Human Identification symposium discusses DNA technology advancement

The 20th International Symposium on Human Identification will highlight advances in DNA technology and explore controversial issues brought about by the expanded power and use of DNA typing. Over 600 forensic analysts from around the world will attend the three-day symposium, which is the only event of its kind. Keynote speaker Donald Johanson will open this year’s conference. Johanson, founder of the Institute of Human Origins, is best known for his discovery of Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old hominid skeleton. Other sessions include:

• Implications for the forensic community from the 2009 National Association of Science (NAS) report. This report suggests policy changes that will have an impact on DNA analysis in forensic labs (Peter Marone, Virginia Department of Forensic Science).
• Impact from adoption of the new European standard set of loci for sharing DNA profiles across countries (or borders) (Martin Eckert, Bundeskriminalamt Wiesbaden).
• Expert panel discussion on the possibilities and concerns of DNA testing for low-copy-number samples.
• New guidelines for mass fatality DNA identification operations, presented by members of American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

The always popular “Interesting Cases” session spotlights some of the more unusual and difficult cases that benefited from DNA analysis. This year’s cases include a case involving dismemberment and disposal, a cold case solved after thirty years with evidence from the victim’s fingernails, and a case where a sniffer dog led police to the wrong suspect.

This year’s symposium will be held:

• October 12-15
• JW Marriott Resort and Spa at Summerlin
• 221 North Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89145