International Symposium on Human Identification: 7-10 October

The 24th International Symposium on Human Identification is said to be the largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification. To be held from 7-10 October in Atlanta, Georgia, the event provides an opportunity for DNA analysts, members of law enforcement and other DNA industry professionals to learn about emerging forensic DNA techniques from experts in the field.

ISHI 2013 will explore advances in next-generation sequencing, rapid DNA analysis, mixture interpretation and other current topics in human identification. This year’s presenters and panellists include, but are not limited to:

• Kevin Davies, PhD: Keynote speaker Kevin Davies is the author of Cracking the Genome and The $1000 Genome, and the current editor-in-chief of Bio-IT World. His talk will explore the impact that affordable personal genetic testing may have on the future of personal medicine and beyond.
• Turi King, PhD: A lecturer in Genetics and Archaeology at the University of Leicester and manager of the Leverhulme-funded project The Impact of Diasporas on the Making of Britain, Turi King is a member of the team that discovered the remains of Richard III in a Leicester parking lot in 2012. She will be discussing her experience on that project.
• Greg Hampikian, PhD: Best known as a volunteer forensic DNA expert on various cases for The Innocence Project, Greg Hampikian will present two talks: one about his experience on the Amanda Knox case and the second focusing on his pioneering work on Nullomers - amino acids the body doesn’t specifically code for but are theoretically possible.
• Jennifer Schuett and Tim Cromie: In 1990, eight-year-old Jennifer Schuett was abducted from her home, raped and left for dead in a field after her attacker slit her throat. Though her case went cold, thanks in part to the dogged efforts of Detective Tim Cromie her attacker was brought to justice 19 years later. Cromie and Schuett will present their case at ISHI 2013.

There will also be workshops and an exhibition. A full agenda, speaker biographies and continuing program updates are available at www.ishinews.com.

The symposium is offered through Promega Corporation, a provider of innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry.