DAYTON, Ohio, June 9 (AScribe Newswire) -- National leaders on DNA testing in such noted cases as O.J. Simpson, Scott Peterson and Ted Kaczynski will gather for three days in Dayton this summer for the Third Annual Forensic Bioinformatics Conference.
Dan Krane, Ph.D., an associate professor of biological sciences at Wright State University and nationally recognized expert on DNA testing, is directing the conference that will be held Aug. 20-22 at the University of Dayton School of Law.
"DNA from Crime Scene to Court Room: An Expert Forum" is the title of the event expected to attract 350 lawyers, legal experts and forensic scientists.
Krane said DNA experts from such high profile cases as the O.J. Simpson and Scott Peterson murder trials, Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and 1993 World Trade Center bombing trial will participate, along with forensic experts who have advised television crime shows like Quincy and been interviewed on the news documentary program 60 Minutes.
"This conference will cover all aspects of DNA testing and interpretation and will be of particular interest for defense attorneys," explained Krane. "DNA experts who are the movers and shakers in the field will explain the issues they face in cases today, as well as cutting- edge research."
The conference is a joint presentation of Wright State University, the University of Dayton School of Law and Forensic Bioinformatics, Inc., a firm specializing in DNA testing that is directed by Krane.
Forensic DNA topics to be discussed include evidence collection, quality assurance, validation of laboratory procedures, juror comprehension and expert witness selection.
Speakers include Krane, who has testified as an expert witness in some 50 cases; Marc Taylor, former criminalist with the Los Angeles Medical Examiners Office who served as technical advisor to the Quincy television series; Robert Blasier, a California defense lawyer who worked on the Simpson and Kaczynski cases; William Shields, a State University of New York professor who has testified in the Peterson murder trial in California; Bruce Wier, a North Carolina State University professor who testified at the Simpson trial; William Thompson, a criminology professor at the University of California, Irvine, who has been interviewed on 60 Minutes; Greg OReilly, a public defender from Chicago who was instrumental in the death penalty moratorium in Illinois; and Ron Ostrowski, a University of North Carolina faculty member in genetics who was involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing trial.
For more details on the conference and registration information go to the Web site www.bioforensics.com or contact Krane at 937-775-2257 or dan.krane@wright.edu.
CONTACT FORMATION
Richard Doty, Wright State University Media Relations, 937-775-3232
Wendy Feerer Media Specialist/Web Coordinator Office of Communications and Marketing Wright State University 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, Ohio 45435 937-775-3314 fax: 937-775-3235