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In Honor and Memory of Peace Officers

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Emma Davis

Peace Officers Memorial Day is May 15th, and TRITECHFORENSICS would like to take a moment to remember those men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty.  In 2011, there were 166 duty-related deaths, and thus far in 2012, there have been 36 deaths.  For additional information on each officer and his or her death, visit the Officer Down Memorial Page here. 

President Obama released a proclamation that said, in part, “Every day, public safety officers work tirelessly to protect our citizens, enforce our laws, and keep our neighborhoods safe.  They report for duty knowing full well the dangers they face and the sacrifices they may be called upon to make.  This week, we pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who serve us with extraordinary bravery, and we remember the heroes who have laid down their lives in pursuit of a safer, more just society.”  

The proclamation also praised the families of those who serve.  “We owe a profound debt to all those who have worn the badge, and to the families whose care enables them to serve with courage and pride.  When the unthinkable happens and officers give their lives or are seriously injured in the line of duty, we have an obligation to give their loved ones the support they deserve.  During Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, we recall the selflessness of our law enforcement officers and their families, and we honor all those who devote their lives to forging a stronger, safer America.  Let us reflect on their invaluable contributions as we enjoy the peace they bring to our communities, and let us vow that their service will never be taken for granted.”

From TRITECHFORENSICS, we extend our sympathies to the families of those who paid the ultimate price for our safety.  It is a sacrifice that we do not take for granted.

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Don’t Miss This Grant Opportunity!

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Emma Davis

With a May 4 deadline, you will want to hurry to take advantage of this opportunity. 

The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell program) awards grants to states and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. Among other things, funds may be used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog. State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for both “base” (formula) and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds. 
  — From the Coverdell Grant Program information

For more information on this grant and a downloadable application, visit the National Institute of Justice Coverell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program page.

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Listen to Behind The Yellow Tape

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Emma Davis

Our unique Infant/Child Death Investigation Kit, our exclusive latent print lifter, the Swift Lift, and other products were highlighted on Joey Ortega’s Blog Talk Radio this past Friday.  The show included interviews with Lisa Busjahn, CCSA, and Lisa Mayhew, Child Death Scene Investigator/Trainer with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina.  You can listen to it by clicking on the link below.  

Listen to internet radio with Joey Ortega on Blog Talk Radio
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Lisa Mayhew and Lisa Busjahn on Behind The Yellow Tape

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Emma Davis

Catch the Behind The Yellow Tape BlogTalkRadio show this evening to hear an interview with Lisa Mayhew and our own Lisa Busjahn, CCSA.    

As a Child Death Scene Investigator/Trainer with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, Lisa Mayhew has provided assistance and consultation to law enforcement agencies throughout NC.  She was responsible for the development of a statewide training program on proper child death investigation techniques, enabling the agencies involved in the death of a child to work as a team.  Ms. Mayhew’s publications include training manuals for early childhood professionals as well as journal articles and a book on child death investigations.  She is currently an adjunct instructor with the NC Justice Academy. 

Listen to Behind The Yellow Tape here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/behindtheyellowtape or check out Joey Ortega’s Facebook page here.

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Behind The Yellow Tape and Free Swag

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Emma Davis

Don’t miss TTF on Joey Ortega’s next Behind The Yellow Tape radio show, airing Friday nights at 7:00 pm PST.  He’ll be passing out some Tritech products, and we’re sure you will enjoy his show.  Past guests have included Dr. Bill Bass of “Body Farm” fame and former FBI agent and pioneer of sexual predator profiling, Roy Hazelwood.  For more information on the Ortega, his background in criminal investigations, his radio show, and how to listen online, visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/behindtheyellowtape.

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Amber’s Legacy

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Emma Davis

Friday marked the 16th anniversary of the Amber Alert system, a joint effort by law enforcement, media, and transportation agencies to notify a community when a child is missing and in danger.  The goal is to get as many people involved in the search for the missing child as possible, and the program has seen great success.  As of January 6, 2012, 554 children have been rescued.  There are Amber Alert programs nationwide, in Canada, and in Puerto Rico, and many states have formal or informal agreements with neighboring states to issue alerts when it is believed a child has been carried over state lines.  The Amber Alert program has taken a step into the realm of technology by offering Amber Alerts on both wireless devices and on Facebook.  (For additional information, please visit the Amber Alert clearinghouse site: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children or check out their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/AMBERalert) and Like them.)  A quick review of Amber Alert child recoveries reveals concerned citizens have helped find many of the missing children.  

The Amber Alert system was named after 9 year old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted while riding her bicycle.  Though a neighbor witnessed the abduction and was able to describe the vehicle involved, Amber was later found murdered about 4 miles away from where she was abducted.   This tragedy inspired many involved to work to create the Amber Alert system, making quick notification of the public possible.  Previously, there was little interaction between law enforcement, the media, and other agencies.  This caused delays in spreading the word, a problem since the great majority of missing children homicides are committed within three hours of the abduction.  The need for urgent public notification was obvious, and, when a concerned citizen suggested the media inform the public just as they would for tornados or other emergencies, the Amber Alert idea was born.  Eighteen months after the initial local effort in Dallas, a baby was found after being kidnapped by her babysitter.  This success encouraged other agencies to come on board, and a world-wide effort began. 

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has numerous resources on their site, including some specifically for law enforcement professionals.  These include free books (downloadable or print versions), an investigators checklist and package in English and Spanish, step-by-step information to share with parents, and more.  There are also statistics (797,500 children went missing in the one-year period of time studied, averaging 2,185 children being reported missing each day, according to the US Department of Justice), advice on keeping children safe during a natural disaster, and a CyberTipLine for reporting instances of child endangerment which are then forwarded to the local law enforcement agency.  

Today, Amber’s family remembers the happy girl and is glad so many children have been recovered through the Amber Alert system.  They wonder, though, what the outcome would have been if the alert system had already been in place when Amber was abducted.  And they still hope for justice for the little girl whose life was so brutally stolen and whose killer remains free.

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2012 Begins!

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Emma Davis

NEW and IMPROVED! How many times have you heard those words, yet found the product to be less than what it claims to be? Here at Tritech, we work hard to make sure our products aren’t just the latest craze, but that they actually do what they promise they’ll do. Our most recently added MMC presumptive drug tests promise one-step identification of bath salts, K2, and the like, and they deliver. With the increased use of these synthetic drugs, law enforcement will need these quick, cost-effective, accurate tests. Synthetic drugs cause hallucinations, delirious episodes, and numerous physical issues such as increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Contrary to popular myth, these drugs are not harmless, but have caused holes to appear in the lungs, suicidal thoughts, coma, and even death. The federal government has taken action to stop the production of the components of synthetic drugs, but the need to identify substances will continue to grow, especially as there is currently no known test to detect if a person has used one of them.

For more information on the synthetic drug problem, please visit the U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center Situation Report on the emerging threat of synthetic cathinones. 

At Tritech this past year, this is only one of the products we’ve added to our line in order to better meet your needs. You may have already tested the exclusive Swift Lift Latent Print Lifting Mitt or read about the innovative Infant/Child Death Investigative Kit in the August issue of Law Enforcement Technology magazine. We started the Forensics Training Institute to bring top-notch instruction and world class instructors such as Jan Johnson, the 2004 president of the IAI, JR Davis, Lisa Mayhew, and JP Parrott to your location at reasonable prices. Each instructor has exceptional experience in the field as well as education and training to bring to you. We’ve revamped our website to provide you with an easier, more informative experience, including a personal account area where you can locate your purchasing history as well as favorites you want to see quickly. We even have a live chat feature should you have questions before purchasing.

We’d like to take a moment to thank you for your business. It is a pleasure providing you with useful products and helping improve the ways and means you use to investigate crimes. We look forward to continued relationships with each of you in 2012. We’ve met many great people at shows or other venues, and we hope to continue to meet, share, and learn from each other as we move into the new year. May your 2012 be a terrific year!

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Pearl Harbor Remembered

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Emma Davis

Seventy years ago today, Japan attacked the United States, sending hundreds of planes to bomb the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  The early morning attack took the lives of over 2000 Americans while another 1000 were wounded.  Eight battleships, 12 additional naval vessels, and between 200 and 300 planes were destroyed.  The next day, the US Congress voted to declare war on Japan.  Within days, Germany and Italy,  who were Japan’s allies, would join Japan in its war on the United States, and in turn, the US would declare war on Germany and Italy.  The world was at war, and many on all sides would fight and die.  Courage would be tested, and the men and women who fought in World War II would literally save the world from tyranny.  

Rememering the attack on Pearl Harbor is still fresh for many, almost as if it happened yesterday.  For others, it is a day that is discussed by parents and grandparents, with memories of where they were and what happened in the days to follow.  Those born more recently cannot image a day as horrific as September 11, 2001, yet Pearl Harbor was as big a tragedy for that day as the 9/11 attacks are for the recent generation.  The Pearl Harbor attack propelled the United States into war, and the entire country stood together, sacrificing for those who fought.  

We are proud of those who saved the world, for their sacrifice and bravery, and yet we are also proud of the way they have put the war behind them and are willing to walk toward a brighter future with those who were once enemies.  At the Battleship Arizona Memorial (pictured above), it is not uncommon to see former enemies embrace.  During the 50th anniversary of VJ Day, three exchange students were living with me, one from Germany, one from Italy, and one from Japan.  They were welcomed everywhere and given the utmost respect, especially by WWII veterans.  Perhaps this will also be the case with those involved in the more recent terrorist attacks on the United States.  We can only hope the example set by “The Greatest Generation” will be followed.

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Giving Thanks

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Emma Davis

An informal survey here at Tritech reveals what is probably true for everyone celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. First among the things we are all thankful for are our family and friends, followed closely by faith, jobs, freedom, great weather (we are located in coastal North Carolina), and even UNC basketball! It is good to have a day to take a step back, look at our lives, and see what is good and what needs to be tweaked.

We are also thankful for our customers. It is because of you that we are here, and we want to thank you for your continued business. Each one of us at Tritech is always striving to provide excellent and innovative products that will improve your job and help those in the forensics world. We are constantly on the lookout for those items that will revolutionize evidence collection, and you have provided us with some terrific ideas for products that will be of use to you. Thank you for your ideas and keep them coming!

While there is controversy over the first Thanksgiving, we would like to look at this day in 2011 as a day to remember the men and women who gave all to provide us with this home, with freedom, and with the ability to make our own way in the world, with opportunities surrounding us.  We will celebrate the day in many ways, with church services and prayers to God, with turkey and dressing, parades, and football games.  Let us also be thankful for our fellow countrymen and women, as we each work toward a better America.  

In the words of author Melodie Beatty, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  May it be so.

From TRITECHFORENSICS to you, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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On Veterans Day

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Emma Davis

 

To each veteran, we offer our deepest appreciation for your service and sacrifice.

We are honored to have you as members of

our Tritech Forensics team, our customers, and our families.

You have paid for our freedom, and we cannot thank you enough.

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