Research and Development Assistantship

AFTE is pleased to announce a Research and Development Assistantship. We are soliciting proposals regarding science and technology-related research and development (R&D) within the field of firearm and toolmark identification. We are seeking project proposals that will result in the development of or improvements to, investigative methods or techniques that will enhance the quality of our discipline.

This is an invitation to the members of AFTE to explore innovative technologies and techniques to help accomplish the goals of our organization. In this endeavor, innovation and creativity counts. Recipient(s) will be given virtually free rein, within the discipline, to experiment with practical approaches that will challenge conventional wisdom and proffer alternative means for mitigating recurring problems. We hope that this call for innovative R&D will stretch the limits of your imagination, and that you will define and confront the challenges of our discipline and choose to expand the knowledge and techniques of our science.


I. Introduction

AFTE was officially formed in 1969

“in recognition of the need for the interchange of information, methods, development of standards, and the furtherance of research.”

By today’s standards this would be called a mission statement.

We feel that it is time to fulfill another segment of AFTE’s mission statement by supporting R&D through assisted funding of projects. Validation of equipment, new techniques and fresh approaches to old problems must be tackled from within. Furthermore, as inspired by our mission statement, information must be collected and disseminated to the membership at conferences, workshops and through the quarterly publications of the AFTE Journal.


II. Purpose and Impact

The R&D Committee will accept proposals for projects and will award funds based on the merits of the proposals. Therefore, there may be years when no financial assistance is awarded and other years when one project or possibly several small projects are awarded an assistantship.

We hope to receive a balanced variety of product development, implementation, and evaluation projects regarding science and/or technology. This assistance focuses on near-term (one year or less) development. When applying, you should keep in mind the cost considerations of the technology products that may result from your research. Many of our laboratories have limited financial resources to apply toward implementation or acquisition of technology. This has a direct impact on the degree to which the new technology will be accepted by laboratory management.

Keep in mind the following criteria:

1. How important is the new technology?
2. What will be its impact?
3. Is the proposed technique or device more effective or safer than that currently used?
4. What are the expected scientific advancements?
5. Is the technology or development cheaper, easier to use, and portable?
6. How many new items will be needed?
7. What are the hidden cost? (For example, new computers)
8. What, if any, are the net savings? (In labor or other costs)
9. How much training is required to use and maintain the technology?
10. How will your project benefit the membership?
11. How will the courts view the technology or scientific advancement?


III. Proposal

Proposals may address new developments, new techniques (or adaptation of the existing), methods, materials, and protective/safety equipment. Proposals must demonstrate novelty in technological developments that will result in enhanced performance, improved reliability and/or reduced costs. They must describe how or why the selected project represents the common needs of the membership as well as the new or modified requirements. Describe any new or novel applications for the project and explain the cost effectiveness or health and safety benefits of the improvement. All proposals must include a plan of implementation and address the ease of use, the cost of use, and the expected advancement of the science. It is incumbent on the applicant to articulate the expected benefits and cost trade-offs over the existing methods or approach. Devices, if any, must be sufficiently described including the principals of operation and a physical description in order to permit an assessment of its expected effectiveness and safety. All aspects of the project’s safety must be considered!

The proposal abstract, when read separately from the rest of the application, is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work. Applicants must concisely describe the research goals and objectives, research design, and methods for achieving the goals and objectives. Summaries of past accomplishments are to be avoided.

IV. Selection Criteria

After review by the R&D Committee, a recommendation will be made to the AFTE Board of Directors. Upon Board approval, the R&D Committee will award the Assistantship.

Selection criteria used to evaluate the proposals are as follows:

Quality and Technical Merit

1. Soundness of methodology, analytical or technical approach
2. Innovation and creativity
3. Feasibility of proposed project
4. Awareness of pitfalls

Impact of the Project

1. Understanding the importance of the problem
2. Potential for significant advancement of the discipline
3. Relevance of practice
4. Affordability

Demonstrated Capabilities, Productivity and Experience of Applicants

1. Member of AFTE, at any level, must be in good standing
2. Responsiveness to the goals of the committee
3. Ability to manage the proposed project

Management Plan and Budget Considerations

1. Task Breakdown listing expenditures or a Line Item Budget
2. Adequacy of proposed resources to perform project
3. Total cost relative to perceived benefits
4. Use of existing resources to conserve costs
5. Cost effectiveness of application to other laboratories



V. Application Information

Applicants must include the following completed information to qualify for this assistantship. (Further explanation follows on the next pages of this packet):

1. Project Proposal Abstract
2. Signed Rule and Assurance Form
3. Budget Worksheet
4. Proposal of Scientific Method
5. List of Reference Material
6. Current Resume or CV


The completed application package should be mailed to:

Kimberly D. Haag
Metropolitan Forensic Science Center
5350 2nd. Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505-823-4255

khaag@cabq.gov
 

  Application Format

1. Project Proposal Abstract

The following four headers should be used.

1. Project Goals and Objectives
2. Proposed Research Design and Methodology
3. Implementation Plan
4. Diagrams of Devices

2. Rule and Assurance Form

1. Details of this proposal will be kept confidential within the committee and the Board; However, the project(s) receiving an assistantship may have the project chairman’s name and project title published in the AFTE Journal prior to the projects completion.

2. AFTE will provide 10-20% of the financial assistance as “seed money”. The balance of the approved funds will be forthcoming once an approved AFTE Article has been submitted to the R&D Committee. (Reviewed, Re-edited by the author, if necessary, and approved by the R&D Committee)

3. No later than six months after the completion date, a written report must be submitted to the R&D Committee in the required format for the AFTE Journal along with a written report detailing the utilization of the assistantship money.

4. AFTE reserves the right to publish all assistantship recipients work and/or have it presented at the annual training conference regardless of the R&D project outcome.

5. AFTE accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, beyond providing the limited assistantship.

6. The R&D Committee must be notified of, and kept informed of, any conditions which will prevent the project from being completed by an agreed upon date.

7. Progress reports are to be submitted as requested by the committee.

8. Expenditures must be supported with receipts (documenting amount, to whom, and for what), an invoice, and/or canceled check.

I have read the above and agree to adhere to the rules and assurances set forth by this committee:

Printed Name
Signature
AFTE Membership Number and Status
Title
Date

3. Budget Worksheet

The assistance is not for general laboratory operation costs, training, or other
non-research costs. All monies will be in US dollars. An itemized list of items needed for the project must be submitted. Funding will be made mainly for consumables and other limited items (i.e. It is not for costly equipment, travel, range fees, etc.).

Consumables: Supplies such as ammunition, chemicals, and items that can not be provided by the individuals host organization or laboratory. Itemize as to type.

Other Limited Items: Analytical services not provided by individuals host organization and inexpensive accessories subject to approval by the Committee.

4. Proposal of Scientific Method

Instead of endless philosophical discussion to prove a point, experiment becomes the final arbitrator of truth. The essence of science is the scientific method. The following is a simply stated version of the scientific method:

1. State the Problem
2. Form a Hypothesis (an educated guess)
3. Conduct experiments
4. Interpret data and draw conclusions (may need to start back at #2)
5. Formulate a Theory

5. Reference Material

Applicants need to submit a literature review of the material regarding the proposed topic. This section of the application need not to be lengthy, but will be used by the R&D committee in support of, or validate the need for, the proposed R&D project. Do not hesitate to reference basic material, however, be specific in regard to pages or chapters that are applicable. If the referenced literature, pamphlet, or fliers are not common or easily attainable, you must provide photocopy of the applicable material.

6. Current Resume or CV

Include a resume for each AFTE member participating in the R&D project.