FSIO Meeting Minutes 2025

Meeting Minutes for the Forensic Science Institute of Ohio

A Meeting of the FSIO was called to order at 10:03 am, on March 13, 2025, at the Ohio Fire Academy, Room 2303, 8895 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. President Dan Baker (Franklin Co.) presided over the meeting.

The following Members and guests were also present in person or via Microsoft Teams: Cody Braley (Canton-Stark Co.), Bob Budgake (Canton/Stark-Retired), Nasir Butt (Cuyahoga Co.), David Cogan (Toledo), Tammy Darden (State Fire Marshal), Brooke Ehlers (Miami Valley), Catherine Dasenbrock (USFDA), Tim Elliget (Central Ohio Regional Crime Lab-Newark), Kylie Graham (BCI- Richfield), Mark Hiatt (New Orleans), Harmeet Kaur (Cuyahoga Co.), Brian Scowden (Hamilton Co.), Heather Sheskey (OSHP), Jim Smith (OSHP), Lynne Strainic (BCI-London), Jennifer Watson (Miami Valley), Brandon Werry (OSHP), Chad Wissinger (State Fire Marshal), Jennifer Yoak (Miami Valley) and Mengliang Zhang (Ohio U.)  A quorum was present. Eleven (11) of the sixteen (16) eligible voters attended.

Secretary Budgake presented the minutes of the December 12, 2024, Annual Meeting.  The minutes were reviewed and approved. Motion, Jim Smith; Second, Chad Wissinger.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

Chad Wissinger proffered the Treasurer’s report. Chad disclosed that the FSIO has a checking, PayPal and savings account balance of $28,910 and a Tong Award’s Fund balance of $37,959.

Old Business:

Dan Baker and Brooke Ehlers have organized a free one-hour virtual workshop regarding lab efficiency, scheduled for March 24^th, 10am, via Microsoft Teams. Brooke intends to discuss their experience with a 32-hour workweek and Dan will share efficiency strategies disseminated at the ASCLD Leadership Academy.

New Business:

Bob Budgake presented the Membership applications of Tammy Darden (State Fire Marshal Quality Manager), Catherine Dasenbrock (USFDA Lab Director), Tim Elliget (Central Ohio Regional Crime Lab-Newark Lab Director) and Dawn Fryback (Mansfield DNA Tech Leader).  Additionally, Bob presented the Associate Membership applications of Mark Hiatt (New Orleans Crime Lab Deputy Director), Amber Raines (Franklin Co. Coroner Assistant Toxicologist) and the Emeritus application of Tony Tambasco (retiring Mansfield Lab Director). Motion to approve the applications, Bob Budgake; Second, Chad Wissinger. All Members voted in the affirmative.

Treasurer Wissinger advised that he has sent out the FSIO 2025 dues invoices.  Chad shared that most of the invoices have already been paid.   

Brandon Werry revealed that Dan Baker and himself audited both the 2024 FSIO and Tong Award Fund financial records and found everything in order.

Jennifer Watson announced that they are hosting a tri-state drug analyst meeting in Dayton, on April 28^th. They expect representatives from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.  Currently they have received 49 registrations. Jennifer asked the FSIO to consider paying for lunch for possibly ninety attendees. Motion to pay the lunch costs, up to $1,500, Brandon Werry; Second, Jim Smith.  All Members voted in the affirmative.  President Baker asked that Jennifer share the meeting announcement with Secretary Budgake, so that he can distribute to all the Ohio facilities, in case anyone was inadvertently left out.

A discussion ensued regarding future training proposals. Dan Baker previously suggested that the use of artificial intelligence in forensics might be a possibility.  Brandon Werry shared that at AAFS, a discussion was held regarding DEA utilizing an in-house AI scan to assist in technical reviews.  They indicated that this approach dramatically reduced the hand back rates for these reports.  Brandon indicated that he would follow up on getting more information regarding this topic. Dan Baker reminded the group of the MAFS meeting in Columbus, August 25-29.

The next meeting of the FSIO will be 10 am, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio, with the option of attending via Microsoft Teams.  Motion, Tim Elliget; Second, Chad Wissinger.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 am. Motion, Brandon Werry; Second, Chad Wissiger.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert E. Budgake, Secretary, FSIO

Meeting Minutes for the Forensic Science Institute of Ohio

A Meeting of the FSIO was called to order at 10:05 am, on June 12, 2025, at the Ohio Fire Academy, Room 2303, 8895 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Treasurer Chad Wissinger (State Fire Marshal)  presided over the meeting.

The following Members and guests were also present in person or via Microsoft Teams: Cody Braley (Canton-Stark Co.), Bob Budgake (Canton/Stark-Retired), David Cogan (Toledo), Tammy Darden (State Fire Marshal), Brooke Ehlers (Miami Valley), Tim Elliget (Central Ohio Regional Crime Lab-Newark), Travis Falconer (USFDA), Kaitlyn Nicholson (Montgomery Co.), Brian Scowden (Hamilton Co.), Heather Sheskey (OSHP), Jami St. Clair (ANAB/Columbus-Retired), Lynne Strainic (BCI-London), LeAnne Suchanek (Lake Co.), Jennifer Yoak (Miami Valley) and Mengliang (Mike) Zhang (Ohio U.)  A quorum was present. Twelve (12) of the eighteen (18) eligible voters attended.

Secretary Budgake presented the minutes of the March 13, 2025, Meeting.  The minutes were reviewed and approved. Motion, Tim Elliget; Second, Tammy Darden.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

Chad Wissinger proffered the Treasurer’s report. Chad disclosed that the FSIO has a checking, PayPal and savings account balance of $27,900 and a Tong Award’s Fund balance of $40,380.

Old Business:

Dan Baker (Franklin Co.) and Brooke Ehlers organized a free one-hour virtual workshop regarding lab efficiency, on March 24, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. Dan Baker was not present to provide the final assessment of this offering.

Brooke Ehlers, on behalf of Jennifer Watson (Miami Valley), revealed that they hosted a tri-state drug analyst meeting in Dayton, on April 28, 2025. The FSIO provided lunch for this event. They had eighty (80) representatives from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Brooke indicated that this meeting was a huge success, with very positive feedback and thought it would be beneficial to offer this again in the future.

New Business:

At the last meeting, Brandon Werry (OSHP) shared that at AAFS, a discussion was held regarding DEA utilizing an in-house AI scan to assist in technical reviews.  Per Heather Sheskey, Brandon researched this matter.   He thought that utilizing this current technology would be more cumbersome than beneficial.

Lynne Strainic queried the membership regarding interest in organizing an ANAB technical assessor training course.  A lengthy discussion ensued. There appeared to be sufficient interest to research organizing such an offering.  Jami St. Clair shared that currently, the course format has both an online and in-person requirements.  Next year, it will be a five-day all-in-person course. Jami also indicated that MAFS was contemplating offering this in Columbus this year, at their annual meeting. Jami wasn’t certain this course made the final cut (Note: Since, the writer has verified with MAFS that this topic will NOT be offered at their Columbus meeting in August). Lynne volunteered to research the possibility of FSIO sponsoring such a course and will report back with a recommendation.  Jami offered Lynne assistance regarding this endeavor.

The next meeting of the FSIO will be 10 am, Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio, with the option of attending via Microsoft Teams.  Motion, Bob Budgake; Second, Chad Wissinger.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 am. Motion, Bob Budgake; Second, Chad Wissinger.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert E. Budgake, Secretary, FSIO

Meeting Minutes for the Forensic Science Institute of Ohio

A Meeting of the FSIO was called to order at 10:09 am, on September 11, 2025, at the Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  President Dan Baker (Franklin County Coroner’s Office) presided over the meeting.

Attending in person or via MS teams - Chad Wissinger (State Fire Marshall), Cody Braley (Canton-Stark), Brooke Ehlers (Miami Valley Regional), Harmeet Kaur (Cuyahoga County), Kylie Graham (BCI&I), Jonathan Litzau (FDA), Nasir Butt (Cuyahoga County), Kaitlyn Nicholson (Miami Valley Regional), Jami St. Clair (retired), Leanne Suchanek (Lake County), Jennifer Yoak (Miami Valley Regional), Mengliang Zhang (Ohio University), Dan Baker (Franklin County Coroner’s Office), Heather Sheskey (OSHP), Tim Elliget (Central Ohio Regional), Jeff Lynn (Bowling Green University), Lynne Strainic (BCI&I), Amber Raines (Franklin County Coroner’s Office), Jennifer Hobbs (Franklin County Coroner’s Office), Angela Farrington (Columbus PD), and Meredith Sweeney (Columbus PD).  A quorum was present.  Fourteen (14) of the eighteen (18) eligible voters attended.

The meeting minutes of the June 12, 2025 were presented.  Motion to accept minutes by Chad Wissinger, Second, Tim Elliget.  All Members voted in the affirmative.

Chad Wissinger reviewed the Treasurer’s report.  No approval of the report was necessary.

Dan Baker discussed the Efficiency Workshop training course.  The course was well received.  Certificates had not been sent out.  There was no feedback given at the meeting as to whether certificates were desired.  It was then decided by Baker to issue and send out certificates to the attendees.

Lynne Strainic stated that there was enough interest to have an ANAB assessor training course.  Dan Baker and Heather Sheskey are also interested in having the training for staff members.  Jami St. Clair stated that she would give Lynne Strainic the contact information for her to initiate scheduling a training.

Chad Wissinger indicated an interest in having FSIO offset the training cost for attendees.

Meredith Sweeney stated that they looked into ANAB through the Fall 2025 MAFS conference.  MAFS could not accommodate a deal with ANAB.  Sweeney stated there was interest regionally in having the training.

Jami St. Clair stated, in her experience as an instructor, that 30 students would be the maximum class size that could be reasonably accommodated.  Dan Baker indicated FY 2026 would be a likely possibility to schedule an assessor training, Lynne Strainic/ Heather Sheskey concurred.  Strainic will give Baker a quote and follow-up information regarding the training.

Membership applications – Chad Wissinger presented Dr. Crystal Oeschle associate membership application (professor as BGSU); Jeff Lynn recommending for membership.

Chad Wissinger motion to approve; Angela Farrington provided a second motion.  Motion was approved, membership was accepted.

Dan Baker strongly encouraged FSIO memberships from labs to keep memberships coming in.

He suggested it would be advantageous if FSIO can do more, like a social hour.

Angela Farrington suggested adding FSIO members to an FSIO membership list on the FSIO website.  Chad Wissinger proposed sending out an email asking members if they want to be included on a published list.

A recommendation was made by Jennifer Hobbs to have a separate website from BGSU. Chad Wissinger stated a website would need to have someone step up and administrate it.

Angela Farrington proposed that a website could be used to advertise jobs/ Heather Sheskey added this could be used to advertise internships.  Dan Baker advocated creating a job board tab and membership list on FSIO website through BGSU.  Lynne Strainic mentioned the listserv with CLIC, and believes that membership with CLIC is substantial due to being a source of good technical information.

Mengliang Zhang inquired if kratom is an interesting topic.  Lynne Strainic said BCI&I is doing method development and discussed waiting on the Federal government to make a move on scheduling kratom.   Ohio University is asking if any labs have samples to donate for research.  Strainic stated that she will put OU into contact with providing samples.

The next meeting will be December 11, 2025 at the Ohio Fire Academy.

Wissinger submitted a motion to adjourn.  Jeff Lynn gave a second motion, subsequent unanimous vote to close the meeting.  The meeting adjourned approximately 10:45am.

Respectfully submitted,

Heather Sheskey, FSIO Member