Workshop
Bringing FGG into the Publicly Accredited Laboratory – Considerations from Validation to Implementation
Sunday September 22nd, 2024 // 8:30 am - 5:00 pm // JW Marriott Hill Country, Room Grand AB
Fee includes breakfast, lunch, breaks and handouts.
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:
- Targeted SNPs, Microarrays, and Whole Genome Sequencing for FGG – is there a “Goldilocks” approach for the three FGG bears?
- Validation of FGG methods for SNP genotyping
- Considerations for Accreditation
- Considerations for genealogical research
Intended Audience:
This workshop is intended for DNA analysts, supervisors, technical leaders, attorneys and judges. Suitable for those just beginning.
Speakers
Michael CobleChair
Executive Director, Center for Human Identification, UNTHSC
Michael Coble, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Executive Director of the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. He serves as a commissioner of the Texas Forensic Science Commission and is an invited guest at the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM).
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Wendy McLean
Genealogist, Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health & Science Center
Wendy began using genetic genealogy with cases of unknown or misattributed parentage in 2017. In 2020 she brought her skills into the world of Human Identification and since that time has helped with cases through Redgrave Research, DNA Doe Project, Cold Case Coalition/Intermountain Forensics and Bode Technology.
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Nicole Novroski
Assistant Professor, Forensic Science Program (Dept of Anthropology), University of Toronto
Dr. Nicole Novroski is currently an Assistant Professor in the Forensic Science Program (Dept of Anthropology) at the University of Toronto. Her research focus throughout her PhD, and now as a faculty member, is DNA mixture deconvolution. Nicole is also exploring a variety of new approaches and methods for forensic DNA typing.
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