Stakeholder Feedback

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DNA Audit Program

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you and NFSTC for administering this assessment program. The State of Maine and the forensic community as a whole derives great benefits from your work. We consider this one of the most integral parts of our laboratory's quality assurance program."

"...she was a great auditor! I have had two NFSTC audits now and I have come away with the same feeling. Whew! - to put it in one word. Both were tough, in that they went through everything in detail. But in both cases, I felt they were fair and freely shared their knowledge. At the end of it, I felt that I had learned a lot. Moreover, I felt that they both took the trouble to not be intimidating. The process itself is intimidating enough, but they were both so pleasant to work with that it removed the sting. I also especially appreciated the attitude that the goal of the audit is a positive one - to ensure quality work is being done. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I have appreciated the people I have met through the NFSTC."

"The audit was done very professionally with good attitude and a willingness to accomplish goals and objectives of the audit process. This program given by NFSTC is vital to crime lab development and improvement in the US."

"Very impressed with his demeanor and professionalism. Your auditor was non-intrusive; every analyst felt comfortable during the interview process. He kept us well informed during the audit and conveyed any recommendations in a very positive manner."

"I greatly appreciate the tone your Lead Auditor set for the audit team. The Forensic Biology Section was able to appreciate that audits can be quite helpful and a rewarding experience."

"This auditor has the experience and skill necessary to perform a detailed audit. Experience always counts plus technical knowledge, which he has. Yes, we would like to have his input again."

"...your auditor was professional, courteous, friendly, non-biased, thorough, complete."

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Grant Progress Assessment Program

"It was truly a pleasure to have your staff on site. They were very friendly to our staff and their professionalism was truly appreciated. I personally want to express my appreciation for...[working] well with other staff to accomplish the goal of finishing the audit and GPA review."

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Quality Documents Program

"I am working with the documents and templates provided in your Quality Documents Program, I am finding them very helpful though due to the animal focus of our lab I do need to make certain modifications. I am excited to find the services and resources
at the NFSTC website that you are offering and have available."

“… I received the CD containing Malcolm and Peel’s “Introduction to Accreditation for Forensic Labs”.  I am certain this will be a significant addition to our accreditation resources.  A few weeks ago, our Quality Assurance Manager…attended the AFQAM meeting in Tampa and reported that it was an excellent meeting and that once again NFSTC subsidized a portion of the meeting costs.  These are just two of many examples in which NFSTC had provided an important service to the Forensic community and I just wanted to send a short note to say “thanks” for the assistance.  I am a firm believer that the service NFSTC has provided over the years has contributed to improved quality throughout Forensic Science.”

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Community Outreach Program

"On behalf of the American Board of Criminalistics, I would like to thank you and your NFSTC staff for the support and assistance you gave us for our Summer Meeting which was held in Largo from July 29 through August 1, 2005. The lodging assistance you were able to provide allowed us to meet for an extra day. It has also allowed our member organizations the opportunity to sponsor another meeting this fall for our Exam Committee. The changes in testing format we have initiated will be disseminated through presentations which will be made at SAFS, AFQAM, MAFS, CAC and NEAFS. I will also be making a Poster presentation at ASCLD. David and Jane were extremely helpful. It is a pleasure dealing with dedicated professionals.Again, on behalf of ABC, Thank You and your staff again for your assistance. ABC looks forward to maintaining our excellent relationship with NFSTC."      Mike Healy, F-ABC, President, ABC Board of Directors

Letter of Appreciation from California Association of Criminalists
Download letter in Adobe Acrobat format

"I would personally like to thank you for the opportunities that your organization has provided to me. Without the supplemental funding, I would be unable to attend. AFQAM conferences provide crucial benefits on the education, guidance, and direction of all quality aspects related to crime laboratories becoming accredited. Please except [sic] my expressed gratitude for the ability to attend and learn. I look forward to participating in future conferences."

Letter of Appreciation from AFQAM Conference Attendee
Download letter in Adobe Acrobat format

"As a Quality Manager, I very much appreciate NFSTC and NIJ's support enabling so many of us to gather in one place and exchange information and ideas. The contacts I've made at AFQAM meetings have been invaluable in helping me to always strive toward doing my job a little bit better and continually improving the quality of work my laboratory performs."     
Robert D. Burris, Quality Manager, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Scientific Analysis Bureau

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Firearms Academy Program

Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) President Ron Marrs, wrote in the March 2005 AFTE newsletter:

"Katy Savage and David Epstein of the National Forensic Science Technology Center and their subject expert, past AFTE President Ronnie Freels, gave a demonstration of a completed module (Bullet Class Characteristics) on their knowledge based CD. The Board was very impressed with the presentation and hopes that all the modules of this CD turn out as well as the one we viewed. The NFSTC has promised that at the completion of their project, all AFTE members will be given the knowledge based CD. AFTE is also considering undertaking a Memorandum of Understanding with the NFSTC to modernize our training syllabus."

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DNA Academy Program

Excerpts of comments made by supervisors when surveyed about their analyst trainees who attended the NFSTC Forensic DNA Academy :

“…I have been very happy with Analyst’s knowledge and performance and feel that her training at the Forensic DNA Academy was extremely valuable.”

“Adequate trouble-shooting ability. Excellent QA/QC knowledge.”

“Analyst returned to our laboratory from the Forensic DNA Academy with a solid basis in the processing and analysis of evidence to obtain a DNA profile…”

“Analyst sat for a comprehensive oral board examination when he returned and passed it with flying colors!”

 “…he is so helpful to the others with his knowledge of statistics and population genetics, courtroom testimony…”

“Analyst is very comfortable with the laboratory procedures… is very capable and is able to function with minimal direction…has been able to work on DNA validation projects…”

“…training that she received at NFSTC has definitely benefited her career development and greatly reduced the amount of time that it takes to train and prepare an individual for casework. Our laboratory is appreciative…”

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NFSTC.org Website

Comments from external stakeholders:

"Great looking site. Easy to navigate. Congratulations."

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