2018 IAI Conference
See you there!
Shooting Incident Reconstruction, Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa Police Department hosted the Shooting Incident Reconstruction course in April 2018. Shoveling snow and ice off range was a new experience, but it all worked. Great group of people.
Death Investigation, Fairfax County, Virginia
Premiered our new course for a large class of well-trained investigators. Real challenge to bring them something they could add to their ‘bag of tools’. Very impressive organization and facility. Hope to visit them again soon.
24th NEDIAI Training Conference
In December 2017, we attended the New England Division IAI Conference in Portsmouth, NH, where we presented workshops on bloodstain pattern recognition and shooting reconstruction. 
We also presented lectures on avoiding context bias and a major double homicide case reconstruction. Our IAI hosts were very friendly and supportive and we thoroughly enjoyed the conference. Portsmouth, established in the early 1600s, has maintained its historical charm and is an awesome place to visit!
2017 IABPA Training Conference
On the road again …. this time through the western states to the Pacific Ocean! Drove from snow country to palm trees in a day! The IABPA has a special meaning for us, so well worth the trip.
102nd IAI Training Conference
August 7-11, 2017, Atlanta GA
Iris and Gary presented a Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) Workshop and a lecture “Context Bias”.
The BPA workshop was provided hands-on identification of bloodstain patterns, bloodstain pattern terminology, and discussion of documentation of bloodstains at the crime scene.
Context and confirmation bias can skew the analysis of objective evidence, alter conclusions, and impede the quest for the truth. Bias can lead to 
misstated and overstated conclusions of various pattern evidence including bloodstain patterns and impression evidence. We examined context and confirmation bias in historical case examples and discussed methods to prevent bias from creeping into investigative and evidence analysis.
Beautiful view from the hotel.
2017 Conference of Association of Crime Scene Reconstruction (ACSR)
February 7-9, 2017, Black Hawk CO
Iris and Gary presented three programs at the recent ACSR conference.
The first was a Workshop entitled “ Bullets Never Lie”, which explored trajectory analysis of abnormal surfaces in shooting scenes. Accurate trajectory analysis is critical to evaluating positions and evidentiary relationships between shooter, scene, victim and other evidence. Through lecture and practical exercises, attendees practiced methods to evaluate less-common trajectory scenarios including non-perforating wall defects, automobile sheet metal ricochets, and irregularly shaped objects. The 4-hour workshop was provided twice with a total of 36 persons attending.
The Graffs also provided a lecture entitled “Using Graphics in Analysis”. The presentation explored and demonstrated the application of free or inexpensive graphic tools to case management and reconstruction analysis. Basic office suite software, Gimp, Sweet Home 3D Poser, and Virtual Analysis were demonstrated as aids for organizing, evaluating, and reconstructing evidentiary relationships.
The third program was a lecture on report writing. The premise of the lecture was our reports are a reflection of us: our competence, ability and professionalism. Tips were presented to assist in preparing reports that will reflect the best in us.
Shooting Reconstruction Testing Range Under Construction
Iris and Gary are constructing an outdoor facility for testing shooting scenarios and developing experimental design. Also included will be an area for sharpening marksmanship skills. The backdrop is a 30 foot wall of shale which is more than sufficient for a back stop.
The first phase, now completed, was building a road to the location. This year, plans are to finish clearing and leveling the location.
Gary and Iris both have their favorite “toys” used for working o
n the project.
Iris’s mini-excavator, known as “Opie”, is great for tidying up excavation work, stacking or cutting logs for firewood, or general purpose site work. The biggest challenge is getting Iris away from the machine once she gets started.
Gary’s old Ford backhoe, known as “Aunt B”, was Gary’s first acquisition. Now it is used primarily as a front end loader, although it can be used for digging in a pinch.
Gary’s big excavator, acquired in 2016, can do just about anything. It is primarily used for digging rock and shale for building roads. It is also great for pulling stumps.
The bulldozer, known as “Andy”, is used primarily to grade the roads and will be used to level the new test range.
