Welcome to the new AC-DOJ home
-- President's Message

Date: 12/27/2006

In an ideal world, the Legislature and the Governor’s office would hold the work we do high and proud for all to see, and compensate us accordingly.

Unfortunately, we don't live in such a world. The Legislature has done its part, and our own boss, the Attorney General, has been incredibly supportive during his eight years in office. I've been given reason to believe our next AG will be just as supportive. Now it’s the Governor’s turn to do his part in maintaining the world-class forensic service we provide for millions of Californians.

One reason for this re-designed web site is traditional in serving to draw us closer together as a family and to serve as a clearinghouse for AC-DOJ members. Its other purpose is to draw some attention from the media and the public to the valuable work we perform. In short, we must start creating a little notoriety for ourselves, if we are to be heard.

Although some AC-DOJ members rightly scoff at television shows such as CSI, those broadcasts, and the multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns spent to sustain them, provide us with an opportunity to hitch our wagon to the fame being created about our profession. We intend to take full advantage of this golden moment and spread the word.

It is up to us to make this web site the living, vital organism it should be. For that reason, I need your ideas on some of the stories we should make a habit of posting. The AC-DOJ board will do its best to submit stories about our work, such as the expert testimony we give in a high-profile trial case, or an anniversary date of one of our long-serving members, or a piece on the latest technology, but we cannot do it all. We need your input, ideas, and – yes – criticism too.

This web site is an exciting new venture with which to begin the New Year. I hope you’ll join me in making it a success. Click on the 'Contact Us' button and drop us an e-mail with your thoughts.

Sincerely,

John Miller
President
Association of Criminalists
California Department of Justice
jm@jamiller.net
(916) 505-7133