CLPEX Chat Board

I've updated the IAI Conference Category for the 2008 Louisville conference. I left the few threads that were posted after the 2007 San Diego conference active, however feel free to use this area to discuss the upcoming conference.

To get to this Category, click the link above to the Forum Index and select the IAI Category.

Thought I'd kick this back up top.

Update to hotel information.

The Poster Presentations and Photo Contest is up and running. Come on put you name in on a Poster or a photo for the contest.

Back up to the top.

I won't be attending the IAI conference this year and haven't been to one in several years due to "budget". I understand that budget presents a problem with many departments, but can someone throw a little advice my way as how to articulate the importance of these conferences to my supervisor? Going to any kind of training out of the state of Texas is typically frowned upon; however, I would like to get across to the head cheese the knowledge that is gained by attending these conferences. (By the way, our crime scene unit answers to a Sergeant who is over CID and has no true experience in our field. He seems to always get the "glazed over" look in his eyes when I'm talking to him about these conferences so I'm trying to figure out a different route to take when bringing up the subject.) Thanks!

Well I would first try the Jedi Mind Trick on him. If that does not work you may try making a list of the classes at the conference that could immediately impact how you process evidence or handle crime scenes.
You should then show how those changes will either save money, increase case output, or improve results. For example: On Monday there is a lecture on Indanedione. If you are presently using DFO you should show him that DFO costs twice as much and does not provide the quality of results that indanedione does. So you will save him money and improve results by switching.
Most management is concerned about stats and money so I would try as hard as you can to make a case about why sending you to a conference (you could even see if they will go for every other year) will increase their stats and save them money.
Just remember that stats can usually say anything if you have the right chart or graph to go with it…make graphs/charts (in color helps) that will project (short-term and long-term) a dramatic savings or increase in stats if you make a few changes to your analytical method based on the lectures/workshops at the conference. You will of course have to attend the conference in order to assess the lectures/workshops and determine if such changes to your AM will be beneficial.


Here are just a few classes/workshops from Monday & Tuesday that could either save you money, increase case output, or improve results:

-Indanedione: an ultimate reagent for development of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces (Saves money & improves results)
-One Step Fluorescent Cyanoacrylate Co-polymerization Success
Lifting Latent Prints off Unusual and Textured Surfaces (Increase case output & may save money)
Accutrans®, First Impressions are the Best (Improve results)
Alternative Ways of Developing Latent Impressions on Thermal Paper (Improve results)
Forensic Digital Infrared & Ultraviolet Photography (Improve results)
Gizmos & Gadgets (may increase output & may improve results)


Good Luck,
PG
PS- Also, you may want to point out that the conference this year will be the closest to Allen ,TX (so possibly the cheapest) at least through 2013...so they should send you this one.
PPS- You also may want to play toward your sergeant’s ego. Tell him that when he asks/tells his ‘higher ups’ he can say he is ‘sending you to the conference so that you may reassess your labs operating procedures in order to enhance efficiency, remain state-of-the-art, and increase cost effectiveness.” That will make him sound progressive.

Thanks so much for your advice Peter. I really like the Jedi Mind Trick approach! My evaluation is coming up this week so it will be a perfect time to spring it. I specifically like anything that makes the supervisor sound progressive to the big wigs. Excellent strategy!

Another thing beyond what the fat one mentioned, is to introduce the idea of reducing liability. Many of the ideas and concepts shared during the presentations (and in the halls) revolve around the things we do to improve our work and better represent our results. All it takes is one bad lawsuit to change things.

When I was in Boston, I went to a lecture on how homicide investigations in Mass had changed over the decades. I think it was Brian O'Hara who gave the presentation, and he made a point that I really liked. He said that you need to hire good people, get them the tools they need to do the job, and train them well. It seems like such an obvious concept, but if it were he wouldn't have to make the point.

It only takes one lawsuit to cost many times more than the cost of doing those things. Ultimately you'll save money - and that will benefit the taxpayers in the community you serve. The tough thing is that in a time when budgets are so tight, the first thing to usually get cut is training. The next thing will be staffing.

I know of several people who have paid their own way to these conferences because they see the value in them to the work that they do - and their agencies have even fought not to allow that, even when they were taking vacation time to do so!

Fortunately the Friday night of the conference I had the opportunity to meet Brian and tell him how much I appreciated that sentiment coming from command staff/management.

Steve-

Seems great leadership is few and far between these days. Agencies hire good people and that's where it stops. The mindset is, "okay, I can say that our department has a crime scene unit now" and it ends there. Sounds a little like a marriage doesn't it? Anyway, thank you for adding to Peter's advice. I will press on with the issue until I'm told to "zip it"!