Workshop
Engaging Collaboration: How to Further Cold Cases with Advanced DNA Approaches
Thursday September 26th, 2024 // 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm // JW Marriott Hill Country, Room Grand AB
Description:
This workshop will provide a template for all stakeholders to further cold case investigations through collaboration across agencies and departments using advanced DNA methods. These methods include a combination of traditional STR/Mito CODIS upload, RapidDNA, and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). Contemporary Missing Persons Day Events and DNA Drives are an important forensic tool. These events require careful coordination between law enforcement, medical examiner/coroner offices, forensic labs, and the public to ensure processes undertaken are within the boundaries of the law and are carried out ethically and responsibly. Successful execution fosters positive interactions between the stake holders and the community.
Learning Outcomes:
- Engaging law enforcement, medical examiner/coroner offices, FIGG practitioners, and forensic DNA laboratories to collaborate together.
- Providing a template for all stakeholders to conduct a contemporary Missing Persons Day and DNA Drive to include promoting, organizing, and executing the events.
- Providing education on how advanced DNA methods, e.g., Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) works and how all interested parties can make informed, ethical decisions.
- Applying advanced DNA methods across disciplines to successfully complete disaster victim identifications.
Intended Audience:
Professionals from law enforcement, medico-legal, forensic lab, academia, and genealogy. Some knowledge required.
Speakers
Jason MoranChair
President – JEMM Consulting, LLC
Jason P. Moran is the President of JEMM Consulting, LLC. Jason is also a member of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office where he has served for twenty-five (25) years. He currently holds the rank of Commander of Police. In that role, Jason leads the Forensic Services Initiative which is responsible for the investigation of human identification cases, complex deaths, cold missing person and homicide cases, and death care industry incidents.
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Kimberly Gin
Retired Coroner, Sacramento County
Kimberly Gin retired from her role as Coroner for Sacramento County in 2022 and now runs her own consultancy, Kim Gin Professional Solutions, LLC. As the First Past President of the California State Coroners' Association and a member of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, she is well-regarded in her field. Her notable achievements include utilizing Rapid DNA to identify disaster victims in the Camp Fire and Santa Barbara Dive Boat Fire and using Investigative Genetic Genealogy to solve multiple cold cases.
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Dr. Claire Glynn
Associate Professor, University of New Haven
Dr. Glynn, who joined the University of New Haven in 2014, teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic science, focused on forensic biology, forensic DNA analysis, and forensic/investigative genetic genealogy (F/IGG). Her research interests are focused F/IGG, and a broad range of applications for this novel investigatory tool. This includes investigating the effects of degraded samples and novel technologies, establishing best practices, the international feasibility of this tool, historical applications, and ethical considerations, to name just a few. Her other research interests include Rapid DNA analysis, RNA (mRNA and miRNA) analysis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) applications, and DNA Methylation markers.
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