Welcome to the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS) web site.  I would like to say how honored I am to be serving as MAFS President for 2009-2010.  I encourage all of you members to think about what this organization can do for you and seek those things out.  MAFS was formed to be a tool and resource for practicing forensic scientists, so that we all may feel that we work as a team in trying to make a difference when it comes to solving crimes.

Speaking of making a difference, it may seem like an overwhelming task. It may seem that there is so much to do, and that the amount of crime seems to be getting worse.  Maybe it even seems like what you are doing is never going to make a difference when there is so much to be done.  I'd like to share a story I recently heard about making a difference that really hits home:
 
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
A man was walking along the ocean early one morning. It was shortly after a storm had subsided and as he continued walking, he noticed that thousands of starfish had been washed up on the beach. Ahead of him was a gigantic rainbow of incredible perfection shimmering into existence. At the base of the rainbow stooped a little boy, gazing fixedly at an object in the sand. Eventually, he flung the object far beyond the breaking surf.
The man went up to him and asked, "Son, what are you doing?" The little boy answered, "I'm throwing starfish back into the sea because if I don't they're going to die." "But there are thousands of starfish. In the larger scheme of things you're not going to make much of a difference to all these starfish." The little boy looked up at him, stooped down again to pick up another starfish and, gently but quickly, flung it back into the ocean. "It's going to make a big difference to that one" he replied.

I personally believe that every effort we take in the laboratory can be a special and important part of achieving justice for a victim.  In these times when stress is high, there are more constraints on our time, and there is more critical attention to what we do, I like to keep in mind that we are helping people and it all comes down to that.

I look forward to serving as MAFS President and encourage you to contact me, or any board member, section coordinator, or committee chair to share your ideas or suggestions on what this organization can do for you and the forensic community.

Please visit our web site regularly for updated information on MAFS activities and to exchange information with your colleagues in other labs.  Our webmaster Sean Brooks and the rest of the electronic communication committee continue to do a terrific job keeping the site fresh and informative for both members and visitors.   If you’re a member and have not already done so, be sure to set up a login on the member’s only page, to access member forums, our online directory, digital versions of past newsletters, and to pay your dues online. 

If you are contemplating joining MAFS, we would be delighted to have you!  Please see the "Membership" tab for information, forms and instructions. 

Have a safe and wonderful 2010!

Cheryl Lozen, MAFS President