HR Management in the Forensic Science Laboratory

John Collins is among the most active and respected forensic science professionals in the United States. A prolific writer and speaker on contemporary forensic science practices, John has been a pioneering advocate for the improvement of leadership and HR practices in forensic science organizations. His educational workshops are among the most highly attended of any forensic science instructor in practice today, and his writings have had an unprecedented impact on modern forensic science policy in the United States and overseas. John is a member of the forensic science faculty at Michigan State University, and he also works as a high-stakes leadership consultant and executive coach at Critical Victories (www.criticalvictories.com), a company he founded to help people, teams, and organizations function more effectively in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. John has a master’s degree in Organizational Management and is formally recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Certified Professional. In 2013, John was honored by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors with the prestigious Briggs White Award in recognition for his expertise and outstanding contributions in the field of forensic science administration.

• PART I. INTRODUCTION1. Forensic Science and the Promise of HR2. The Story of Forensic Science3. Crime Scenes and Evidence CategoriesPART II. LABORATORY OPERATIONS4. Evidence Triage and Intake5. Case Management and Customer Service6. Special Case Circumstances and Considerations7. Occupational Outlook8. Professional Standards and Governance9. Reporting of Conclusions and the Art of ConsultingPART III. JOB ANALYSIS AND STAFFING10. Core Competencies and Education11. Job Descriptions and Requirements12. Recruitment, Evaluation, and Selection13. Employee Onboarding and Training14. Organizational Structuring and Work Units15. Overtime, Flexibility, and Alternative StaffingPART IV. ACCOMMODATIONS AND ENVIRONMENT16. Health and Safety17. Physical and Sensory Challenges18. Mental and Emotional HealthPART V. LABOR RELATIONS 19. Job Compensation and Classification20. Unions and Collective Bargaining21. Performance Review and Appraisal22. Progressive Discipline23. Malpractice and Misconduct24. Outside Employment (Moonlighting)PART VI. HIGH-STAKES LEADERSHIP25. Ethics, Integrity, and Independence26. Accreditation27. Developing Future Leaders28. Strategic Positioning