Every lab has that one person everyone turns to when things get tricky — the one who knows the difference between “good enough” and courtroom ready. If that’s you, it’s time to bring your experience to the global stage.
The International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) is now accepting workshop proposals for ISHI 37, taking place October 26–29, 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island. Workshops will be scheduled before and after the main symposium on October 25, 26, and 29, giving you the opportunity to teach, connect, and inspire your peers in forensic DNA.
Why Lead a Workshop at ISHI?
At ISHI, learning doesn’t stop at the podium — it happens in hands-on, collaborative spaces where analysts swap ideas, debate best practices, and solve real-world challenges together. As a workshop leader, you’ll have the chance to:
- Share what works in your lab. Whether you’ve streamlined mixture interpretation, redefined your reporting workflow, or found smarter ways to manage backlog, your insights can help labs worldwide improve their processes.
- Build your professional reputation. Leading a workshop positions you as a trusted expert among peers, potential collaborators, and leaders shaping the future of forensic DNA.
- Connect with a network that gets it. Engage with analysts, supervisors, and directors who understand your challenges — and leave with practical solutions you can apply immediately.
- Shape the conversation. Influence the tools, techniques, and ethics that guide our field for years to come.
If you’ve ever thought, “Someone should really talk about this,” — this is your chance.
What Makes a Great ISHI Workshop
ISHI workshops are non-commercial, interactive, and built for practitioners working in forensic DNA laboratories. The best sessions go beyond lectures — they encourage discussion, collaboration, and skill-building.
We’re looking for sessions that make people say, “I can use that when I get back to the lab.”Examples of topics include:
- Mixture interpretation clinics that tackle complex, defensible cases
- Probabilistic genotyping: validation strategies, tool-agnostic approaches, and lessons learned
- Mock testimony and courtroom communication skills for analysts and expert witnesses
- Workflow efficiency and LIMS optimization for reduced turnaround time
- Case-based training in NGS, SNPs, and emerging DNA technologies
- Quality assurance, audit prep, and documentation best practices
- Leadership and mentorship for mid-career analysts managing burnout and change
- DNA backlogs, triage strategies, and ethical case prioritization
Have a fresh idea that doesn’t fit neatly into a category? Great — ISHI is built on innovation and welcomes creative formats.
*Please note that instrument and instrument-case demonstrations are not permitted due to logistical and liability limitations.
Workshop Formats and Scheduling
You can propose a full-day (8-hour) or half-day (3-hour) session.
Workshops may be scheduled as follows:
Full-Day (8 hours)
- Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Monday, October 26, 2026
Half-Day (3 hours)
- Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Monday, October 26, 2026
- Thursday, October 29, 2026
How to Submit
Ready to inspire the next generation of forensic scientists — and help your peers work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence in court? Share your expertise. Shape the future. Submit your workshop proposal by January 11, 2026.