2018 President's Message
Greetings!
I want to start this message with some well-deserved acknowledgements and thanks. I want to say thank you to the Board and to the MNIAI members for giving me the opportunity to serve for the last four years and to represent this organization as its President this year. I especially would like to say 'thank you' to its appointed members; Jen Jaspersen, Janet Nelson, Mark Uttermark, and Pat Warrick for helping me learn, as this was my first foray into being a part of any Board. I appreciate the advice, tips, and insight you were able to give me. I also want to acknowledge the work of the former Presidents as I know all the effort they gave into putting on a quality conference each and every year. For many of us in this field, this is the only conference we are able to attend and for that we are appreciative to be able to have these. I hope to continue that track record.
I have only two goals for the short time that I am here. The first being to convince more of you to become involved with the parent body and our Division. When I asked to be sponsored for the Board back in the fall of 2013, I did it purposely to throw myself into a situation that made me uncomfortable. I used to avoid things like this, but I knew that doing this would help me personally grow within this field. More importantly, it forced me to make contacts within the forensic community. This in itself has paid dividends. It allows you to reach out more easily to those doing the same thing as you. It gives you contacts and connections when you need help or advice. Lastly and hopefully, you contribute a portion of your own knowledge to the larger entity, helping the organization move forward.
My second goal is pretty obvious. It is to put on a good conference for our members. One of my favorite things about this career is the training that I do for the new Forensic Scientists coming into the Crime Lab Unit. I love to train and be a small part of the development of those individuals new to this field. There is something very rewarding about teaching others about the fluid nature of our career and how to navigate it with the skills they acquire. That being said, my focus for the conference will be on training. I hope to bring in speakers, presenters, and trainers that will cross over multiple areas in latent prints and crime scene. I want this conference to succeed in bringing in a wider variety of practitioners from across the state.
With that, I wish you Happy Holidays and to stay safe as we enter the New Year.
Thank you!
MNIAI 2018 President
Mark Ulrick
Minneapolis Police Department, Crime Lab