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Now in its 34th year, ISHI is a symposium focused on DNA analysis. Experts and DNA analysts from around the world gather to share the latest technologies, announce new product concepts, and debate policy issues. The conference is open to all practitioners and suppliers of DNA analysis for human identification.
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Penny Patterson, Senior Director, Communications, Promega Corporation | 608/274.4330
Laura Barten, Barten & Associates | 608/220.8955
“Open to Dispute”: CODIS STR Loci as Private Medical Information
Published on: 5/28/2014
For nearly 25 years, advocacy groups and legal scholars have been predicting that the day when the DNA features used in forensic identification will reveal predispositions to diseases or behavioral traits is just around the corner.
2018 International Symposium on Human Identification Keynote Announced: Andrew Hessel, The Golden Age of Genomics
Download PDF2023 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) Keynote Offers Message of Resilience for Forensics Professionals
Published on: 07/25/2023
The 34th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) will welcome more than 900 forensic DNA experts and law enforcement professionals from around the world September 18-21 in Denver. Keynote speaker Allison Massari, an award-winning motivational speaker, will deliver a message on resilience and responding to difficult circumstances. Massari, who has spoken in more than 75 countries, draws on life lessons on confidence and well-being that she learned after she was severely burned in a fire.
DNA Designed for Human Rights
Published on: 9/25/2015
Exploitation of vulnerable people around the world is a continuing reality, and unlikely to be resolved with any single effort. But measures can be taken to provide resources and assistance to address these human rights abuses. In the world of forensic sciences, this can include identification of displaced or deceased persons, and the reunification of children with their biological relatives.
DNA Mixtures Topic of ISHI Talks, NIST Testing—and ‘Conflict of Interest’ Accusations
Published on: 10/5/2017
DNA mixtures are a growing concern in the world of forensic science. DNA mixtures comparison was a major topic of presentations yesterday at the annual International Symposium for Human Identification, with the industry leader STRmix the focus of several talks.
DNA Study: Bones Not Those of James Gang Gunslinger
Published on: 10/10/2011
For decades, the Northfield Historical Society thought it held the bones of the Jesse James gang gunslinger, Charlie Pitts, in its basement. Results from genetic testing of the skeleton, which Reynolds presented at the 22nd International Symposium on Human Identification, confirm earlier DNA findings showing the bones bore no relation to Pitts' descendants.
FBI’s Plans to Upgrade DNA Database Criticized by Scientists
Published on: 10/18/2011
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) plans to expand the number of genetic markers used by CODIS to try and classify individual DNA profiles. However, five prominent members of the forensic science community have criticized the FBI DNA database system according to a BBC report.
Forensic DNA experts from around the globe to convene at 29th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Phoenix next month to discuss latest trends and technologies
Download PDFIn their DNA: Finding El Salvador’s Missing Children
Published on: 4/12/2013
As part of the Alliance of Forensic Scientists for Human Rights and Humanitarian Investigations, Cristián Orrego Benavente and his colleagues use kinship analysis to help living relatives who suspect their relatives were illegally placed for adoption during times of instability to confirm the identities of individuals who may be among El Salvador's missing. In October 2012, Orrego presented his work during a workshop on forensic science and human rights offered at the 23rd International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI).
ISHI 2017: Rapid DNA, Genetic Mixtures, Next-gen and the Cold Trail of Dead Serial Killers
Published on: 9/29/2017
The Wilder case is one of the marquee presentations at the annual conference. Other presentations will focus on the advent of Rapid DNA, genetic mixtures controversies, the familial DNA debate, next-generation sequencing, and best practices for sampling swabs, among a litany of other topics, according to organizers.
ISHI 2018 Notebook: Rape Kits, Rapid DNA, and the Golden State Killer
Published on: September 27, 2018
Jennifer Janetsky, of the Genesee County (Michigan) Prosecutor’s Office, spoke of the three victims, including a teenage girl named Eden and a disabled mother named Jessica who was raped in front of her husband and baby. But the story of the third silenced the crowd at the International Symposium on Human Identification utterly.
ISHI 2018: COPAN’s Solution for Mass Casualty DNA on the Fly
Published on: September 28, 2018
One of the major pragmatic devices showcased at ISHI is a collection tool developed in Europe that combines forensic needs, accelerated speed, and advanced genetic analysis to respond to mass casualty incidents—like American mass shootings.
ISHI 2018: Genealogy, Mixtures and Genomics Power the Latest
Published on: September 24, 2018
Genealogy, genomics, DNA mixture interpretation and implementing forensic casework will drive this week’s annual International Symposium on Human Identification, at the Phoenix Convention Center through Thursday.
ISHI 26 Press Release
2015 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) Welcomes 50+ International Forensic DNA Experts.
Download PDFISHI 26 Press Release 2
50+ Forensic DNA Experts to Present at the 2015 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI).
Download PDFISHI 27 Media Advisory
Enhance Your Expertise in Forensic DNA at the 2016 International Symposium on Human Identification.
Download PDFISHI 27 Press Release
Video Journalist David O’Shea to Headline 2016 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI).
Download PDFISHI 28 Media Adivsory
Learn from the World’s Foremost Forensic DNA Experts at the 2017 International Symposium on Human Identification.
Download PDFISHI 28 Press Release
From genetic genealogy to rapid DNA analysis and MPS, explore real-word forensic DNA applications with the experts at ISHI 2017
Download PDFISHI 28_Fact Sheet
Now in its 28th year, the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) is the largest symposium in the world focused on DNA analysis for human identification.
Download PDFISHI 29 Comes to Phoenix in September
Published on: July 2018
The general session program will include more than thirty presentations given by experts in the field. Talks will cover some of the most pressing issues in forensics including use of genealogical databases to solve criminal cases, as was done to generate a profile in the Golden State Killer case. Additional topics will include the outlook for rapid DNA analysis and multiple parallel sequencing, interesting cases solved with DNA analysis and more.
ISHI 30 Press Release 1
Detective in Golden State Killer Case to Open 30th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) September 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA.
Download PDFISHI 30 Press Release 2
Forensic DNA experts to gather for 30th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) Sept. 23-26 in Palm Springs: World’s largest meeting focusing entirely on DNA forensics.
Download PDFISHI Keynote: Argentina’s Dirty War Gave DNA chance to Set History Straight
Published on: 9/29/2016
O’Shea gave the keynote address at the 27th annual ISHI conference this week. He shared his discoveries amid making the documentary “Returning the Stolen,” about the children taken from the victims during a decade of horror in the South American county.
ISHI Talk: DNA at the Dozier School for Boys Explains Only Part of the Horror
Published on: 9/30/2016
Over the course of an exhaustive investigation that combined anthropological detective work, and exacting DNA analysis, the legends were borne out by a massive investigation. Fifty-five graves were found on the site – 23 of which had been unknown, according to Kendra Felipe-Ortega, a senior forensic analyst at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, who handled the Dozier DNA.
ISHI Talk: EDTA Test Accurate, From OJ Simpson Trial to ‘Making a Murderer’
Published on: 9/28/2016
The little-known chemical used to preserve blood samples in a laboratory has entered the popular consciousness only twice in decades: during the “trial of the 20th century,” and from this year’s most popular true-crime documentary.
ISHI: Largest DNA Symposium a Success in Texas
Published on: 10/15/2015
The largest conference on DNA analysis took place this week in a massive convention complex that proved the old Texan slogan: everything really is bigger in Texas. The 26th annual ISHI symposium, presented by Promega at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center, welcomed over 950 attendees from over 40 countries around the world.
Rape Survivor Unexpectedly Meets the Woman Who Sent Her Attacker to Jail: ‘She’s My Lifesaver’
Published on: 10/11/2016
Julie Weil survived the unthinkable — a brutal kidnapping and rape — that kept her homebound for six months until her attacker was caught. It was a DNA match that nailed her attacker, dubbed the “daycare rapist,” and last week, 14 years later and now working as an advocate for rape survivors, Weil was speaking at a conference, unaware that the DNA analyst that solved her case was in the audience.
The Power of Information
Published on: 4/10/2012
How can forensic professionals harness the performance data they need to both improve their own work and communicate their needs to a larger audience? Enter Foresight. Dr. Witt presented his findings from the Foresight project at the 2011 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI).