ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

Matt Boster

Viewed: 1780

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Dec 20 2017 11:26 AM

MONTGOMERY:  Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today the appointment of Angelo Della Manna, of Hoover, to become director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) effective January 1, 2018. He most recently served as the department’s deputy director.

“It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of Angelo Della Manna as director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Angelo brings to the position considerable experience and leadership as both a veteran of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and a nationally recognized authority in the field of forensic science. His extensive background in the Department of Forensic Sciences will ensure that the vital laboratory and death investigation services provided to state and local law enforcement will continue to be of the highest caliber.”

Under state law, the Attorney General appoints the director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Attorney General Marshall was assisted in his appointment by a screening committee.  His appointment is subject to final approval by the State Personnel Board and Governor Kay Ivey. Della Manna replaces Director Michael Sparks who is retiring effective December 31, 2017.

Della Manna expressed appreciation at being selected and looked forward to guiding the state forensics professions in their mission. “I am both humbled and excited to be selected by General Marshall as the next leader of one of the premier forensic science agencies in this country. My staff of forensic science professionals and I will remain focused on the critical role we have in the justice system as the only internationally accredited provider of forensic science services in Alabama, as we collectively strive to help make Alabama safer, each and every day.”

Della Manna began his service with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in 1993 where he worked on over 2,000 complex forensic cases ranging from burglary to capital murder, built a national leading forensic DNA program, assisted the Department in achieving International Laboratory Accreditation for the first time in its history, and secured and managed over $25 million in federal grant awards to-date.

He was elected to serve on the FBI’s five-person Executive Board for DNA Analysis methods where he helped draft and implement new Standards for the Forensic DNA community. He also served as vice chair of the Biology/DNA Scientific Area Committee of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in developing new scientific standards in forensics. Della Manna holds a bachelor in science degree in chemistry from the University of Toronto and a master of science in forensic science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Among his official duties, the ADFS director oversees the State’s forensic sciences program, directs the work of agency investigative, scientific and medical personnel at the central office location as well as field offices and labs throughout the state, and is responsible for the overall comprehensive and technical training program for all agency staff.

 

 

<- back