Bringing FGG into the Publicly Accredited Laboratory – Considerations from Validation to Implementation

  • Workshop
  • September 22, 2024 //
  • 8:30 am -
  • 5:00 pm //
  • Grand Oaks Ballroom A-C

Description:

In August 2023, the Center for Human Identification (CHI) at the University of North Texas became the first publicly accredited laboratory in the U.S. to implement SNP testing using NGS technology for Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG). This workshop will provide the audience with our roadmap and perspective on the challenges of implementing FGG into a public laboratory.

We will discuss the initial considerations and decisions we made early in the process, the benefits and limitations of each approach, and describe the validation, accreditation and implementation strategies for bringing FGG casework into the public laboratory.

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Targeted SNPs, Microarrays, and Whole Genome Sequencing for FGG – is there a “Goldilocks” approach for the three FGG bears?
  2. Validation of FGG methods for SNP genotyping
  3. Considerations for Accreditation
  4. Considerations for genealogical research

 

Intended Audience:

This workshop is intended for DNA analysts, supervisors, technical leaders, attorneys and judges. Suitable for those just beginning.

 

 

Description:

In August 2023, the Center for Human Identification (CHI) at the University of North Texas became the first publicly accredited laboratory in the U.S. to implement SNP testing using NGS technology for Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG). This workshop will provide the audience with our roadmap and perspective on the challenges of implementing FGG into a public laboratory.

We will discuss the initial considerations and decisions we made early in the process, the benefits and limitations of each approach, and describe the validation, accreditation and implementation strategies for bringing FGG casework into the public laboratory.

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Targeted SNPs, Microarrays, and Whole Genome Sequencing for FGG – is there a “Goldilocks” approach for the three FGG bears?
  2. Validation of FGG methods for SNP genotyping
  3. Considerations for Accreditation
  4. Considerations for genealogical research

 

Intended Audience:

This workshop is intended for DNA analysts, supervisors, technical leaders, attorneys and judges. Suitable for those just beginning.

 

 

Pricing:


  • Standard Registration$345
  • Student Registration$195

Fee includes breakfast, lunch, breaks and handouts.

  • Early Registration
  • $250.00
  • Standard Registration (after July 15)
  • $295.00
  • Student Registration$195.00
  • $195.00

Workshop currently at capacity. A waitlist is available to join on our registration page.

Brought to you by

Worldwide Association of Women Forensic Experts

Agenda:


8:30 – 9:15AM
Welcome and Introduction – Michael Coble
9:15 – 9:45AM
FGG Overview – Melissa Haas
9:45 – 10:30AM
Kintelligence – Amy Smuts
10:30 – 10:45AM
BREAK
10:45 – 11:30AM
GSA (Microarray) – Amy Smuts
11:30AM – 12:15PM
WGS – Part 1 – Nicole Novroski
12:15 – 1:15PM
LUNCH
1:15 – 2:15PM
WGS – Part 2 – August Woerner
2:15 – 3:00PM
Accreditation – Melissa Haas
3:00 – 3:15PM
BREAK
3:15 – 4:45PM
Genealogy – Wendy McLean
4:45 – 5:00PM
Questions
Chair

Michael Coble

Professor and Executive Director, Center for Human Identification (CHI), University of North Texas Health Science Center

Michael Coble, PhD, is a Professor and the Executive Director of the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. Dr. Coble received his PhD in Genetics from The George Washington University. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in forensic DNA analysis and interpretation and is recognized among the top 2% of highly cited researchers worldwide.

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Melissa Haas

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Wendy McLean

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Nicole Novroski

Associate Professor and Associate Director, Center for Human Identification (CHI), University of North Texas Health Science Center

Dr. Nicole Novroski is an Associate Professor with tenure in the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences and the Associate Director for the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Dr. Novroski specializes in using massively parallel sequencing coupled with novel approaches and methodologies for forensic human identity testing. Her current focus is the exploration of previously uncharacterized genetic markers for improved DNA mixture deconvolution and in the optimization of genetic workflows for investigative genetic genealogy.

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Amy Smuts

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August Woerner

Associate Professor, Center for Human Identification (CHI), University of North Texas Health Science Center

August Woerner is an Associate Professor in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. By training he is a computer scientist and a geneticist, and he has been an active researcher in the fields of computational biology, bioinformatics and population genomics for almost twenty years. August has served on several genome consortia, developed numerous software packages, and his works have been cited over 4500 times. Much of August’s current research focuses on whole genome sequencing, particular, its application to forensic genetic genealogy.

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