and staff.
The Examiner | Spring 2014 Newsletter | Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas 11
qThe Institute’s annual Topics in Forensic Sciences Conference was held on Wednesday, April 9th and focused on the post-mortem interval with lectures in trauma and the period of survival, pathology, entomology and anthropology. During the day-long conference, 73 attendees participated in lectures and hands-on learning experiences in entomology and anthropology.
12 Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston, Texas | Spring 2014 Newsletter | The Examiner
Texas Mortuary Operations Response Team Structure Development Meeting
April 17, 2014
qOn Thursday, April 14th for the first time in more than a decade, Chief Medical Examiners from across the state of Texas and several private pathology services, totaling 23 individuals, came together to discuss the development of a statewide mass fatality response system. The goal of the one-day meeting was to introduce the newly developed Texas Mortuary Operations Response Team structure to each of the Chief Medical Examiners in the state, and to gauge each office’s level of interest for participating in the statewide mass fatality incident response system.
MAY 28th - 30th The Crime Victim Services Conference
San Antonio, TXJUNE2nd 2014 Vital Statistics Regional Conference
Galveston, TX
JULY21st - 23rd 2014 Skeletal Trauma and Pathology Short Course
Knoxville, TN 28th - 30th Green Mountain DNA Conference
Burlington, VT
31st - Association of Forensic DNA Aug. 1st Analysis and Administrators Summer Meeting Houston, TX
1885 Old Spanish Trail | Houston, TX 77054 | harriscountytx.gov/ifs
JUNE 9th Are You Ready? Hurricane Preparedness Presentation 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The Forensic Center, 1st Floor Classroom 1885 Old Spanish Trail, 77054 17th Regional Morgue Operations Functional Exercise (Portable Morgue Setup) 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Forensic Center, TMC South Parking Lot (adjacent to HCIFS) 1885 Old Spanish Trail, 77054 18th Harris County New Employee Orientation 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Anderson Clayton Building 1310 Prairie, 2nd Floor, Ste. 230, 77002 19th Harris County Retirement Seminar 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Leon Grayson Community Center 13828 Corpus Christi, 77015
