FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
December 20, 2017
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(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
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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 of
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.
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