2012 International Symposium on Human Identification Features Emerging and Best Practice Forensic DNA Techniques, Industry Leaders

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forensic DNA professionals confront many challenges: cold case investigations, DNA backlogs and new applications like rapid DNA and kinship DNA testing. The 23^rd International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) presents forensic professionals with an opportunity to learn about these and other developing forensic DNA technologies alongside fellow scientists, law enforcement professionals and forensic experts. This year’s ISHI will be held October 15-18 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.

As the largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification, the symposium attracts more than 800 DNA analysts and forensic scientists from around the world, providing these professionals an opportunity to explore and debate the latest research, technologies and ethical issues in the industry today. This year’s presenters and topics include:

Author and Educator Douglas Starr

Co-director of Boston University’s graduate program in Science and Medical Journalism and author of Gold Dagger award-winning book The Little Killer of Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science, Starr is this year’s keynote speaker. In his latest book, Starr tells the story of forensic science’s 19th century pioneers and the notorious serial killer they caught and convicted using their new scientific techniques. Winner of the Gold Dagger award in the U.K. and a finalist for the Edgar Allen Poe award in the U.S., the book received laudatory reviews, including an “Editor’s Choice” listing in the New York Times Book Review and a place on the True Crime Bestseller lists of the Wall Street Journal and Library Journal.

SNA International Founder Amanda Sozer

SNA International lends expertise to forensic labs and mass fatality identification projects. Founder and President Amanda Sozer, who received recognition for her outstanding efforts during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, will be leading a workshop on forensic science and human rights at ISHI. The workshop will include speakers who have worked on human rights projects as well as a presentation on the AAAS Guidelines for Scientists and Human Rights Organizations, developed by a group of collaborating scientists and representatives of human right organizations. The guidelines are designed to be helpful to those establishing science and human rights partnerships and to facilitate and promote cooperation between scientists and human rights organizations seeking scientific expertise.

Sequencing the Black Death Genome: Hendrik Poinar

Hendrik Poinar and his colleagues at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada developed a technique to find and sequence the Black Death genome using the skeletal remains of its victims. The possibility of environmental contamination was high. To address this, Poinar and his team extracted the DNA using a molecular “probe” made from a modern strain of DNA, testing this new technique on approximately 100 samples of teeth and bone excavated from a London plague pit. The result was a strain of Y. pestis unlike any known today: the Black Death. Poinar will share details of this process during his talk at ISHI.

Workshops: DNA Backlog Reduction, Cold Case Investigative Techniques

As forensic professionals well know, shows like CSI get it all wrong. From analyzing cold case evidence, with its potential for contamination, to backlogs and budgets, forensic work is fraught with challenges that are easily glossed over on today’s crime TV dramas. At ISHI, the “Putting the Heat on Cold Cases” workshop will help real-life cold case investigators learn how to identify and evaluate cold cases, including how to initiate, fund and process these cases using best practices for evidence testing. Lab personnel that have successfully eliminated DNA backlogs will share success stories and techniques during the “How to Tackle a DNA Backlog” workshop.

Visit the symposium website at www.ishinews.com for continuing program and speaker updates.

About Promega

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 2,000 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. For more information about Promega, visit www.promega.com.