Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Carlos Morales
Behind every unidentified person is a family waiting for answers—and for Carlos Morales, that human connection is at the heart of his work. As part of the Center for Human Identification (CHI) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Carlos has spent years advancing the use of forensic DNA to reunite names with […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Vanessa Lynch
In regions affected by conflict, survivors of sexual violence often face a second injustice: the absence of forensic systems that can hold perpetrators accountable. For Vanessa Lynch, founder of DNAforAfrica, that gap is not just a technical challenge—it’s a moral one. At ISHI, Vanessa will present “Samples2Solutions: Advancing Forensic DNA Capacity to Support Survivors of […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Walther Parson
Some cases capture the imagination long after the evidence has aged. The story of Kaspar Hauser, a 19th-century figure shrouded in mystery and myth, is one such case—and it has revealed an unexpected lesson for modern forensic genetics. At ISHI, Walther Parson will present “The Kaspar Hauser Enigma: Historical Myths and Scientific Controversy.” By revisiting […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Cristina Servidio
Cold cases can linger for decades, waiting for the right tools to bring answers forward. For Cristina Servidio, Senior DNA Analyst at DNA Labs International, that challenge comes down to one question: when traditional STR testing fails, what else can DNA reveal? At ISHI, Cristina will present “No More Mister ‘Nice Guy’: A Look […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Brian Hoey
Forensic DNA analysts work at the intersection of science, justice, and relentless pressure. As caseloads grow and expectations rise, so too does the toll on the people behind the bench. Few understand this better than Brian Hoey, whose career has spanned casework, leadership, and deep engagement with the forensic community. At ISHI, Brian will join […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Mohamed Elsayed
Backlogs in sexual assault kit testing remain one of the most stubborn challenges in forensic DNA, with turnaround times that can stretch for months. For Mohamed Elsayed, an engineer-turned-innovator, that reality sparked a bold question: what if analysis didn’t have to wait for the lab at all? At ISHI, Mohamed will present “Toward Analysis at […]
Meet Your ISHI 36 Speakers: Elyssa Trautmann
Cold cases often carry the weight of time, unanswered questions, and evidence that doesn’t always fit neatly into today’s standard workflows. For Elyssa Trautmann, a DNA analyst with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, that challenge has become a calling. Guided by the wisdom of veteran colleagues and the encouragement of trusted mentors, Elyssa has […]
Legacy in the Mitochondria: Walther Parson and the Team Shaping the Future of Forensic Genetics
Interviews written and collated by Nicole Siffling, Tara Luther, Promega with assistance from AI. Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. Inside the Institute of Legal Medicine at Innsbruck Medical University, where mountain views rival the scientific vistas unfolding in the lab, Dr. Walther Parson has spent decades building one of the world’s most influential […]
Shaping the Future of Forensic Genetics: Claire Glynn on Advancing Science and Empowering Students
What’s it like to transform a field while training the next generation of forensic scientists? At ISHI 35, Claire Glynn, Associate Professor at the University of New Haven, sat down with ISHI Student Ambassador, Charlotte Sutter, to discuss her journey in forensic genetics, from groundbreaking work in FIGG to launching an innovative graduate certificate program. […]