Pre and post-conference workshops have been announced for the 32nd International Symposium on Human Identification. Topics covered include probabilistic genotyping, forensic genetic genealogy, leadership, cold cases, and more.
Registration is limited, so claim your spot early!
Shortened descriptions, dates, and costs are included below. For more information on any of the workshops, including speakers, visit our website.
Sunday, September 12
9:00 - 12:00
AABB Meeting
This workshop will address AABB accreditation related topics, including the accreditation process, Relationship Testing Standards, proficiency testing, validations, and calculations.
Cost
There is no charge for this workshop, but pre-registration is requested.
1:00 - 4:00
Practical Application of the Likelihood Ratio
This workshop will give the audience an introduction to the assignment of the likelihood ratios (LR) for single source and mixed DNA profiles. Attendees will become familiar with the mathematical models and calculations for LRs from probabilistic genotyping software. Advanced examples including LRs for small pedigrees will be explored. We will cover how to report LRs with emphasis on avoiding fallacies (including the transposed conditional or prosecutor’s fallacy). Worked examples will help the attendees understand the theoretical concepts. Attendees should have a solid understanding of algebra and bring a calculator to the workshop. Handouts will be provided.
Cost
$100
Monday, September 13
8:30 - 5:00
You Deserve a Cookie! Navigating The Challenging World of Leadership in Forensic Biology
Managers in forensic science are often ill-prepared for the demands of their job, as most originated from positions as autonomous analysts. Managing in a forensic DNA laboratory has its own unique complications. This interactive workshop is designed for individuals in these leader positions, offering them management and leadership tools that they can implement in their operations. The workshop will also offer attendees an opportunity to bring their own challenges and questions to their peer group for advice or solution. Instructional material includes: DiSC assessment, PowerPoints, resource lists, post-it-notes, and cookies.
Cost
Early Registration - $250
Standard Registration - $275
8:30 - 5:00
Unusual Collaboration and Techniques to Solve a Cold Case Homicide
Presentation of the challenges and obstacles faced in solving a 47 year old cold case kidnapping, sexual assault and homicide of an eleven year old girl. Unusual collaboration between numerous law enforcement agencies, medical examiner offices, forensic anthropologist, public and private forensic/DNA laboratories, unique investigative techniques and Genetic Genealogy were used to solve this case. Several generations of DNA technologies, CODIS, familial searching, genetic genealogy and human remains exhumation were utilized over sixteen years. Participants will benefit from lessons learned, new forensic approaches to solve cold cases as well as the requirements for successful prosecution of these cases.
Cost
Early Registration - $250
Standard Registration - $275
9:00 - 5:00
Grupo Cientifico Latino-Americano de Trabajo Sobre Identificacion Humana
This workshop will be held entirely in Spanish. Description and details on how to submit abstracts for consideration to follow.
Cost
Standard Registration - $100
Thursday, September 16
1:00 - 4:00
Lawyer Proof Your Lab
The last decade has brought about significant changes in forensic DNA analysis that are being challenged in courts across the country. As forensic technologies have become more sensitive, the threat of contamination has increased, and mixture interpretation has become more complex. To deal with this complexity, labs have implemented new statistical software that use probabilistic modelling. This has led to great changes in the language of expert opinions. There have also been significant changes in standards and best practices, including the FBI-QAS and the SWGDAM guidelines. In this workshop, independent forensic DNA experts will discuss some of the problems they see when reviewing work from laboratories around the country, and will offer methods to reduce common errors that result in courtroom challenges.
Cost
Early Registration - $190
Standard Registration - $210
1:00 - 4:00
Technological Considerations for Responsibly Implementing a Forensic Genetic Genealogy Workflow with NGS
Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) is a powerful tool for investigative lead generation for the identification of unknown remains, solving cold cases, and innocence projects. The FGG workflow combines a DNA profile generated using microarrays, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and/or targeted SNP sequencing methodologies with a database like GEDmatch PRO to identify genetic relatives and finally performing confirmatory testing with traditional STR assays. These data generation methods face inherent challenges typing SNPs across forensic samples such as skeletal remains (bones and teeth), sexual assault evidence and other body fluids which are frequently degraded, inhibited, and low input. The choice of data generation technologies, in turn, have implications for kinship outcomes.
Cost
Early Registration - $190
Standard Registration - $210
1:00 - 4:00
Technical Leaders Meeting
Description to be announced.
Cost
Early Registration - $190
Standard Registration - $210