Letter from the Editor

February is often a month of quiet resolve—a moment to take stock of where we are and where we’re headed. In forensic science, that pause is rarely still. It’s a time when learning, responsibility, and forward motion intersect, and this issue of The ISHI Report reflects that tension in powerful ways.

We open with the voices of those just beginning their professional journeys. Our Student Ambassadors’ reflections from ISHI 36 remind us that the future of forensic science is already here—curious, globally minded, and deeply aware of the human impact behind every dataset. Their perspectives ground this issue in purpose and possibility, setting the tone for what follows.

From there, the scope widens dramatically. In Bridging Borders, we look at DNA identification efforts unfolding amid Ukraine’s ongoing conflict—where forensic science is operating not after tragedy, but during it. The scale of missing persons, fragmented remains, and separated families underscores the role DNA can play not only in identification, but in human rights, accountability, and reunification. It’s a sobering reminder that forensic infrastructure, trust, and international collaboration matter most when the stakes are highest.

Innovation takes center stage next in our interview with Dr. Betzaida Maldonado, whose work on probabilistic approaches to SNP mixture interpretation speaks directly to a challenge many laboratories face: what happens when evidence doesn’t fit neatly into existing workflows. Her research highlights how bridging academic insight and casework reality can expand what’s possible—particularly for cold cases that have exhausted traditional avenues.

Preparedness and collaboration remain central themes as we turn to the Central California Forensic Fire Death Investigation Academy. As wildland-urban interface fires grow in frequency and severity, this hands-on, interdisciplinary model offers a blueprint for how training, research, and field response can evolve together—before the next mass fatality event demands it.

Equity, access, and survivor-centered practice are brought into sharp focus in the She Matters feature, which examines forensic DNA self-collection as a potential pathway forward for survivors in rural and remote communities. This piece challenges us to think beyond traditional systems and ask how forensic science can meet people where they are—without compromising integrity, ethics, or justice.

Community leadership is also essential to that evolution. In Meet the ISHI Advisory Committee, we introduce the scientists helping guide ISHI’s future—educators, analysts, supervisors, and researchers whose careers reflect the many paths forensic DNA can take. Their stories reinforce the importance of mentorship, implementation, and thoughtful adoption of new technologies.

We then return to casework with Eric Schubert’s account of solving one of the oldest cold cases ever closed through genetic genealogy. It’s a testament to persistence, preserved evidence, and the long game of forensic investigation—where answers may take decades, but still matter profoundly when they arrive.

Looking ahead, this issue also introduces ISHI On-Demand, a new way to engage with complex topics like probabilistic genotyping, mixture interpretation, and courtroom communication. Designed to complement—not replace—laboratory training, these modules reflect ISHI’s commitment to continued learning that’s practical, candid, and rooted in real experience.

Finally, we close with a look toward what’s next, as ISHI 2026 workshops are announced—inviting you to deepen skills, challenge assumptions, and continue conversations that move the field forward.

Taken together, these stories reflect a field that is expanding in every direction: geographically, technically, and ethically. They remind us that progress in forensic science isn’t just about new tools—it’s about preparation, trust, collaboration, and care for the people behind every case.

Thank you for being part of this community and for the work you do every day at the intersection of science and justice. We hope this issue informs, challenges, and inspires you as we move forward together.

Warm regards,

The Editorial Board