Forensic Bioinformatics
3rd Annual Conference
DNA from Crime Scene to Court Room: An Expert Forum

August 20 - 22, 2004

University of Dayton School of Law
Dayton, OH

Schedule


Friday, August 20th

Session I - Handling of forensic DNA evidence samples

8:15 - 8:50 am : Registration (Coffee and pastries)

8:50 - 8:55 : Welcome (Dr. Dan Krane, Wright State University)

8:55 - 9:00 : Welcome (Lisa Kloppenberg, Dean of UD School of Law)

9:00- 10:00 : The historical development of the practice of forensic science: By what standards do we practice our discipline? (Keith Inman, CA DOJ)

10:00 - 11:00 : Panel Discussion: Advantages of different testing kits (Marc Taylor, Mary Reed, Keith Inman)

11:00 - 12:00 : Comparison of forensic and clinical laboratory quality assurance and control (Janine Arvizu)

12:00 - 1:00 : Lunch (provided)



Session II - Analysis of forensic DNA evidence samples

1:00 - 1:45 : Studies of DNA transfer (Marc Taylor, Technical Associates, Inc.)

1:45 - 2:15 : Strengths and weaknesses of commonly used serological tests (Marc Taylor, Technical Associates, Inc.)

2:15 - 3:00 : Understanding a testing lab's audit reports (Mary Reed, IN State police)

3:00 - 3:15 : Break

3:15 - 3:45 : The frequency, causes and implications of machine failure in STR testing (Dr. Simon Ford, Lexigen/FBS)

3:45 - 4:45 : What can and cannot be learned from DNA and other physical evidence (Keith Inman, CA DOJ)



Saturday, August 21st

Session III - The making of a good human identification system

8:30 - 9:00 : Prospects for more than 13 commonly used STR tetranucleotide loci in forensic settings (Carrie Rowland, Forensic Bioinformatics)

9:00 - 9:45 : Using mtDNA sequencing appropriately in forensic work with both humans and other mammals (Dr. William Shields, SUNY-Syracuse)

9:45 - 10:00 : Strengths and weaknesses associated with Y-STR genotyping (Dr. Dan Krane, Forensic Bioinformatics/Wright State University)

10:00 - 10:30 : Racial identification and future applications of SNPs (Dr. Theodore Kessis, Applied DNA Resources)

10:30 - 11:00 : The technical artifacts of forensic STR testing: stutter, pull-up, spikes, blobs, and degradation (Jason Gilder, Forensic Bioinformatics)

11:00 - 11:30 : Empirical analyses of allele sharing and simulated mixtures (Dr. Travis Doom, Wright State University)

11:30 - 12:00 : Deconvolution and the multidimensional "sweet spot" for analyses of mixed DNA samples (Dr. Michael Raymer, Wright State University)

12:00 - 1:00 : Lunch (provided)



Session IV - Using statistics to describe the strength of DNA evidence

1:00 - 1:45 : Accounting for allelic dropout (Dr. Sandy Zabell, Northwestern)

1:45 - 2:30 : Identifying uncertainly in estimated match probabilities and likelihood ratios (Dr. Amy Anderson, Dr. Bruce Weir, NC State)

2:30 - 2:45 : Break

2:45 - 3:30 : Significance of matching DNA profiles found by either high or moderate stringency searches of databases (Dr. Larry Mueller, UC Irvine)

3:30 - 4:45 : Actual Innocence : Lessons learned from incorrect declarations of matches (Dr. William Thompson, UC Irvine)

4:45 - 5:00 : Panel discussion: using statistics to describe the strength of DNA profiling results in light of technical artifacts, imperfect databases, cold hits and mistakes. (Drs. Amy Anderson, Larry Mueller, Bill Thompson, and Sandy Zabell)

6:30 - Dinner on own or as a group at the Dublin Pub



Sunday, August 22nd

Session V - Effective assistance of counsel in criminal cases with DNA evidence

9:00 - 10:15 : Genophiler: A starting point for reviewing DNA testing results (Drs. Raymer and Doom, Wright State University)

10:15 - 11:00 : Obtaining, reviewing and using corrective action files (Jennifer Friedman , Los Angeles Public Defender's Office)

11:00 - 11:45 : Online resources for DNA litigation (Dr. William Thompson, UC Irvine)

11:45 - 1:00 : Lunch (provided)

1:00 - 1:45 : Using expert witnesses to explain how and why the other side got it wrong (Cindy Dryden, Missouri Public Defender's Office)

1:45 - 2:45 : Litigating high profile cases (Bob Blasier, CA)

2:45 - 3:00 : Break

3:00 - 3:45 : Making DNA understandable to jurors (Dr. Ron Ostrowski, UNC Charlotte)

3:45 - 4:15 : What constitutes due diligence? (Drew Northrup, Cook County Public Defender's Office)

4:15 - 5:00 : Using DNA profiling for exonerations: Establishing innocence projects (Colin Starger, Cardozo Law Clinic)

5:00 - Adjourn

About the Conference
The third annual forum of DNA profiling experts will be presented jointly by the University of Dayton School of Law, Wright State University and Forensic Bioinformatics, Inc., at the University of Dayton School of Law in Dayton, Ohio. The conference is primarily intended to be an opportunity for experts and attorneys familiar with forensic DNA profiling to exchange information and insights. Less experienced attorneys learn what issues may be important to criminal cases they are litigating as well as to determine which resources and experts are best suited to assist them. There are no admission restrictions.

Over a period of three days, the seminar will provide 1200 minutes of live class room instruction (not including meals or breaks) and cover subjects germane to forensic DNA including: evidence collection, quality assurance, validation of laboratory procedures, transfer, identification, technical artifacts and error, juror comprehension, expert witness selection and due diligence. Course materials consisting of speaker presentations and supporting references such as key literature, legal documents and web sites will be provided to each participant in electronic format at the beginning of the seminar. Written course evaluations will be solicited from all participants.

Location
The conference will be held at University of Dayton Law School in Dayton, OH. The link contains directions and information on local hotels.

Visit this link to get a map of the campus. The law school is located in Joseph E. Keller Hall (number 20 on the map).

CLE Credit
CLE accreditation is pending for all forty states that offer CLE credit.

Alabama: 20.3 credits.

Alaska: 20.25 credits.

Arkansas: 20.25 credits.

California: 24 credits.

Colorado: 24 credits.

Delaware: 20.3 credits.

Florida: 24 credits.

Georgia: 20.8 credits.

Idaho: 19.5 credits.

Indiana: 19.5 credits.

Iowa: 20 credits.

Kansas: 24 credits.

Kentucky: 20.25 credits.

Louisiana: 20.25 credits.

Maine: 20.25 credits.

Minnesota: 20.25 credits.

Mississippi: 18 credits, plus 3.8 regulation credits.

Missouri: 24 credits.

Montana: 20.25 credits.

Nevada: 20 credits.

New York: 24 credits.

New Hampshire: 20.2 credits.

North Carolina: 20.25 credits.

North Dakota: 20.25 credits.

Ohio: 19.75 credits.

Oklahoma: 23.5 credits.

Oregon: 20.75 credits.

Pennsylvania: 20 credits.

Rhode Island: 20 credits.

South Carolina: 20.25 credits.

Tennessee: 19.75 credits.

Texas: 20.25 credits.

Utah: 20 credits.

Vermont: 20.25 credits.

Virginia: 16.5 credits.

West Virginia: 24.3 credits.

Wisconsin: 23 credits.

Wyoming: 20.25 credits.

Registration
Prior to June 15: $150 for all three days, $120 for the first two days, and $75 for the third day.

After June 15: $195 for all three days, $145 for the first two days, and $90 for the third day.

Download the registration form here.

Note: You must pre-register for the conference regardless of when you will be paying. Please register as soon as possible.

Travel Arrangements
All-World Travel is offering discounted airfare through Delta airlines.

1) Book on-line
You can purchase your airline tickets on-line at all-world.com. Please mention the "Forensic Bioinformatics DNA conference" in the comments box.

2) Full-service agent
To speak to a live agent, please call (800) 592-9998. Please mention the "Forensic Bioinformatics DNA conference".

Hotel

The Crowne Plaza is offering rooms for $129 a night. Call (937) 224-0800 to reserve a room.

A free shuttle is available to and from the airport until 10pm.

Transportation will also be provided to and from the conference.

Directions
Visit this link to get a map of the campus. The law school is located in Joseph E. Keller Hall (number 20 on the map).

Questions?
Contact Carrie Rowland through e-mail or call Forensic Bioinformatics at (937) 426-9270.