JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy – Part II
Beyond the OMG Era: Forensic Genetic Genealogy 2011 - 2023, Expectations Versus Realities

Dr. Fitzpatrick is widely recognized as the founder of modern Forensic Genealogy. She has pioneered the use of genetic genealogy Y-STR and autosomal SNP analysis for generating forensic intelligence on cold cases sometimes decades old. Dr. Fitzpatrick's presentation will discuss how Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has been used for more than ten years to solve hundreds of cold cases, many dating back decades. As more cases move forward to successful resolution, the capabilities of FGG are becoming more well characterized, tempering expectations, and mitigating the risk of over-using a technique once regarded as a miracle cure for the common cold case.

SPEAKER

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, Founder, Identifinders International LLC

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JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy – Part I
Branching Out - The Use of FIGG in Forensic Investigations; From the Science to the Solutions

This presentation will address the scientific foundations of FIGG by exploring key concepts such as the DNA sequencing technologies available and the principles of genetic genealogy and kinship analysis to identify genetic relationships between individuals. The overall workflow involved in a FIGG investigation will be covered, highlighting the key steps and methodologies employed, with a focus on best practices for each step. Associated ethical and privacy concerns will be discussed, emphasizing the need to protect both public safety and individual privacy rights.

SPEAKER

Dr. Claire Glynn, Professor, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, CT

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JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

Methamphetamine is a stimulant that is often manufactured in clandestine drug laboratories. This presentation will review methamphetamine and it pharmacological and physical properties, including both the D- form stereoisomer that is a stimulant and the L-form stereoisomer that is a decongestant. Methamphetamine is produced in illicit laboratories using two major processes, the reductive amination of phenyl-2-propanone (P-2-P) and the reduction of pseudoephedrine. Within each major process there are multiple routes of manufacture. The precursors, reagents, by-products and processes that use equipment that are associated with each route of manufacture will be described, along with their impact on current signature profiling efforts. Trends in manufacture as legislation and resources have changed will be discussed.

SPEAKER

Dr. Jarrad Wagner, Professor and Lab Director, Oklahoma State University CHS, School of Forensic Sciences

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JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

This presentation will provide participants an overview of the various collaborative research efforts currently underway to help laboratories address challenges from sampling through to data interpretation. As the challenges presented by the continued presence of synthetic opioids, novel psychoactive substances, and other emerging drugs persist, laboratories are continuing to look for new analytical approaches or techniques to ease the burdens. These solutions range from modifications to existing methods or techniques to implementation of entire new technologies or workflows.

SPEAKER

Dr. Edward Sisco, Research Chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

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JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

This seminar is intended for anyone who is curious and interested in how the forensic scientist is able to examine minute traces and by means of microscopical and microchemical examination, coupled with logical reasoning determine their identity, compare them to known sources and establish their relationship with the case under investigation. The viewer will learn about the scientific instruments and techniques that aid the scientist in their quest for the truth and how they use the faculty of logical reasoning to help investigators in their investigations and the courts in the providing facts as well as testimony based on them to help judge and jury make wise and informed decisions during their deliberations.

SPEAKER

Skip Palenik, President and Senior Research Microscopist, Microtrace LLC

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Novel LCMS and HRMS Analytical Approaches

JFS Forensic Lab Talks Seminar

Liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) are powerful techniques in the identification of known and previously unknown drugs and their metabolites in forensic toxicological casework.

SPEAKER

Dr. Luke Rodda, Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Director, Forensic Laboratory Division, San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

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