Original Release Date: March 12, 2021
In episode eight of the 2021 Illicit Substance Use Response season, Just Science interviews DeMia Pressley from the DEA’s Diversion Control Division to discuss the importance of information sharing across law enforcement and public health agencies through forensic partnerships.
The National Forensic Laboratory Information System, otherwise known as NFLIS, is a Drug Enforcement Administration program that collects results of forensic analyses and other related information from local, regional, and national entities. What sets NFLIS apart from other similar programs is that participation 100% voluntary. As such, DeMia Pressley and other members of NFLIS work hard to collect information and share what they have learned with the forensic community. Listen along as our guest discusses the purpose of the NFLIS program, the importance of partnerships within the forensic community, and how NFLIS data is used to inform drug policy and drug enforcement initiatives in this episode of Just Science.
This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.
This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].
View or download the episode transcript here:
Transcript
Guest Biography
DeMia Pressley joined the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division in 2006. She is the program officer for the National Forensic Laboratory Information Management System (NFLIS) and has been influential in expanding the program from its focus on drug exhibits to collecting data to ante and post mortem toxicology. Ms. Pressley works with local, federal, and international partners to improve data quality and foster data sharing among various stakeholders. Prior to her work with Diversion Control, Ms. Pressley was forensic chemist with the DEA laboratory system and a Presidential Management Fellow. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and serves on the federal Medicolegal Death Investigation Working Group.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this podcast episode are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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