19^th International Symposium on Human Identification

Working Groups, Forums & Meetings

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel – Hollywood, CA USA
October 13-16, 2008
Sponsored by Promega Corporation

Promega is proud to sponsor the International Symposium on Human Identification to facilitate the dissemination of information that impacts the forensic community. The landscape of forensic science continues to change and evolve. New technologies are enabling scientists to discover information previously considered unknowable. The annual international symposium on human identification continues to provide a venue for educating both seasoned analysts and new initiates to the field of DNA typing.

Keynote Address by Sean Carroll - Dr. Sean Carroll will present the keynote address at this year's symposium. Dr. Carroll is the author of The Making of the Fittest and of Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo. Sean will sign copies of his books (available on site) following his presentation. Find out more about Dr. Carroll's work by visiting: seanbcarroll.com

Confirmed Speakers and Sessions

Tuesday, October 14

The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution
Sean Carroll, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Providing Resolution for an Historically Relevant Case through DNA Analysis
Michael Coble, Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab

The Missing Women's Task Force and the Pickton Investigation (Canada's most prolific serial murderer)
Kathleen Horley, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Vancouver

Overview of the FBI's CODIS Program
Thomas, Callaghan, FBI

The DNA Partial Match and Familial Search Policy of the California Department of Justice
Gary Sims, California Department of Justice

Searching a DNA Data Bank Using Complex Mixtures: A Retrospective Study
Leo Lavergne, Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Medecine Legale

The Development of a Forensic DNA Case Management System (FMS) to Address Data Management Bottlenecks and Increases in Cold Hits
Michael Cariola, Bode Technology

Poster and Exhibits Session

Wednesday, October 15

GeneMapper IDX Software v1.1: Development of an Automated Approach for the Deconvolution of DNA Mixtures
Lisa Calandro, Applied Biosystems

Advances in Automated Mixture Interpretation
Martin Bill, Forensic Science Service

Validation of FSS - i³ v4. 2.1
Jackie Johnson, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Adaptive DNA Databank Capacity Using an Expert System Process
Peter Wistort, New York State Police

A Solution for the Split Peak and n-10 Artifacts Seen at the vWA Locus in PowerPlex® 16 and PowerPlex® ES
Robert McLaren, Promega Corporation

Application of Circular Ligase to Provide Template for Rolling Circle Amplification of Low Amounts of Fragmented DNA
Ada Nunez, FBI Laboratory

Examination and Optimization of the PreCR™ DNA Repair Mix on Damaged DNA for Short Tandem Repeat and Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
Todd Bille, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Interesting Cases
DNA Mixture Interpretation

Poster and Exhibits Session

6:30 - 10:30 PM

Off-Site Event
Crimson and Opera

Thursday, October 16

Analyzing Y-STR Mixtures and Calculating Inclusion Statistics
Rick Staub, Orchid Cellmark, Inc.

Drilling Deeper into the STR Allele: Enhanced Resolution and Statistical Power through SNP Distributions within the Short Tandem Repeats
John Planz, University of North Texas, Health Science Center

Analysis of DNA Forensic Markers Using High Throughput Mass Spectrometry
Steven Hofstadler, Ibis Biosciences, Inc.

The Maxwell^® 16 Low Elution Volume System for Forensic Casework: Routine Use in a Forensic Laboratory
Heike Felske-Zech, Department of Legal Medicine, Justus-Liebig University

Development of a Multiplex SNP Detection System, GenPlex™ HID, Human Identification Applications
Rixun Fang, Applied Biosystems

12:00 PM

Conference concludes

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Meeting Location and Accommodations

This year's conference will be held at the beautiful Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, California 90028, www.RenaissanceHollywood.com/. The hotel is part of the Hollywood and Highland complex and offers over 20 restaurants and nightclubs, six state-of-the-art movie theatres and more than 50 shops. Area attractions include, Universal Studios Hollywood, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Bowl, and sightseeing in downtown Los Angeles.

The resort is ~13 miles from Los Angeles International Airport and 8 miles from Burbank Airport. Super Shuttle service is available from the airport for a nominal charge. For advance shuttle registrations register on-line at www.supershuttle.com and reference discount code V2KPA.

A block of rooms have been reserved for this conference at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Due to the limited room block, you are encouraged to book your hotel room as soon as possible. Rooms may be booked on-line at RenaissanceHollywood.com. The group code is proproa. Contact the hotel directly by phone 800-HOTELS 1 or
323-856-1200 mentioning the same code to make your room arrangements at the special room rate of $205 + tax/night for single or double occupancy.

Should you choose not to stay at the Renaissance Hollywood, an overflow hotel is available within walking distance. The overflow hotel is the Hollywood Heights Hotel, 2005 N. Highland Ave. Room rates at the Hollywood Heights Hotel are $169/ night plus tax. Contact the hotel directly at 323-876-8600 to make your reservations. Mention group code ISH to receive the special group rate. Reservations can also be booked online at www.hollywoodheightshotel.com using the ISH group code.

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Workshop Information

Sunday, October 12- Pre Symposium Workshops

HITA/AABB Workshop

Co-Chairs: Michael Baird, DNA Diagnostics Center, George Riley, AABB and Amanda Sozer, Sozer, Niezgoda and Associates, LLC
Time: 1:00-5:00pm
Fee: Free (pre-registration required)

HITA, the Human Identity Trade Association and AABB, the American Association of Blood Banks will sponsor a workshop on Sunday, October 12 from 1:00pm-5:00pm. This year’s HITA / AABB Workshop will examine the use of non-autosomal genetic markers in relationship analysis. Speakers will present Y-Chromosomal STR and X-Chromosomal STR analysis as well as mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In addition methods to incorporate the results of non-autosomal genetic markers into calculations for relationship will be presented. A round table discussion will follow the presentations. There is no charge for the workshop, however, registration is required. Questions about the workshop may be directed to Mike Baird, phone: 513-881-4026, mlb@dnacenter.com or Mandy Sozer, phone: 703-425-6595, dnatcs@starpower.net

DNA Auditor Training - Sorry, this workshop is full.

Co-Chairs: Richard Guerrieri and Heather Seubert, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Time: Sunday, October 12, 1:00pm-5:00pm and Monday, October 13, 8:30am-4:45pm
Fee: Free (Approved application required for attendance)

The DNA Auditor Training provides current and previously qualified DNA examiners with a comprehensive review and interpretation of the revised DNA Audit Document (July 2004). In order to comply with NDIS/CODIS audit requirements, affected DNA laboratories will be required to have personnel trained on this document. ASCLD/LAB DNA Inspectors are required to receive this training in order to continue performing inspections. It is strongly recommended that participants be familiar with the DNA Audit Document prior to attending the workshop (which can be found in Forensic Science Communications July 2004 issue). It is highly recommended that attendees be currently qualified in DNA analysis/interpretation. A limited number of workshop positions are available. The workshop is offered free of charge, however, registrants must complete an application and meet certain requirements to be accepted.

Monday, October 13- Pre Symposium Workshops

Forensic Population Genetics

Chair: Martin Tracey, Florida International University
Time: 8:30am-4:45pm
Fee: $195 (before August 1), $225 (after August 1)

A full day workshop on Statistics used in STRs will be held on Monday, October 13 from 8:30am-4:45pm at the conference resort. In court questions are frequently asked about topics such as Hardy-Weinberg assumptions, data base size, confidence intervals, source attribution, population substructure and matches seen in convicted offender data bases. These and other issues raised by participants will be addressed. Fees include all class materials, continental breakfast, lunch & breaks. Participants should bring a calculator to carry out work problems.

Ethics and Forensic Science

Chair: Tammy Pruet Northrup, Office of the Disciplinary Counsel
Time: 8:30am-4:45pm
Fee: $195 (before August 1), $225 (after August 1)

This workshop will cover the following topics: the history of ethics codes in forensic science, current status of ethics codes, a discussion of recent court cases where the ethics of a forensic scientist was at issue and the resolution of each case. Fees include all class materials, continental breakfast, lunch & breaks.

Thursday, October 16- Post Symposium Workshops

Troubleshooting Common Laboratory Problems

Co-Chairs: John M. Butler, NIST, Bruce McCord, Florida International University
Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm
Fee: $150 (before August 1), $175 (after August 1)

DNA labs often encounter challenges when working with the many variable aspects of the capillary electrophoresis process. This workshop will explore common problems experienced by forensic laboratories and suggest solutions for fixing various problems. Participants are invited to suggest problems that they would like to have reviewed in advance of the workshop. Fees include handouts and a light lunch. Enrollment will be limited to encourage group discussion.

Missing Persons & Cold Cases

Chair: John E Stewart, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm
Fee: $150 (before August 1), $175 (after August 1)

This workshop will help participants better understand how to work with missing person's and cold case units. Challenges particular to both missing persons and cold cases will be explored. Practical advice will be provided for collecting evidence, working with other agencies and developing a plan for tackling these difficult cases. Fees include handouts and a light lunch. Enrollment will be limited to encourage group discussion.

Technical Leader's Workshop

Chair: Steve Renteria, Los Angeles Sheriff's Office
Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm
Fee $150 (Before August 1), $175 (after August 1)

A technical leader's workshop will be held to discuss administrative, and/or technical issues of interest to forensic laboratories. Attendance will be restricted to technical leaders or their designees. Vendors are not allowed to attend this workshop. Suggestions for discussion items will be solicited in advance. Fees include handouts and a light lunch.

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Call for Exhibitor

With an average attendance of well over 650 people from the field of DNA typing, the annual symposium on human identification provides as excellent opportunity to meet key decision makers. If your company offers products related to DNA typing we encourage you to consider exhibiting at the meeting. Direct exhibition inquiries to:

Mary O'Connell
Phone: 608-277-2497
Fax: 608-277-2601
E-mail: mary.oconnell@promega.com

Exhibit space is limited, so reserve your place early.

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Registration Information

Fees for the symposium are $595 US if registering before August 1, 2008. After August 1, the registration fee will increase to $695 US. Fees include the program and materials, lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Welcome Reception, refreshment breaks and special dinner event at Crimson and Opera.