Fancy Seeing You Here!
Dear TIAFT Members, I was recently at the 2019 Annual Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Baltimore, Maryland. I earned my doctoral degree in toxicology blocks away from where the conference was held, so the meeting had some special meaning to me. But, more importantly, I was pleased to see so many […]
Resolving to do Better in 2019!
Dear TIAFT Members, Happy New Year! With each New Year, many of us resolve to change. Whether it is to lose weight, exercise more, cutting back on a bad habit, or becoming a better person, research has found that when we share our New Year resolutions with others, we become more accountable and are more […]
Buenos Aires in the World’s Spotlight… Once Again
Dear TIAFT Members, In late November, some of the world’s current leaders descended upon Buenos Aires, Argentina in order to work towards common goals to better the world. I’m not referring to the G-20 Summit, but instead I am talking about the Latin American Regional Meeting of TIAFT. This was the fourteenth year for a […]
“Your voice is my voice” (Mustafa Kemal Atatürk)
Dear TIAFT Members, I was lucky to be able to participate in the most recent TIAFT Regional Meeting in Cappadocia, Turkey. Congratulations to the Meeting Chairs, Serap Annette Akgür and Nebile Dağlıoğlu, as well as their entire organizing team for another successful regional meeting in Turkey. I appreciate their relentless dedication to helping TIAFT achieve […]
To Meet an Old Friend in a Distant Country is Like the Delight of Rain After a Long Drought
Dear TIAFT Members, As I write this, I am on my way home from another wonderful TIAFT Conference. Many thanks go to Sarah Wille, Christophe Stove, and the entire Belgian Team for putting together a magnificent scientific program and exceptional social event. It truly was as promised – “Addictive Days and Toxic Nights”. For those […]
Navigation and Our Upcoming TIAFT Meetings
Dear TIAFT Members, By now, the majority of TIAFT Members have decided if they will be able to join us for the 2018 Annual Meeting in Ghent, Belgium that begins on August 26th. Our hosts, Sarah Wille and Christophe Stove, are in the final leg of the race that will ensure that this year’s conference […]
The Man Behind the Curtain!
Dear TIAFT Members, In a famous scene from The Wizard of Oz, Toto reveals the true identity of the “Great and Powerful Oz” as a mild-mannered man pulling on control levers and turning the wheels that operate a grander figure. Later this man explains to Dorothy and her companions: “Back where I come from there […]
“Well begun is half done.” – Aristotle
Dear TIAFT Members, Last week, the TIAFT Board of Directors held its Mid-Year Meeting in conjunction with a Regional TIAFT Meeting in Greece. Both meetings were huge successes. But before I share information about these meetings, let me explain this month’s quote. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, authored an eight-book treatise that described the importance of […]
Don’t miss the deadline
Dear TIAFT Members, Believe it or not, we are just a few months from our next annual TIAFT Conference. This year’s meeting will be in Ghent, Belgium and our hosts, Sarah Wille and Christophe Stove, are working very hard to make this another memorable TIAFT experience. One of the key benefits for our members comes […]
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin Dear TIAFT Members, Benjamin Franklin was one of the “Founding Fathers” of the United States and known for his many contributions as a politician, author, scientist, inventor, printer, postmaster, civic activist, and humorist. He has been credited with “inventing the type of society […]
The Team that Gets Off to a Good Start, Wins Pennants
Dear TIAFT members, The above quote is from John McGraw, a famous U.S. baseball player from the early 20th century who went on to become one of baseball’s most successful managers. McGraw knew the importance of a team starting off on the right foot in order to have success. In that regard, I am happy […]
Strategy is the Key to TIAFT’s Success
Dear TIAFT members, What an honor it is to know that this organization and its members have the trust in me to serve as its President for the next three years. I promise to do my very best to represent all of you in a positive manner while in this role. Past-President Heesun Chung did […]
Surprise!!! I am writing my last message again
Dear TIAFT members, Surprise!!! I am writing my last message again. How lucky I am to write my last message as TIAFT president twice. Yes, this is truly the last one because there won’t be the Hurricane in wintertime and the 5th Joint SOFT-TIAFT meeting and the 55th TIAFT annual meeting is just around the […]
Report on three meetings
Dear TIAFT members, Winter is here in the northern hemisphere, and this means that we are going to meet very soon in Boca Raton. How lucky we are to meet in January in Florida, the sunshine state. Above all, next year will be very special for all TIAFT members, because we are going to meet […]
A very tough decision – Date rescheduled
Dear TIAFT members, As informed, the new date for the 5th SOFT –TIAFT joint meeting has been fixed. It will be 6-12 January. It will be a wonderful meeting for all TIAFT and SOFT members thanks to the great effort by our SOFT friends. Please come to Sunny and warm Boca Raton in Winter time […]
Three years have passed quickly, and this will be my last message to you
Dear TIAFT Members: Three years have passed quickly, and this will be my last message to you. It has truly been an honor and privilege for me to serve as the 13th president of TIAFT. I will hand over the presidency to Dr. Marc LeBeau during the joint SOFT-TIAFT meeting next month. I am sure […]
5th Joint Meeting of SOFT and TIAFT.
Dear TIAFT Members: I hope you all have a beautiful summer in the northern hemisphere and mild winter in the southern hemisphere. These days it is hot and humid here in Korea, and I miss the cold of winter very much. Our 55th meeting in Boca Raton is just two months away, and now it […]
Report from TIAFT regional meeting in Romania and future activities
Dear TIAFT Members: I have just arrived back in Korea from Romania where we had a delightful TIAFT regional meeting. The meeting was held with the Romanian Congress of Legal Medicine, and there were 230 participants from all over Romania. The organizing committee set the first day as the day of Forensic Toxicology. All board […]
In 2017, we have numerous excellent events ahead of us.
Dear TIAFT Friends, Last week, I was in the US to attend the 69th AAFS meeting in New Orleans and was delighted to meet many TIAFT and SOFT friends including 5 board members of TIAFT. As you know, the AAFS meeting was huge with more than 4,000 participants from 58 countries. The theme of this […]
Happy New Year 2017!
Dear TIAFT Friends, Happy New Year 2017! This is The Year of the Rooster in Korea and the year when you will need to work hard and be patient in order to achieve your goals. The Rooster years are known to be filled with integrity and efficiency. Hard work is the key to achieving success […]
Two TIAFT regional meetings in just three weeks
Dear TIAFT Members: I was privileged and delighted to attend two TIAFT regional meetings in just three weeks time from October to November. First, I attended the second TIAFT meeting in Turkey. The meeting was held under the leadership of Serap Annette Akgür and Nebile Daglioglu from 30 October to 2 November, 2016 in Antalya. […]
Back from Brisbane
Dear TIAFT Members: I proudly inform you that the 54th meeting in Brisbane from August 28 to September 1 was a great success. Through all of our wonderful meetings it is evident that we are making progress. The Brisbane meeting proved to be one of our best with 510 participants including 35 students from 46 […]
After UNODC meeting
Dear TIAFT Members: I greatly hope you all enjoy your summer if you’re in the northern hemisphere and winter if you’re in the southern hemisphere. As for the weather here in Korea, the rainy season has just begun and the rain is pouring down hard every day. Last month, I attended the 100th meeting of […]
After Cape Town
Dear TIAFT Members: The first regional meeting of TIAFT was held in Cape Town, South Africa with great success. Alicia Evans and her team organized the first meeting and there were 70 participants from all over South Africa including National Department of Health laboratories, South African Police laboratories, Academic University laboratories and students. Because the […]
Happy Easter, meetings, TIAFT Bulletin and much more…
Dear TIAFT Friends, Easter is coming soon and if you celebrate it I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday with your family. Last month, I attended the AAFS 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was good news at the meeting. Our treasurer, Robert Kronstrand received Ray Abermethy Award on Wednesday, February […]
Happy Lunar New Year to all of you!
Dear TIAFT Friends, Happy Lunar New Year to all of you! Isn’t it amazing to wish you Happy New Year twice in only two-months time? On Feb. 8th we will celebrate the Lunar New Year here in Korea. We consider this date as the real New Year. A tradition that you might find interesting is […]
Happy New Year 2016!
Dear TIAFT Friends, Happy New Year 2016! This is the year of the Monkey and we Koreans believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are wise, confident, charismatic, and have leadership ability. I hope all of us are also wise and that we always strive to develop and demonstrate leadership. I sincerely […]
TIAFT regional meeting in Arequipa, Peru
Dear TIAFT Members: From 16 to 18 November, the 11th regional TIAFT meeting was successfully hosted in Arequipa, Peru. Arequipa is Peru’s second most populous city and a UNESCO world Heritage site. It is a beautiful city of historic heritage, natural scenery, and important cultural sites with the Misti volcano on the city skyline. I […]
Wonderful memories of our time together in Florence
Dear TIAFT Members: Wasn’t it wonderful for 679 TIAFT friends and family from 63 countries to gather together for a whole week during our 53rd Annual TIAFT Meeting in Florence? The meeting proved to be one of our best TIAFT meetings ever thanks to our meeting president Elisabetta Bertol. I would like to thank her […]
Three reasons to enjoy the forthcoming meeting in Florence
Dear TIAFT Members: I am delighted to announce that you are going to meet 679 participants from 63 countries in Florence, Italy during the 53rd Annual Meeting of TIAFT. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Elisabetta Bertol for her leadership as the president of the 53rd meeting. You can be certain that […]
TIAFT regional meeting in the CIS and Central Asia
Dear TIAFT Members: I am delighted that we successfully completed the first regional meeting of TIAFT in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central Asia. I am also very proud of having the meeting in Uzbekistan, with 150 participants from 10 countries. Our first meeting helped us generate a great surge of momentum, not […]
What excellent events do we have to look forward to this year?
Dear TIAFT Friends, Greetings from Korea and Happy New Year! Based on the Chinese Zodiac 2015 is The Year of the Sheep. In Korea, the sheep is a symbol of peace, gentleness, and harmony. As such, I sincerely wish that 2015 brings you and your loved ones peace, harmony, happiness, and success. After coming back […]
My first message here as TIAFT President
Dear TIAFT friends, I am honored and privileged to serve as your 13th president. First of all, I would like to thank all members, former presidents and board members for your effort and passion to raise TIAFT up to where it is today. For the past 52 years your hard work, strong desire, and selfless […]
My last message here as TIAFT President
This is my last message here as TIAFT president. In November I will pass the presidency to Prof. Heesun Chung. This is the time to reflect on the period when I was TIAFT president. We had three great years, starting with the excellent meeting in San Francisco, the largest TIAFT meeting ever, followed by the […]
Approaching the triennial elections
Dear TIAFT members, As spring has arrived in the Northern hemisphere, it is time to look at the upcoming activities. Last week, many TIAFT members from the Middle East, as well as some from other parts of the world (six continents were represented) attended the Annual Conference of The International Association of Law and Forensic […]
A very successful year
The days are shortening (in the northern hemisphere) and Christmas decoration is starting to appear in the streets: this must be the end of the year 2013. TIAFT can look back on a very successful year: in April we celebrated our 50th anniversary with an excellent meeting in London. in September our annual meeting in […]
TIAFT celebrated its 50th anniversary
Dear TIAFT members, About a month ago TIAFT celebrated its 50th anniversary of TIAFT in the Guildhall in London. By all accounts this was an excellent meeting, superbly organised by the LTG. About 220 people attended, including 8 past, present and future TIAFT presidents. The scientific presentations on the history and state-of-the-art of different aspects […]
Toward TIAFT 50th Anniversary
Dear TIAFT members, Dear visitors to the website, In the final days of 2012, let us reflect on the year that is ending, where we had many highlights: the regional meeting in Moscow, attended by many scientists from Russia, the beautifully organised annual meeting in Japan and the 8 th Latin American regional meeting in […]
A new initiative to help laboratories in developing countries
Dear TIAFT members, It is nearly two months since our successful meeting in Hamamatsu, Japan, where we had 450 attendees from 47 countries. I was impressed with the perfect and smooth organisation of the meeting. For many of us this was the first visit to Japan, and I am sure many are hoping to go […]
Travel Grants for Japan TIAFT meeting
Dear members of TIAFT, As you can see the website has been completely renovated and it has a new look. The new look is very clean and easy to navigate and it was designed trying to give it the look of an old fashioned British newspaper. I hope you will like it. Doctor Gianpaolo Brusini, […]
Preparing TIAFT 50th Anniversary
Dear TIAFT member, A new Year has begun, and for our members in Asia, the Lunar New year is coming soon. For TIAFT, 2012 brings our annual meeting in Hamamatsu, Japan. Registration and abstract submission are now open, and I encourage you to register and submit your best work. I have visited Japan in the […]
TIAFT has a new Board
Three weeks ago, the annual meeting came to a close in San Francisco. It was a fantastic meeting with 1400 attendees, probably the largest forensic toxicology meeting ever. I would like to thank Nik Lemos, Ann-Marie Gordon, the organizing and scientific committees for making this meeting a big success. During the business meeting, a new […]
My last President’s message
Dear members This will be my last President’s message as I hand over to Professor Alain Verstraete during the combined SOFT/TIAFT meeting next month. I would like to thank all of our TIAFT members for your support and encouragement. I have certainly enjoyed my last 3 years as President and I’m sure Alain will look […]
Triennial elections for office bearers is approaching
Dear members As we draw closer to the next annual scientific meeting and our triennial elections for office bearers I would like to request that members nominate other members for positions on the board. Applications (with approval of the person being nominated) need to be sent (by e-mail at olaf@vifm.org) in advance of the meeting. […]
Back from Board Meeting in Zagreb, Croatia
Dear Members, Since my last message the TIAFT board had its annual main meeting in Zagreb, Croatia. Dr Miran Coklo, the local host, and new regional representative for Croatia, invited the board to Zagreb and organised a symposium on forensic toxicology for the region. Attendees at the 2-day symposium included people from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, […]
Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Dear Members, A few days ago on behalf of all members I extended our deepest sympathies to Professor Osamu Suzuki, the president of the Japanese Association of Forensic Toxicology and representative of the Japanese forensic toxicologists, on the enormous disaster that has occurred in Japan from the Earthquake and Tsunami. I am sure all of […]
Actions agreed at the last Board Meeting
Dear Members, As 2010 slowly draws to a close I would like to thank members for their membership of the association and their continued support including in particular members of our various committees. The revised website should be available to you within days. It will allow the ability to change content remotely without the need […]
Back from Bonn, it was a success!
The social program was spectacular and showcased the beauty and hospitability of the region. Thank you to Frank Musshoff and Hans Maurer and the staff of their respective laboratories and the wider organizing and scientific committees including Thomas Kraemer and Frank Peters for the scientific program and to Stefan Toennes for the web content. I […]
Development of a database to provide useful data for forensic toxicologists
Dear Members, The next meeting in Bonn is looming. I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. The organisers have so far had over 400 registrations (including 44 young scientists, 21 developing country members and 46 acompanying persons) and have scheduled 88 oral and 206 poster presentations. The social program looks […]
Recommendations/outcomes from the board meeting
Dear members, On the invitation of the Director Colonel Chimid Altankhishig of the Mongolian National Institute of Forensic Science the Board met in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The board were shown some of the sights of Ulaanbaatar and surrounding areas and were dined in both modern restaurants as well as traditional Gers. A workshop […]
A donation to TIAFT of Euros 80,000
Dear Members, Happy new year, particularly to those celebrating the lunar new year (Feb 3). Since my last note in November the Web Master has made active the new web-site. I hope as many of you as possible have had the opportunity to visit it and update your personal details. It will also allow you […]
First note for the year
Dear members, This is my first note for the year. The deadline for submission of abstracts is very close – please submit abstracts. Details are available on our web page. The organisers have put together a great program for Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven and the seat of the German parliament for almost 50 years. […]