Congratulations to John “Jay” Tobin, Ph.D., Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Stevenson University Online, who recently was honored by earning an invitation to become an affiliate member of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC). Dr. Tobin will be part of the Gunshot Residue (GSR) Subcommittee, one of the OSAC’s 25 subcommittees. Dr. Tobin will bring his excess of 38 years of experience in forensic science, previously working as a Chief Chemist at the Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory as well as being a former Director of the Forensic Sciences Division at the Department of State Police.
According to the OSAC website, “OSAC is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), but the great majority of its more than 550 members are from other government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. These members have expertise in twenty-five specific forensic disciplines, as well as general expertise in scientific research, measurement science, statistics, law, and policy.” This indicates a wide range of diversity and experience, which can help the pace at which the OSAC develops and improves standards. The GSR subcommittee specifically works with standards and guidelines regarding the analysis of evidence resulting from gunshot residue, which Dr. Tobin will be able to contribute to and ultimately benefit with his experience.