AAFS 2025

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Chair:
Diana Messer, PhD 
West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center
Memphis, TN

Co-Chair:
Donna C. Boyd, PhD 
Radford University
Radford, VA

Presenters:
Bradley J. Adams 
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
New York, NY

Andrew Baker, MD 
Hennepin County 
Medical Examiner's Office
Minnetonka, MN

Farah W. Brink, MD 
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH

Jered B. Cornelison, PhD 
Western Michigan University 
Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine 
Kalamazoo, MI

Carolyn V. Isaac, PhD 
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Andy Tsai, MD, PhD 
Boston Children's Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Program Description: Physical abuse in children results in >500 deaths in the United States each year. Patterned and repetitive skeletal fracture is often observed in these decedents, reflecting the typically serial nature of pediatric NAI. Accurate estimation of TSI for antemortem fractures is critical for identification, evaluation, and adjudication of fatal pediatric NAI. 

However, TSI estimation has been described as an "inexact science," due to lack of recognition, understanding, and scientific validation of existing TSI methods.These methods derive from a variety of inter-disciplinary sources with unknown accuracy, reliability, consistency, and limited understanding of variables that impact fracture healing. This has necessitated extreme caution in use of TSI estimations in the adjudication of fatal pediatric NAI.

Multidisciplinary approaches to understanding pediatric fracture healing that focus on scientifically validated methodologies are imperative for developing best practice recommendations and standards for forensic pediatric skeletal trauma analysis in pediatric death investigations. 

This workshop provides a multidisciplinary approach for understanding and estimating pediatric fracture TSI. Best practice recommendations for analysis and interpretation of pediatric skeletal fracture and its timing are presented using interdisciplinary technologies involving imaging (Computed Tomography [CT], radiology), microscopy (light microscopy, histology), and machine learning. The scientific foundation for pediatric fracture repair and its timing is considered, as is application of these methods to the broader context of pediatric case adjudication and public health. Hands-on examination of case study examples allows participants to put topics covered into practice with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration.

Educational Objectives: After attending this workshop, participants will understand how antemortem skeletal fractures can be used to help interpret, document, and adjudicate medicolegal cases of Non-Accidental Injury (NAI) in pediatric deaths. Attendees will learn the anatomical basis for and variables affecting pediatric skeletal fracture, repair, and timing (i.e., Time Since Injury or TSI). Using multidisciplinary technology, including histology, light microscopy, radiology, and machine learning, they will learn to critically evaluate current methodological approaches for evaluating pediatric fracture healing and estimating TSI. Applications of pediatric antemortem fracture data toward public health (including advocacy for children's health) will be explored.

Impact Statement: This workshop will impact the forensic community by providing multidisciplinary perspectives and methodological training for critically evaluating and interpreting skeletal fracture and its timing in pediatric death investigations. This training will help the forensic community determine best practice approaches to pediatric fracture interpretations that are scientifically based, legally defensible, and applicable to public health efforts toward prevention of non-accidental child injury.

Target Audience: Anthropology, Forensic Nursing Science, General, Jurisprudence, Pathology/Biology

Knowledge Level Required: Intermediate

CE Hours: 6.0

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Chair:
Angela Spessard, MSFS 
Maryland State Police
Pikesville, MD

Co-Chair: 
Jarrah R. Kennedy, MSFS
Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory
Kansas City, MO

Presenters:
Michelle Madrid, MS
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles, CA

Niki Osborne, PhD 
Human Factors Training and Consultancy
Remuera, New Zealand

Melissa Taylor, BA 
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD

Hope Zagaria, MSFS 
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Washington, DC

Program Description: In May 2024, the NIST/ NIJ EWG on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation published a comprehensive report containing 44 recommendations for how to reduce the likelihood and consequence of errors in forensic DNA interpretation.

In this workshop, we will guide participants through the EWG's process, highlight key findings, discuss controversial topics, and present the final recommendations. The workshop will focus on the following areas:

• Training and Education
• Quality Assurance
• Cognitive Bias and Error Reduction
• Interpretation 
• Reporting and Testimony        
• Management
• Work Environment
• Expressing Evidence Strength
• Research
• Technology
• The "How" and "When" Questions in DNA Analysis

This workshop is relevant to DNA and other forensic science practitioners, laboratory management, researchers, legal practitioners, and anyone interested in improving decision-making in forensic science. Participants will be expected to actively engage with the material and provide feedback on the relevance and feasibility of implementing the recommendations in their practice.

We will use an interactive approach to help participants develop a plan to implement any recommendations that will provide value in their practice. Join us for a comprehensive session that aims to enhance your understanding and application of human factors in forensic DNA interpretation, ultimately contributing to better practices and safer justice outcomes.

Educational Objectives: In this workshop, we will guide participants through the process undertaken by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Expert Working Group (EWG) on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation. We will highlight the key findings and controversial topics and present the final recommendations from the report published in May 2024. This workshop will focus on providing examples of how forensic science service providers are already implementing these recommendations in their practice.

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will: 1) be familiar with the published recommendations from the NIST/NIJ EWG on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation report, 2) understand the implications of these recommendations for their practice, 3) Recognize how these recommendations aim to improve DNA examination practices, 4) Critique the recommendations and discuss their relevance and feasibility in participants' own practices and the wider forensic DNA community, and 5) Have the tools to implement the recommendations in their own practice.

Impact Statement:The study of human factors in forensic science is crucial to understanding the interaction between humans and the systems they use. By addressing human factor issues, we can identify and mitigate the likelihood and consequence of errors and biases, improve laboratory culture, staff morale, and productivity. This workshop encapsulates four years of effort dedicated to understanding human factors in forensic DNA interpretation, providing valuable guidance for DNA analysts, laboratory management, and legal practitioners to enhance practice and achieve safer justice outcomes.

Target Audience: General, Jurisprudence, Pathology/Biology

Knowledge Level: Basic 

CE Hours: 6.5

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Chair: 
Vanessa R. Neff, MFS
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Woodbridge, VA

Co-Chair: 
Matt Geniuk, MSc
Department of the Army
Criminal Investigation Division
Fort Sam Houston, TX

Presenters:
Chris Adams, MFS 
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Quantico, VA

Tim Bartman, BAS
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Fort Moore, GA

Ethan Dodson, MSFS 
Central Texas Field Office, DACID
Fort Cavazos, TX

Michael Allen Easter, Jr., MSFS 
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Fredericksburg, VA

Pedro Hernandez, Jr., MFS
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
El Paso, TX

Dale Sajdak, MSFS 
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Stedman, NC

Jessica A. Veltri, MS
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Stafford, VA

Bryce Wolford, MA 
Department of the Army 
Criminal Investigation Division
Quantico, VA

Program Description: The attendees will be provided with an understanding of military-specific investigations, how we utilize technology to assist us in solving our investigations, as well as the problems technology has presented over the past ten years. There will be multiple case studies of deaths, child sexual abuse material, and other felony level crimes demonstrating the benefits and risks associated with our reliance on technology. There will be information pertaining to our newly established Cold Case Unit, which has assisted in numerous cold cases and has current cold cases they are investigating. There will also be a capabilities brief of what we as an MCIO can assist outside agencies with.

Educational Objectives: The attendees will learn how a Military Criminal Investigative Organization (MCIO) has applied technology to the investigative process and what has assisted them, as well as how it has hindered the investigative process. There will be discussions concerning death investigations, cold case investigations, and military resources to our partner agencies, challenges of Closed Circuit Television, and challenges during armed conflicts.

Impact Statement: This presentation will impact the forensic science community by providing examples of best practices with inter-agency partnerships, differing ways technology can be used to solve investigations, being a resource to assist with cold cases that may have a Department of Defense nexus, and how technology can be used in austere environments to solve investigations.

Target Audience: Digital & Multimedia Sciences, General, Jurisprudence

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 6.75

 

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 4:35 pm

Chair: 
Gina Londino-Smolar, EdD 
IU Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Co-Chair: 
JCU Downs, MD
 forensX, LLC 
Johns Island, SC

Presenters:
Carole E. Chaski, PhD 
Institute for Linguistic Evidence
Georgetown, DE

Brandon Epstein, MS 
Medex Forensics
Madison, WI

Ting-Yu Huang, PhD
Taipei City, Taiwan 

Michael A. Marciano, PhD 
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

David Pienkowski, MBA, PhD 
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

Kathryn C. Seigfried-Spellar, PhD 
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

Aaron M. Shaprio, PhD 
Provincial Health Services Authority of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Henry Swofford, PhD 
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD

Jorn Yu, PhD 
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Program Description: This workshop was developed by the Forensic Science Foundation (FSF) Educational Committee. The workshop will explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in forensic science. It will delve into the basics of AI analyses, discuss strategies for implementing AI-enabled tools in pattern evidence, and present innovative biometrics solutions for digital forensics. The workshop will also evaluate novel approaches to media authentication in the age of AI-generated content, apply AI in fire debris analysis and forensic DNA analysis, and discuss the use of generative AI for rapid detection of novel drugs in toxicology samples. Last, it will provide a historical perspective on the development of AI and discuss its challenges in forensic science. Attendees will gain insights into the state of AI in forensic science, learn about current tools, and understand the considerations in the development and evaluation of AI-based techniques in the field.

Educational Objectives: The proposed presentations are poised to significantly impact the forensic science community by integrating AI into various aspects of forensic analysis. They aim to enhance understanding of AI principles, propose strategies for implementing AI-enabled tools in pattern evidence analysis, and explore innovative biometrics solutions. They also seek to evaluate novel approaches to media authentication in the face of AI-generated content, apply AI in fire debris analysis and forensic DNA analysis, and use generative AI for rapid detection of novel drugs in toxicology samples. Last, they provide a historical perspective on the development of AI and discuss its challenges in forensic science. Collectively, these presentations could lead to more accurate, efficient, and objective forensic analyses, ultimately contributing to a more effective criminal justice system.

Impact Statement: This presentation will impact the forensic science community by providing examples of best practices with inter-agency partnerships, differing ways technology can be used to solve investigations, be a resource to assist with cold cases that may have a Department of Defense nexus, and how technology can be used in austere environments to solve investigations.

Target Audience: All Sections

Knowledge Level: Basic

 CE Hours: 6.25

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 4:15 pm

Chair: 
Katherine M. Brown, PhD 
Tarleton State University
College Station, TX

Co-Chair: 
Kelsie Bryand, MS 
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Presenters:
Heidi Miller
Founder
Sherry Black Foundation
Sandy, UT

Erin BE Ryan, BS 
Director
Sherry Black Foundation
Midway, UT

Patrick J. Zirpoli 
Sr. Investigative Consultant
Sherry Black Foundation
Milanville, PA

Program Description: This program will take the attendees through the high-profile, 10-year investigation of the murder of Sherry Black. She was murdered in her small bookstore located on her property in South Salt Lake City, UT, on November 30, 2010. The program will start with the initial call to the South Salt Lake City Police Department and the processing of the crime scene by the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System. The evidence recovered at the scene and the impact the evidence had on the investigation will be discussed. The presentation will show the initial forensic testing and the results of the analysis. The Behavioral Analysis conducted on both the crime and offender will be reviewed with the attendees, and the evidence-based conclusions will be explained. Investigative Genetic Genealogy has become a critical tool in identifying unknown remains and unknown offenders in many violent crimes. We will discuss how this was used during the investigation, and how the offender was eventually identified. The attendees will learn the proper way to obtain reference samples to ensure that any results will not be questioned. This presentation will describe the prosecutorial process from the time of the offender's arrest through his sentencing. We will discuss considerations when prosecuting cold case homicides. Finally, the attendees will learn the steps that were taken to pass Utah SB156, also known as the "Sherry Black Bill." This legislative act introduces a more structured framework for law enforcement's utilization of optional genetic testing databases when investigating violent crimes.

Educational Objectives: After attending this presentation, attendees will gain a working knowledge of the process of violent crime investigation. Attendees will recognize: (1) the initial crime scene and evidence collection; (2) forensic analysis of the evidence; (3) crime acene assessment and behavior analysis; (4) Investigative Genetic Genealogy; (5) prosecutorial considerations and the impact on families.

Impact Statement: This presentation will impact the forensic science community by exploring a violent homicide from the initial investigation through the ten years of investigation, culminating in the identification and conviction of the offender. During this investigation, many forensics sciences disciplines were involved; this presentation discusses these practices and their application to homicide investigation.

Target Audience: General, Jurisprudence, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 5.5
 

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Chair: 
Sandra E. Rodriguez-Cruz, PhD 
Drug Enforcement Administration
Dulles, VA

Co-Chair: 
Catherine Savage, MS 
Maryland State Police
Forensic Sciences Division
Pikesville, MD

Presenters:
Laurel Bobka, MSFS 
Maryland State Police
Walkersville, MD

Jack Prothero, PhD 
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Westminster, CO

Joshua Smith, BS 
Charles County Sheriff's Office
Windsor Mill, MD

Program Description: This full-day workshop will present a new statistical sampling app developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the MSP to apply hypergeometric sampling to seized-drug evidence. The theory behind the calculations in the app will be thoroughly discussed, along with tools and techniques for both conceptualizing and deploying statistical sampling plans in seized-drug laboratories. Topics covered will include sample size selection, uncertainty quantification, generation of appropriate population inferences for net weight and identification purposes, and appropriate reporting language for net weight, unit count, and extrapolation scenarios.

Educational Objectives: After attending this workshop, the attendees will understand how different hypergeometric sampling tools can be used in a forensic laboratory to improve the information provided about the population of drugs submitted.

Impact Statement: This workshop will impact the forensic science community by providing an alternative to the sampling tools currently available on the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) website. The presenters will highlight the reasons why Maryland State Police (MSP) decided to provide statistical data for evidence submitted with a possession with intent to distribute charge. One of the current challenges of statistical sampling of seized-drug evidence is that the complex mixtures of street samples do not always have the same controlled substances reported for each specimen tested. This sampling app will allow a statistical statement to be more easily made in more situations than the hypothesis testing approach.

Target Audience: Criminalistics

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 6.75 

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 6:00 pm

Chair: 
Corina Freitas, MD 
Freitas and Associates LLC
Alexandria, VA

Co-Chair: 
Donna Coleman, JD 
Office of the Public Defender 
Mental Health Division
Towson, MD

Program Description: This presentation is designed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge to confidently discuss the mental health in court proceedings, explore alternative diagnostic options, and understand the crucial distinctions between legal and medical definitions of disorders. Participants will delve into real case examples to see theory in action and gain practical insights into challenging opposing experts and selecting the right expert witnesses.

Interactive elements will include engaging group discussions and role-playing scenarios to enhance learning and retention. Role-playing in this session will involve analyzing various case scenarios from jurisdictions with different legal standards and tests. Participants will engage in mini mock trials with forensic evaluations where they will apply their understanding of the DSM's authority, forensic limitations, and the distinction between legal and medical definitions of disorders. By attending this session, you will not only enhance your ability to navigate forensic evaluations but also ensure ethical and accurate representations of mental health in legal contexts. Join us to transform your courtroom strategies and become a more effective advocate for your clients.

Educational Objectives:The goals of this workshop are to:

• Understand and articulate the role of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in legal settings.
• Analyze the limitations and challenges of relying on the DSM for legal determinations of mental health issues.
• Identify and compare alternative diagnostic manuals and systems used in mental health assessments.
• Differentiate between legal versus medical definitions of mental disorders in the assessment and testimony of mental health conditions.
• Acquire knowledge to effectively challenge the testimony and findings of opposing experts in court.
• Learn to identify potential weaknesses or biases in expert evaluations and testimonies.
• Evaluate the credentials, experience, and methodology of potential expert witnesses.
• Review landmark cases that have significantly influenced mental health law and discuss their impact on current legal standards and practices.

Impact Statement: By achieving these learning objectives, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between mental health and legal systems, particularly the role and authority of the DSM in court. They will be equipped with the knowledge to critically evaluate and challenge forensic limitations, alternative diagnostic options, and the legal versus medical definitions of disorders. Through case examples and practical strategies, attendees will enhance their ability to select and prepare expert witnesses, ensuring robust and credible testimonies. This training will empower legal professionals to effectively navigate the complexities of forensic mental health evaluations, ultimately improving the quality and fairness of judicial outcomes.

Target Audience: Jurisprudence, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 7.5

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 4:45 pm

Chair: 
Summer J. Decker, PhD
University of Southern California 
Keck School of Medicine
Los Angeles, CA

Co-Chair: 
Edward Mazuchowski, MD, PhD 
HNL Lab Medicine
Breiningsville, PA

Presenters:
Natalie L. Adolphi, PhD 
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM

Fabrice Dedouit, MD, PhD 
Rangueil-Larrey Toulouse Hospital
Toulouse, France

Jamie M. Elifritz, MD 
Forensic Radiology Group
Albuquerque, NM

Howard T. Harcke, MD 
Thomas Jefferson University
Wilmington, DE

Heather S. Jarrell, MD 
Office of the Medical Investigator
Albuquerque, NM

Michael J. Thali
Professor 
University of Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland

Program Description: Forensic postmortem radiology is an essential element of a comprehensive medicolegal death investigation. State-of-the-art techniques and procedures will be discussed through case presentations and interactive interpretations of radiology images.

Educational Objectives: After attending this workshop, attendees will: (1) appreciate the evolution of forensic imaging: (2) develop an understanding the fundamentals of Postmortem Computed Tomography (PMCT), including interpretation; (3) gain insights regarding the applications of Postmortem Computed Tomography (PMCT), with a particular focus on its role during the opioid epidemic; (4) identify unique considerations for pediatric forensic imaging, and (5) discuss current advances, collaboration, and potential resources available to interested practitioners.

Impact Statement: This presentation will impact the forensic science community by providing attendees with expertise on best practices, interpretation of radiology imaging, and incorporation of forensic postmortem radiology into medicolegal death investigations.

Target Audience: Anthropology, Forensic Nursing Science, General, Jurisprudence, Odontology, Pathology/Biology

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 5.75 

Pre-Registration Required — $275

8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Chair: 
Michael J. Salyards, PhD 
CSAFE
Tucson, AZ

Co-Chair: 
Linton Mohammed, PhD 
Forensic Science Consultants, Inc.
Poway, CA

Presenter:
Hal S. Stern, PhD 
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA

Program Description: This workshop provides an introduction to key concepts in probability and statistics by linking them to key topics that are currently impacting the forensic science community. The target audience is anyone (e.g., practitioners, lawyers, judges, educators, and stakeholders) with a desire to better understand ongoing conversations about validation studies, error rates, inconclusive findings, likelihood ratios, and general concepts in statistics and probability.

Educational Objectives: The workshop is intended to review basic concepts from probability and statistical inference and demonstrate their relevance in the current discussions regarding the assessment and interpretation of impression, pattern, and trace evidence. Participants will:

• Become familiar with the language and key concepts of probability, including the role of populations and sample, laws of probability, dependence/independence of events, conditional probability and Bayes' rule, and the likelihood ratio.
• Become familiar with the language and key concepts of statistical inference, including the role of data collection, measurement, error rates, reliability, and validity.
• Understand issues associated with the design, execution, and interpretation of black box studies.
• Understand statistical hypothesis testing and its relevance for the two-stage approach for analyzing forensic evidence.
• Understand the likelihood ratio/Bayes factor-approach to assessing forensic evidence along with its strengths and weaknesses.

Impact Statement: Understanding the applications of statistics by the forensic science community will assist practitioners, attorneys, and jurists in evaluating evidence and opinions. The workshop is intended to leave participants in a position to better understand and engage in ongoing discussions (in the Organization of Scientific Area Committees [OSAC] and other places) about appropriate approaches to assessing forensic evidence and reporting forensic conclusions.

Target Audience: All Sections

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 5.75 

Pre-Registration Required — $150

8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Chair: 
Jennifer F. Limoges, MS 
New York State Police 
Forensic Investigation Center
Albany, NY

Co-Chair: 
Laura Liddicoat, BA 
Liddicoat Consulting
Fitchburg, WI

Presenters:
Patrick M. Harding, BS 
Robert F Borkenstein Courses
Madison, WI 

Chris Heartsill, BSc 
SOFT/NHTSA
Farmers Branch, TX

Marc A. LeBeau, PhD 
LeBeau Forensic Toxicology Consulting, LLC
Fairfax, VA

Program Description: Forensic toxicologists are frequently asked to perform calculations related to alcohol in a wide variety of situations. ANSI/ASB BPR 122 Best Practice Recommendation for Performing Alcohol Calculations in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2024, outlines a scientific approach to improve the quality and consistency of this type of work. Those calculations can then serve as the basis for expert opinion in matters related to motor vehicle investigations, drug-facilitated crimes, workplace injury inquiries, and other criminal and civil cases. Performing the calculations in a standardized manner can also assist experts in meeting the recommendations of ANSI/ASB BPR 037 Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2019.

This workshop will review the alcohol calculation best practices and expert opinion guidelines, then demonstrate how the calculations can be applied to a variety of real-world case scenarios. Experts will also share how those calculations are then presented in court as part of their expert opinion testimony. 

Educational Objectives: Attendees will be able to use the alcohol calculation guidelines in a wide variety of forensic case types. They will learn how different toxicologists apply those calculations to expert opinion testimony.

Impact Statement: This workshop will impact the forensic toxicology and criminal justice community by educating stakeholders in how the principles of American National Standards Institute/Academy Standards Board Best Practice Recommendation (ANSI/ASB BPR) 122 and ANSI/ASB BPR 037 can be applied to a variety of forensic case types involving alcohol calculations.

Target Audience: Jurisprudence, Toxicology

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

CE Hours: 3.0 

Pre-Registration Required — $150

8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Chair: 
Rachel H. Oefelein, MSc 
DNA Labs international
Deerfield Beach, FL

Co-Chair: 
Marybeth Sciarretta, MS 
DNA Labs international
Deerfield Beach, FL 

Presenters:
Laurence Devesse, PhD 
Qiagen
Zurich, Switzerland

Danny Hellwig, MS
DNA Labs international
Deerfield Beach, FL

Kevin Lord
DNA Labs international
Deerfield Beach, FL

Mandi S. Van Buren, MS 
DNA Labs International
Deerfield Beach, FL

Program Description: What is a library? If it is whole genome sequencing, why don't I get the whole genome? This workshop is designed to be a crash course in all things sequencing. Existing commercial and custom panels for autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR), X-STR, Y-STR, mitochondrial, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) testing will be discussed. Additionally, the differences between targeted sequencing, shotgun sequencing, amplicon versus ligation-based libraries, and additional sequencing methods will be compared. Whether or not bioinformatics is required based on the sequencing method will be explored as well as the types of bioinformatic processes that may be employed, including imputation. With any new technology comes the introduction of this procedure in the courtroom as well as the inevitable court challenges. Successfully presented expert witness testimony will be previewed as well as a look at ongoing court challenges. Finally, cases where sequencing has been utilized will be highlighted. The presenters of this workshop will span industry experts, a bioinformatician, and active casework users of sequencing technologies.

Educational Objectives: The goal of this workshop is for attendees to walk away with a better baseline knowledge of sequencing and to provide a foundation for informed decision-making for those considering deploying sequencing in their laboratory.

Impact Statement: Sequencing can be intimidating for those that are used to the existing DNA technologies that have been available over the past several decades. This workshop will broaden that knowledge.

Target Audience: Criminalistics, Digital & Multimedia Sciences, General, Jurisprudence, Pathology/Biology

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 3.5 

Pre-Registration Required — $150

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Chair: 
Dawnie W. Steadman, PhD 
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

Co-Chair: 
Mary E. Cablk, PhD 
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Reno, NV

Presenters:
Shawn R. Campagna, PhD 
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

Mary Davis, MSc 
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

James C. Ha, PhD 
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

Program Description: Dogs have keen olfactory senses and are deployed for a number of forensic purposes in criminal investigations. HRD canines (a.k.a. cadaver dogs) are trained to detect the odor of human remains, which is comprised of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that emanate from a deceased body. Despite their widespread use, the reliability of HRD canines is complicated and understudied. 

Here, residual odor refers to the odor from a deceased human that remains after it is removed from its resting place, including transient places or objects a body touched. Little is known about deceased residual odor except that its VOCs degrade over time. However, canine alerts are being treated as scientifically valid indicators that an intact decedent was present at one time, even when no physical or corroborating (e.g., chemical) evidence exists, and without regard for the level of training, certification, or proficiency of the canine. 

 A study of 35 HRD canine teams (handler and dog) tested on residual odor from both deceased and living individuals provides the data and results presented in this workshop. The presenters will describe the development of a standardized, double-blind ORT for canine teams and discuss the accuracy of the canine teams in detecting deceased human residual odor. The presenters will explain the chemical characterization of the VOCs from the odor samples used in the ORTs. Finally, the presenters will utilize select video and audio recordings of the canine team participants from the ORT to contextualize the results and discuss implications of the study.

Educational Objectives: Residual odor is an odor that persists after the target is removed. This workshop addresses canine detection of residual odor of humans, both deceased and alive. After attending this workshop, attendees will understand: (1) if Human Remains Detection (HRD) canine teams reliably detect residual odor of human remains; (2) if these canines differentiate between residual odors of deceased human remains and live human scent; (3) if analytical chemistry methods detect and differentiate residual odor of living and deceased individuals; and (4) how the integrated results of chemistry and canine behavior analysis help us understand if and how residual odor training can be improved.

Impact Statement: The legal threshold for admitting canine evidence relies on the experience of the handler and their description of the canine's training, neither of which provide the errors associated with the technique required by standard rules of evidence. This workshop will assist attorneys and judges in assessing the probative value of canine alerts that may be detection of residual odor and thus considered evidence by providing results of a coupled canine-analytical chemistry analysis of intact decedent residual odor study. In addition, the standardized Odor Recognition Test (ORT) design will establish guidelines for canine training and testing to improve Human Remains Detection (HRD) certification efforts.

Target Audience: Anthropology, Criminalistics, General, Jurisprudence, Pathology/Biology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Toxicology

Knowledge Level: Basic

CE Hours: 3.5