Just popping into MPSIMS to give a belated thanks to everyone who sent me emails and e-cards and whatnot over the past couple of months. I haven’t been able to thank you all individually so I figured I’d make a general announcement.
I’m still doing DNA work, but instead of wading through tissue samples from two mass disasters I’m now being trained to work on crime scene evidence from homicides and sexual assaults. So I’m feeling better that I’m potentially helping to convict murders and rapists (and exonerate the innocent) rather than merely being the Grim Reaper’s personal accountant.
Anyways, the whole thing was an intense but amazing experience. I was fortunate to do some good at a time when people wanting to help any way they could had to be turned away. We’ve helped to ID almost every victim of the AA crash. And while the number of positively ID’d WTC victims exceeds 400 at last count, 50 of those were ID’d solely based on the DNA profiles we got from the bodies. These are people who couldn’t have been positively identified otherwise.
A few weeks back we took a picture of the couple hundred or so people involved with the post-mortem investigations going on at the Medical Examiner’s office. Criminalists, ME’s, DMORTs, and members of service from all over the area. We’re sending it to corporations who donated money and equipment and individuals who sent letters of support. If I can get my hands on a scanner and webspace to upload it to, I’ll do so and post the link for youse guys. It’s great. Due to my stature I stick out like a gangrenous thumb.
So I’m currently being trained to fight crime. I’m working on small, but quite real, cases right now and I have to prepare for a mock trial where a fake defense attorney will be doing everything in his power to make me look like an incompetent hack on the stand. I’ll be busy with that but I plan on having more of a presense on this board. I figure shooting the shit with hardcore brainpans could only benefit me. Plus I’ve been neglecting real life friends of mine, as well as the virtual peanut gallery. So I gotta do what I can to resuscitate those relationships. Good thing I hang with low maintenence people…
Again, thanks for the virtual pat on the back. Made things that much easier. When I get time, I got a lot of good stories. The first to buy me beer will be the first to hear them.
Whoa. I did not know you were a forensic biologist. I am duly impressed. (I am a big fan of CourtTV and the “Forensic Files” on Discovery [or whatever channel it’s on] - always kinda wished I had gone into that kind of career instead of music.)
Keep up the good work, don’t let the b@st@rd defense attornies mow you down, and stop by Orlando any time - I’d be happy to buy you a beer and listen to your stories.
Oh boy. I can’t wait to see you all dolled up in the uniform. Cape, Crime Fighting Goggles. And I mustn’t forget the boots.
I have first dibs on the Alphagene trading card.
I am glad to hear you are doing well. Terriffic work the past few months. If I were in New York, I would be trampling to get in line to buy you a beer.
(Just one, mr greedy alckyman.)
pat
ps:
Anywhere on your desk do you have a picture of Jack Klugman?
i’m glad to hear you are hanging in there. i bet y’all have nifty capes on the crime fighting team. it must feel great to be able to help those who’s voices have been silenced get justice.
Even though we’ve never really met (I did glimpse you ever so briefly from across the room at the July 'fest, but you vanished so quickly I thought you were just an apparition), you have been in my thoughts from time to time. I’m glad to hear you’re doing OK. Keep up the good work, and I hope to actually meet you at the January do.
Methinks there will be a lot of competition to buy that beer for ya at the January Dopefest – let’s see, there’s over 50 people scheduled to attend, and bars close at 4 am, hmmmm, yep, I think you can do it if you keep up a good clip of 7 beers per hour. And you deserve a heck of a lot more.
Alphagene, I’m glad yer gasping up for air.Not that I’d ever doubt it! Go on wit yer bad ass eye piercing low-voce-Back OFF-I’m-A-Scientist-Thang! MMmm, works with good reason.
See ya when whenever Lou. Keep kickin’ the proverbial Dano Ass…
I had not a clue you had a thing to do with Forensic Biology.
I studied Forensic Anthropology in College. I deceided locksmithing was a better carrier choice :rolleyes: Well, was what I thought at the time. Sheeh… ok shut up.
Anyway, The Mock court thingie can be a bitch or kind of fun. I have gone thru a few of them. I am currently working towards certification as a Forensic Locksmith.
Glad to see you are enjoying it. I found it facinating and challenging.
You’ve been on my mind a lot lately, Alphagene. Good to hear that you’re getting something resembling a rest. I’ll be in New York at the fest too, and I will most certainly set aside a few bucks for to get you a beer. Oh yeah.
Alpha, as you may be able to tell, your money will be no good at the January shin-dig. I will personally ensure that. I am glad for you that you are doing a job with better probable outcomes, getting rid of that kind of trash, and protecting those not guilty, is a VERY good job, no matter what the pay. Your Karma balance looks pretty good, I’d lay odds. Mock trials with (ahem) defense attourneys, should help. Please study Dennis Fung as a “how not to” case study.
Alpha, you’re a true hero. When I read in your OP that 50 of the WTC victims could only be id’ed by DNA, I was chilled. You’ve brought much-needed closure to those families.
Looks like you’ll be the man o’ the hour at the Jan. fest, and rightly so. I’d just like to add my own hearty huzzah and a hi-yo Silver.
Please tell me she is! Nothing would make me happier. Except, of course, seeing you back here.
Keep up the good work. I envy you. Well, not envy per se, but that’s the kind of thing I’d like to do if I weren’t so damn scientifically challenged.
