Kris Cano

Career: Acts as technical advisor concerning all forensic matters within the Police Department. Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Forensic Services Division staff including training, scheduling, hiring decisions, written performance evaluations, work with employees to correct deficiencies and implement discipline procedures. Oversees the supervision of the managers of the Crime Laboratory Section, the Crime Scene Section, Quality Assurance Section and the Evidence Control Section. Observes and reviews the work of staff to ensure conformance with established procedures and safety standards. Develops and administers division rules, policies, procedures and protocol. Directs individual accomplishment towards organizational objectives. Assists staff in resolving difficult technical or procedural obstacles encountered during the research, development or administrative process. Acts as department liaison with all organizations having forensic related interest. Organizes and directs operations in forensics, including projects, policy interpretations and administrative procedures. Assists with and administers the division budget. Orders and performs physical inventories of division equipment and supplies. Determines compliance with prescribed operating and safety standards. Oversees the training and monitoring of employees on safety procedures and correct use of equipment and chemicals. Ensures all division programs are in compliance with Federal, State and City regulations. Renders scientific and technical support in criminal and administrative investigations. Responds to crime scenes to assist in the proper application of forensic procedures as needed. Establishes strategic planning goals and objectives.

Education:  Kris has a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of South Florida.

Professional Accomplishments:  She has been an active member and participant in the forensic community.  She has and is currently participating in organizations that are developing standards for forensic science.  She has been an assessor with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).  In addition, she is also served as an independent auditor with the National Forensic Science Training Center (NFSTC).  In addition to her auditing experience, she remains involved in the forensic community by her participating in the National Institute of Justice Technical Working Group for Research and Development for DNA and as a Grant Reviewer.  She has also served on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) for 5 years (2010-2015) and is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists (AAFS).  She is the current Chair of the AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB) Consensus Body for DNA, a standard development organization.  She served as the Vice Chair of the Quality Infrastructure Committee (QIC) on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for three years and was appointed to the Biology Scientific Area Committee (SAC) as Vice Chair in 2017.

Community Engagement:  Kris has served on the Scottsdale Leadership Board of Directors and Core Program Committee.  She has also been involved with the Special Olympics and Charitable Campaign for the City of Scottsdale.  Kris is currently serving on the One N Ten board and is a committee member on the governance committee.