WAI June 2016 (2) - Wisconsin Association for Identification

WAI NEWSLETTER
June 2016 Issue: WAI 50th
Anniversary, WAI Conference
WAI Turns 50
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the
Wisconsin Association for Identification, which can
trace its formation to a meeting held June 7, 1966, at
the Oak Creek Police Department. Nine individuals
were present and a decision was made to petition the
International Association for Identification for a state
charter. The charter was granted in July of 1966 and
on October 5, 1966, the WAI held its first
organizational meeting in West Milwaukee.
The WAI was formed to bring together in an
organized manner those engaged in forensic
identification, investigation, and crime detection.
The goal in doing so was to ensure that practices
were done in a standard, effective, and scientific
manner. To aid in this, emphasis was placed on
informing and educating members regarding the
latest techniques in these areas.
By January of 1967, the organization had 24
members. The initial bylaws specified that
members be heads of police departments; chiefs of
detectives; heads of identification units, including
those under their supervision engaged in fingerprint
work; and sheriffs.
In June of 1967, the WAI held its first educational
conference, which took place in Appleton. The
conference has been held every year since then at
various cities across the state. The WAI has also
hosted three annual IAI conferences, in 1972, 1999,
and 2011, all occurring in Milwaukee.
Presently, the WAI has approximately 200
members, making it the largest organization of its
kind in the state. Operating functions of the
association are handled by 15 elected officers and
directors, along with numerous appointed
committee members.
The first officers of the WAI. Front row from
left: Andrew Kashuba, president; Robert
Lathrop, first vice president; Michael Feider,
second vice president. Back row from left:
John Lauber, secretary/treasurer; Howard
Jennrich, editor; Henry Peters, Sgt.-at-Arms.
Photo from Finger Print and Identification
Magazine, January 1967
Many changes have taken place in the past 50 years
and the WAI’s evolving goals and practices have
reflected this, all while maintaining the original
focus of upholding professional standards in the
field. Advancements are occurring at a rapid rate in
the forensic sciences and it is certain the WAI will
continue to educate and assist its members so they
may perform their duties at the highest level.
More information regarding the history of the WAI
can be found on the organization’s website at
www.thewai.org.
WAI NEWSLETTER
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2016 WAI Conference
The 50th annual WAI Educational Conference
took place March 8-11 at the Tundra Lodge Resort
in Green Bay. Approximately 150 people attended
the event, which provided high quality forensic
training covering a variety of topics.
One of the featured speakers was Lt. David
DelVecchia of the Connecticut State Police. He
described the 2012 investigation of the Sandy
Hook School shooting, which took place in
Newton, Connecticut.
Another major presentation dealt with
investigating crimes at assisted living centers,
nursing homes, and hospice facilities. This was
given by William Keeling, an investigator with
ResCare, Inc., and a retired detective from the
Louisville Metro Police Department
Opening ceremony with WAI President
Julie Mead (right) and IAI President
Bridget Lewis (left).
Photos by Don Krueger
Honor guard from the De Pere Police Department
and Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
Many other instructors also contributed greatly
to the conference. Michael Campbell from Ron
Smith & Associates provided an introduction to
the science of friction ridge examination. Ronald
Groffy from Educe Forensics and Daniel Feucht
from Fox Valley Technical College showed how
to interpret crime scenes. Katharine MorenoTaxman, an assistant United States Attorney,
spoke on human trafficking investigations. Steve
Johnson of Ideal Innovations focused on facial
recognition and forensic art. Nick Stahlke from
the Wisconsin State Crime Lab looked at blood
pattern analysis. Detective Lee Mikulec from the
Fond du Lac Police Department gave a session on
shooting reconstruction. James Armstrong from
the Wisconsin Crime Lab reviewed the use of
Photoshop. Jordan Karsten, a professor of
anthropology from the University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh, detailed bone recognition. Corissa
Wobler and Anna Schmitz from the Wisconsin
Crime Lab demonstrated latent print processing.
Jill Karofsky, executive director of the Wisconsin
Department of Justice’s Office of Crime Victim
Services, talked about campus sexual assaults and
SANE kits. Brian Landers, a professor from the
Madison Area Technical College, explained the
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use of aerial drones. C.J. Camel and Lisa Robin
from Police Auditing and Consulting Services
(PACS) discussed evidence and property audits.
Jim Herman from PACS showed how to use
technology to improve property rooms. Finally,
members of the WAI Property and Evidence
Committee along with Roy Korte, an assistant
attorney general in Wisconsin, presented an
update on the best practices manual for property
and evidence managers.
In addition to classroom activities, attendees had
a chance to socialize at the conference dinner
banquet and also partake of a reception at
Lambeau Field, which included a behind-thescenes tour of the stadium.
PAGE 3
WAI Elections
On March 11, the general membership meeting
was held. Elections took place to select officer
and board of director positions for the current
term. The following individuals were chosen.
•Matthew Guth, President
•Paul Olsen, First Vice President
•Holly Schultz, Second Vice President
• Anna Schmitz, Third Vice President
•Julie Avila, Secretary/Treasurer
•David Hoppe, Editor
•Donald Krueger, Sergeant-at-Arms
•Ronald Groffy, Historian
A noteworthy part of this year’s event was a
silent auction to help the family of Ryan
Copeland, an officer with the McFarland Police
Department who was killed during an on-duty
traffic accident in November of 2015. Over
$2,000 was raised, which was presented to
Amanda Copeland, Ryan’s widow. Special
thanks to WAI Director Jason White, who was
instrumental in organizing the auction.
Another highlight was the presentation of a
dedication to service award to Robert Sanders,
a forensic scientist with the Wisconsin Crime
Lab. Robert has served as past president of the
WAI and IAI and his contributions to our
organization over many years have been
immeasurable.
Finally, thanks are in order for the hard work and
dedication of Lisa Hudson, chair of the
conference planning committee, along with
members Melissa Graf, Julie Avila, Lee Mikulec, Anna Schmitz, Julie Mead, Vickie Brugger,
Holly Schultz, Dan Feucht, Jason White, and Don
Krueger.
WAI officers. Front row from left: Paul Olsen, Matt
Guth, Holly Schultz. Back row from left: Don
Krueger, Anna Schmitz, Julie Avila, Ron Groffy.
•Julie Mead, Chairman of the Board
•Lisa Hudson, Director
•David Karls, Director
•William Spankowski, Director
•Jason White, Director
•Vickie Brugger, Director
•Lee Mikulec, Director
WAI NEWSLETTER
PAGE 4
Vonnahme
Kim graduated from Northeast Missouri State
University in May of 1990. Following her
graduation, she began working for the Wisconsin
State Crime Lab and was currently employed as a
supervisor at the Wausau lab.
Kim loved her cats and dogs, enjoyed reading and
was an avid bird watcher and gardener.
WAI directors. Front row from left: Jason White,
Julie Mead (chairman), Lee Mikulec. Back row
from left: David Karls, Lisa Hudson, Vickie
Brugger, Bill Spankowski.
Survivors include her mother, Mary; six siblings:
Bev (Dwight) Whitlach, Ankeny, Iowa; Linda
(Roger) Thomas, Apple Valley, Minnesota; Randy
(Shirley) Vonnahme, Ankeny, Iowa; Keith (Nancy)
Vonnahme, Farmington, Minnesota; her twin
sister, Karla Vonnahme, Prior Lake, Minnesota;
and Kay Vonnahme, Grimes, Minnesota; and many
nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews
further survive. Besides her father, Wayne, she
was preceded in death by one brother, Allan.
The family would like to express a sincere thank
you to the staff at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab
for all the love and support for Kim.
Contact information for the officers and
directors can be found on the WAI website at
www.thewai.org.
Obituary
Kim Vonnahme Served As
Crime Lab Supervisor
Kim M. Vonnahme, 47, Wausau, died Sunday,
November 22, 2015, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital,
following a year long battle with cancer.
She was born February 12, 1968, in Guthrie
Center, Iowa, daughter of Mary (Lammers)
Vonnahme of Huxley, Iowa, and the late Wayne
Kim Vonnahme
The above obituary and photo is from the
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Wausau.
2016 WAI Conference In Review
Photos by Don Krueger
Students practice various forensic techniques.
Tour of Lambeau Field.
Conference attendees at the Tundra Lodge Resort.