2013 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) Presenters to Share Emerging Rapid DNA Analysis, Next Generation Sequencing and Best Practice Forensic DNA Techniques

Join more than 800 DNA analysts, members of law enforcement and other DNA professionals to learn about emerging forensic DNA practices at the 24th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI). The largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification, ISHI 2013 will be held October 7–10 at the Hyatt Regency, 235 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia. ISHI 2013 speakers include:

• Thomas Callaghan, Ph.D.: Senior Biometric Scientist for the FBI Laboratory’s Biometric Analysis Section, Dr. Callaghan will describe how the first generation of Rapid DNA (R-DNA) prototype instruments, available for approximately one year thus far, are being implemented and performing in the field. The presentation will discuss experimental design and data analysis for the first assessments of instrumentation conducted in collaboration by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Forensic Science Center and the FBI.

• Ronny Decorte, Ph.D.: Head of the Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archaeology at the Forensic Medicine Department of the University Hospitals Leuven and associate professor in forensic genetics at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Leuven, Belgium, Dr. Decorte will present on the identification of the mummified head of French King Henri IV, illustrating how DNA analysis can resolve longstanding historical controversies. Decorte has published more than 90 peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters and other articles.

• Colleen Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.: Founder of Identifinders International, Dr. Fitzpatrick is a forensic genealogist who has been recognized for her work with the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on identifying the remains found in the Alaskan crash of Northwest Flight 4422. Her talk will demonstrate how a pilot study using autosomal SNP testing in conjunction with genealogical research is being tested to help children of the Holocaust discover their birth identities.

• Tjark Tjin-a-Tsoi, Ph.D.: Chief Executive Officer of the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Dr. Tjin-a-Tsoi will speak about the remarkable growth of forensic technology over the last 15 years and how this can contribute to enhanced performance, like backlog reduction, as forensic labs transition with the technology. Since 2007, under Dr. Tjin-a-Tsoi’s leadership, the NFI has succeeded in reducing delivery times by more than 90% and clearing its backlog of work.

Other presenters and panelists include: Kevin Davies, Greg Hampikian, Douglas Hares, Charity Holland, Manfred Kayser, Turi King, Ate Kloosterman, Jennifer Schuett and Tim Cromie, and many others.

This symposium for forensic experts and suppliers is offered through Promega Corporation, a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. The company’s 2,500 products enable scientists worldwide to advance their knowledge in genomics, proteomics, cellular analysis, molecular diagnostics and human identification. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 15 countries and over 50 global distributors.