Episodes
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In today's coaching session, John discusses the problem of technical units and their supervisors not playing nice with their laboratory administrators, the damage this causes, and approaches to dealing with it - and preventing it - effectively. We also enjoy a conversation with Bob McClaren, Director of R&D in Genetic Identity at the Promega corporation on one of the biggest discoveries in the history forensic DNA analysis.
References
Visit our Friends at Promega
Advanced Expert Witnessing (December Online)
Show Links
Promega News on Stutter Solution - The Scientist Magazine
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There are times when life confronts us with great loss or the threat of loss, and the emotions we feel can be overwhelming. Deep emotional pain, however, can have adverse effects on the brain that threaten the quality of a sufferer's work. In this episode of the CoachCast, John Collins provides insight and tips for dealing with emotional pain, and how to support the members of our teams when they are afflicted by the most difficult circumstances that life will inevitably bring our way.
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Advanced Expert Witnessing (Online)
Show Links
Hennepin County DNA Contamination
The Scent of Death - A New Methodology in Death Investigations
CBI Audit and Responding Proposals
HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory (Book, 2018)
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Episodes manquant?
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Coming off a recent tour of workshops and presentations on the subject, John Collins discusses the threat of excessively restrictive policies that prevent hiring managers from really getting to know their job candidates. When forensic science laboratories are forced to follow a structured "script" that prohibits a conversational connection with interview subjects, their ability to recognize and identify potential problems is significantly impaired.
Events and Workshops
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Advanced Expert Witnessing (Online)
Show Links
Stutter Reduction Enzyme by Promega
HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory (Book, 2018)
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This is a Crime Lab CoachCast Update for Monday September 30, 2024. Live from the 2024 meeting of the Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers.
Coach's Message for Today
"Honorable and competent work performance arise from professionals who know how much they truly matter."
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The newest forensic science organization got off the ground in November 2023. The National Association of Forensic Science Boards is now set to host its 2nd annual meeting in Albany, New York. In this episode of the CoachCast, John speaks with Kermit Channell and Jennifer Naugle about the organization's mission, future, and upcoming meeting. John also explains the evolution of his own thinking about forensic science oversight.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Events and Workshops
ISHI 2024 Workshops - San Antonio (September 2024)
AFQAM 2024 - Daytona Beach, Florida
True Intergity at AFQAM - Registration Page
Show Notes and Links
National Association of Forensic Science Boards
National Forensic Science Week - Texas Style
NIST Strategic Opportunities Report
Rhode Island Firearms Suspension
CFSO on Smith v. Arizona
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Few things are harder on a team or organization than a change in executive-level leadership. The experience can leave even the best-running teams feeling like everyone has lost their minds. In this episode, we explain why it happens and how to prevent it with a more thoughtful and open approach to transitioning between leadership regimes.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Events and Workshops
ISHI 2024 Workshops - San Antonio (September 2024)
AFQAM 2024 - Daytona Beach, Florida
True Intergity at AFQAM - Registration Page
Show Notes and Links
Election Forensics
Wall Street Journal on Cannibis and Impaired Driving
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There is a particular kind of individual with a particular temperament that you must identify and eliminate from hiring consideration. Doing so will save you and your team valuable time and energy, and it will prevent the poisoning of your team and its ability to nurture a communicative and collaborative environment.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Events and Workshops
ISHI 2024 Workshops - San Antonio (September 2024)
AFQAM 2024 - Daytona Beach, Florida
True Intergity at AFQAM - Registration Page
Show Notes and Links
Traces of Doubt: The Forensics of Dr. Henry Lee (NBC)
The ASCLD LEAP Network
HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory (Book)
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What is integrity and how does the study of ethics ensure that professionals will demonstrate integrity during the most difficult situations? The answer is that it can't. Ethics is a highly misunderstood and often misapplied field of study. In this episode, your host, John Collins, will discuss his new situational readiness workshop, True Integrity, and some important factors that predict the quality of decisions people will make when everything is on the line.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
Events and Workshops
ISHI 2024 Workshops - San Antonio (September 2024)
AFQAM 2024 - Daytona Beach, Florida
True Intergity at AFQAM - Registration Page
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Job satisfaction leads to higher levels of energy, which translates into better engagement and better performance. But the factors leading to one's job satisfaction are complicated and often include personal matters that are outside the control of the laboratory. In this episode, John Collins discusses some of the key elements of job satisfaction and why the hiring of local talent should always be an option worthy of serious consideration.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
ISHI 2024 Workshops - San Antonio (September 2024)
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In this episode of the Crime Lab CoachCast, John Collins, your host and author of HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory - A 21st Century Approach to Effective Crime Lab Leadership, discusses the importance of filling vacant leadership positions as soon as possible. He also discusses the damage caused by unnecessary delays. For those of you involved in the selection and hiring of executive forensic laboratory administrators, you won't want to miss this episode.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
References
Smith v. Arizona (SCOTUS Blog)
HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory (2018)
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Jody Wolf is an award winning forensic laboratory veteran and former president of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. She is one of the few forensic laboratory administrators to climb beyond the laboratory into the police command ranks. Jody is now the Chief of Staff for the Phoenix Police Department. In this episode, John speaks with Jody about her journey and love of forensic science laboratories, and what she's observed and experienced in forensic science along the way. You don't want to miss this chat with one of America's most influential forensic laboratory leaders.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
References
Video - Elevating Women in Law Enforcement - With Jody Wolf
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Confidence is the blissful feeling of self-assurance that you can handle whatever people or situations you encounter in your life and career. But you can lose it and, when you do, it can leave you feeling lost, hurting, and desperate for answers. The good news is that you can get it back, and in this episode you will learn how.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
References
No references
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Relationships are the raw materials from which teamwork is made. But what happens when problems arise in workplace relationships and what can be done to fix them? John Collins will share his thoughts about relationships within the forensic science environment and will also share a strategy for repairing broken relationships when they start getting in the way of your laboratory's mission.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
References
Book: The Body Keeps the Score - Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
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Faith is not a subject we typically associate with science, but even scientists rely on their faith to orient themselves in this world and this life. Faith is not the same as religion and is not rooted in certainty. It is something we struggle with. John Collins speaks with his friend, colleague, and fellow coach, Kevin R. Smith, about having faith in our natural strengths, and knowning that they provide the best opportunity to function with more effectiveness in our lives and careers.
Our Season Sponsor
Visit our Friends at Promega
The International Symposium on Human Identification (2024)
References
Still Kevin - Leadership Development (Kevin R. Smith)
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In today's episode of the Crime Lab Coach Cast, John discusses the most widely discussed element of personality, which is the extroversion/intoversion spectrum. But there are myths that need to be replaced with facts and healthier attitudes about our desire to socialize and communicate with others. Where do YOU fall on the spectrum, and how do you use it to your advantage?
Our Seasonal Sponsor
Promega and the International Symposium on Human Identification
References
Strength and Personality Masterclass
Free Access with INVITE coupon codeShow Up Strong
Build Your Authoritative Presence Through Assertive Thinking and Conflict Readiness
Public Safety professionals use SAFETY coupon code for discount -
John speaks with forensic science veteran, educator, and philosopher, Max Houck, to discuss some of the deeper issues facing forensic science laboratories today. Join Max and John as they tackle issues such as the relationships between laboratories and police agencies, standards, acceditation, the future of forensic science, and some interesting bits of historical fact that brought forensic science to where it is today.
Our Seasonal Sponsor
Promega and the International Symposium on Human Identification
Program ReferencesVisit Max Houck
Forensic Science Inernational - Synergy
Jay Siegel - In Memorium
Washington Post on Max Houck's Departure
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Bad things happen in all occupations, but when nightmares come true, it's vital that your team stick together to come out on the other side better than you were before. In this episode of the CoachCast, John Collins discusses the one mistake and the one fantasy that get in the way of forensic science laboratories seeking to address - and prevent - a crisis or catastrophic failure.
Our Seasonal Sponsor
Promega and the International Symposium on Human Identification
Program References
NIST 2023 Environmental Scan
Max Houck on Substack
Colorado DNA Misconduct Case
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Employees can only motivate themselves, a truth that invites important questions about what both managers and employees should be prioritizing in their efforts to contribute toward a high-energy laboratory team. John Collins, "America's Crime Lab Coach," shares his tips and ideas in this next edition of the Crime Lab COACH Cast.
References
Promega - 2024 Season Sponsor
Talent is Overrated (Book)
The New Superior (Book) by John Collins
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In this 3rd episode of the 2024 season, John reaches into his bag of coaching strategies to help listeners cope effectively with people having pathologically challenging personalities.
References
Promega (Season Sponsor)
Coping with Difficult People (Book by R Bramson, PhD)
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John Collins speaks with Tim Kupferschmid, Chief of Laboratories for the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Tim is also the current president of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. In this episode, Tim shares his thoughts on current events and issues facing today's forensic science laboratories, as well as the issues that will confront laboratory administrators in the near and distant future.
Special thanks to our 2024 season sponsor, Promega.
References
2020 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Science Crime Laboratories
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner - Laboratories
DNA Gun Crimes Unit
SCOTUS - Smith v. Arizona
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