President's Message

October, 06 2009

Dear Members,

I would personally like to congratulate the organisers of the Geneva meeting. With 500 registrations, 24 exhibitors and a full scientific program I'm sure all attendees not only thoroughly enjoyed themselves but also enjoyed a productive scientific and social program. There were delegates from 60 countries. This was most encouraging particularly from countries that have not had attendees previously. I hope this can continue for upcoming meetings.

Congratulations to the award winners: Dr Vina Spiehler (Allan Curry), Dr Robert Kronstrand (Achievement). Well deserved. Well done also to the winners of the Young Scientists awards.

The TIAFT board have approved enhancements to the web site. These changes include the ability to set up a personal page for each member with individual passwords and ability to include photos, videos and other information for each member. These changes will enable a database of members to be used by Treasurer (and others) and members will be able to check on their membership status and annual dues payments. It is anticipated that the revised web will be available by the end of the year. Currently a few members are testing the changes.

Frank Peters has taken over as chair of the Young Scientists Committee and Madeleine Montgomery is now secretary. Jochen Beyer (AUS) and Sarah Wille (BEL) join the YSC with Sooyeun Lee (KOR), Simon Elliott (UK), Federica Bortolotti (ITA) and Helena Teixeira (POR).

The members voted for Dr Helena Teixeira to host the 2014 annual TIAFT meeting in Madeira, a Portuguese island of the coast of West Africa. Congratulations to Helena and her organising committee.

The new Bulletin editors Drs Dimitri Gerostamoulos and Jochen Beyer have produced a wonderful edition of the bulletin, due some time in October. I'm sure they will welcome your feedback.

Until next time, sincerely

Olaf Drummer
TIAFT President

Olaf H. Drummer PhD(med) ARCPA MRACI CChem
Head (Forensic & Scientific Services)
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Adjunct Professor,
Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Monash University, 57-83 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, 3006, AUSTRALIA
e-mail: olaf@vifm.org