SWGFAST

[Scott Verbonus]

I was going to ask these questions directly to my supervisor or Pat Wertheim since I know they are both a member of SWGFAST but I decided to ask my questions on the chat board in case other people are interested in the answers as well.

How many members are there?
How many usually come to the meetings?
I know you divide up into groups, how big is each group?
Are decisions made directly from these groups or do all members vote on all issues?
Is this voting done throughout the week?
Do a certain number of members need to be present to vote?

Is SWGFAST looking at trying to establish a practitioner error rate for our industry?

[Pat A. Wertheim]

I was going to ask these questions directly to my supervisor or Pat Wertheim since I know they are both a member of SWGFAST but I decided to ask my questions on the chat board in case other people are interested in the answers as well.

Ah. Okay, Scott, Pat here.

Q: How many members are there?
A: The number is capped at 40, although we usually run between 35 and 38. We just elected new members and currently stand at 38.

Q: How many usually come to the meetings?
A: low to mid 30's

Q: I know you divide up into groups, how big is each group?
A: Sometimes 3 subcommittees of 8 to 15, sometimes two subcommittees of 12 to 18. Each SWGFAST member selects which subcommittee he or she wants to serve on.

Q: Are decisions made directly from these groups or do all members vote on all issues?
Q: Each subcommittee works on assigned topics (selected and assigned by the membership as a whole). Once a subcommittee has agreed on a draft document, the membership as a whole reviews the work and usually tweeks it. Then the membership as a whole approves it as a "draft for comment." Once we have received comments, discussed them, and modified the document as we feel best, then we approve the final version. Once approved, it stands for five years and then automatically comes up for review and rewrite. A document can be reopened sooner by a 2/3 vote of the group as a whole.

Q: Is this voting done throughout the week?
A: as needed

Q: Do a certain number of members need to be present to vote?
A: Different votes require either a simple majority or a 2/3 majority. Some are votes of the "membership" while others are votes of a quorum present.

Q: Is SWGFAST looking at trying to establish a practitioner error rate for our industry?
Q: SWGFAST itself is not, but there are several research projects going on now that will be published in coming months in the JFI. But several caveats: An overall practitioner error rate might not be appropriate to apply to individual practitioners. Also, an error rate determined by any study will have flaws and weaknesses that make it inadvisable to claim it would be accurate to apply it to case work. Also, as I understand statistics, no such error rate could appropriately be used as a predictor of error in any specific individualization.

I'll add another question: How are new members selected for SWGFAST?
A: Interested people can nominate themselves or have any SWGFAST member nominate them. We do not elect new members at each meeting, but only as vacancies occur through term expirations or resignations. Send a cover letter explaining why you would like to become a member, accompanied by a curriculum vitae to the chairman (Alan McRoberts), the secretary (Maggie Black) or any other SWGFAST member. Competition is steep and many well-qualified people try numerous times before becoming elected. So the failure to be elected should not discourage you. Keep resubmitting your name (cover letter and curriculum vitae) each time. Repeated attempts do tend to indicate sincerity and make the chances of being elected more favorable. Voting occurs among the membership present at the meeting and the top vote getters are chosen to fill the vacancies as decided ahead of the voting.

[Guest]

Pat,

Thanks for your reply. I have a similar question.

Can two examiners from the same agency serve on SWGFAST?

If not, what if one examiner is a member and the interested examiner has already contributed to the field and may be well known and respected?

BTW...I have been told that only one agency can have a member on SWGFAST.

[Pat A. Wertheim]

In general, we only allow one person per agency to sit on SWGFAST. But historically, there have been exceptions. FBI, Secret Service, Orange Co. SO (CA), some Federal agencies with branches around the country. I would say that the deck would be stacked against a second person from an agency being elected, but if the applicant had strong credentials, they might make it. It would more likely assure election if the first person bowed out and nominated the second, but even that would be no guarantee. My suggestion -- apply and see what happens. What's the worst? A response of "Nope. Try again later."