Implementation of Rapid DNA Part 1 – ISHI News

Workshop

Implementation of Rapid DNA Part 1

Monday September 14th, 2020 // 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Registration Fee for Parts 1 and 2$100

Description:

This workshop will cover the implementation of Rapid DNA in the United States. Participants will hear lessons learned from contributing states in the FBI’s Arrestee Rapid DNA Booking Station Pilot Program as well as an overview of the FBI’s Booking Station Standards and National Booking Station Procedures. Updates from SWGDAM’s Rapid DNA Working Group and the FBI’s Rapid DNA Task Force will enhance discussions in the afternoon regarding technology advancement needs of Rapid DNA instrumentation for possible future crime scene database use.

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Attendees will gain knowledge of requirements needed to implement Rapid DNA in the booking station.
  2. Attendees will gain knowledge of requirements needed to implement Rapid DNA in the booking station.
  3. Attendees will engage in discussions regarding potential use of Rapid DNA on crime scene evidence.

 

Intended Audience:

The intended audience is forensic science practitioners and researchers. No prerequisite knowledge is needed.

 

Agenda:

TimeTopicSpeaker
1:00-1:05pmIntroductions to Rapid DNA Workshop
1:05-1:35pmRapid DNA HistoryThomas Callaghan
1:35-2:05pmRapid DNA and CODIS – Myth BustingDouglas Hares
2:05-2:15pmQ&A and Break
2:15-2:35pmBooking Pilot IntroductionGeorge Li
2:35-2:45pmArizona PilotMark Smith
2:45-2:55pmFlorida PilotChris Carney
2:55-3:05pmLouisiana PilotPhilip Simmers
3:05-3:15pmTexas PilotGary Molina
3:15-3:25pmQ&A and Break
3:25-4:00pmBooking Station Standards and National Booking ProceduresDouglas Hares
4:00-4:30pmOpen Discussion/Questions Regarding Rapid DNA in the Booking EnvironmentDouglas Hares, Thomas Callaghan, Geroge Li
4:30-4:35pmClosing Day One Discussion

Speakers

Private: Thomas CallaghanCo-Chair

FBI Laboratory’s Biometric Analysis Section

As a member of the FBI DNA Analysis Unit, Thomas Callaghan was involved in the analysis of hundreds of homicide and rape cases. In 1999, Dr. Callaghan initiated the FBI’s Federal Convicted Offender DNA Database. In 2003, he became the first CODIS Unit Chief and has been involved with the CODIS Program for over 20 years.

Private: Chris Carney

DNA Investigative Support Database Supervisor, Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Chris has more than twenty-six years of forensic experience, including an extensive knowledge of the information technology systems supporting DNA Databasing laboratories.

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Private: Anna Dadhania

Forensic Scientist, Science and Technology Unit, Orange County District Attorney's Office

At the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) since 2015, Anna Dadhania works as a Forensic Scientist in the office’s Science and Technology Unit.  In this role, she is an administrator for the OCDA DNA Database, the largest consensual local DNA database in the United States, and a vital part of the agency’s Rapid DNA program, involved in validation, troubleshooting, and training, along with the day to day functions of the Rapid DNA program.

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Private: Frederick Harran

Director, Bensalem Township Police Department

Director Harran has served in law enforcement with the Bensalem Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for 33 years. Director Harran lectures nationally on a variety of issues including DNA, current drug trends and initiatives, school safety, grant writing and funding sources.  He has received over 30 awards and citations for his work in both law enforcement and in the community.

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Douglas HaresCo-Chair

Rapid DNA Implementation Program Advisor for the FBI’s Biometric Analysis Section

Dr. Hares is the Rapid DNA Implementation Program Advisor for the FBI’s Biometric Analysis Section.  He joined the DNA Analysis Unit II of the FBI Laboratory in 2000 as a Forensic Examiner.  In 2006, Dr. Hares transferred to the CODIS Unit where he served as the NDIS Custodian for over 13 years. 

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Private: Jody Hynds

Senior Forensic Scientist, Orange County District Attorney’s Office

Since 2010, Jody has been a Senior Forensic Scientist for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office as their local database administrator and general DNA expert in their DNA Unit.

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Private: George Li

Rapid DNA Program Manager, FBI Laboratory CODIS Unit

In his current position at the FBI Laboratory, Mr. Li is responsible for facilitating the implementation of Rapid DNA technology at law enforcement booking stations in coordination with each state’s CODIS laboratories.

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Private: Gary Molina

CODIS Program Manager, Texas Department of Public Safety

Gary Molina has been employed with the Texas Department of Public Safety for 28 years. Gary is a member of American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Southwestern Association of Forensic Sciences, and a Fellow in the Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators. He has served on the National DNA Index System Procedures Board and is currently a member of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods.

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Private: Melissa Mourges

Chief of the Forensic Sciences/Cold Case Unit, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Melissa Mourges has been a prosecutor for over 35 years. She is currently the Chief of the Forensic Sciences/Cold Case Unit in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She acts as liaison between the 500 lawyers in her office and the DNA, ballistics, latent print and other forensic labs with which her office works, training and helping prosecutors interpret reports, answer Frye motions, and insuring that prosecutors properly state the strength of the evidence when they present cases in court.

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Private: Philip Simmers

CODIS Unit Manager and the State CODIS Administrator, Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory

Philip led the Louisiana contingent of the FBI’s Rapid DNA Pilot Implementation Committee.  He is a member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and the Louisiana Association of Forensic Scientists, and currently serves as an invited guest at the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods.

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Mark Smith

DNA Database Supervisor and Rapid DNA Coordinator, Arizona Department of Public Safety

Mark Smith has been employed with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 21 years and currently supervises the Technical Support Unit, covering both the statewide Breath Alcohol and Law Enforcement Rapid DNA Programs. Prior to that, he was the DNA Database supervisor and has processed casework for nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA cases.

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Private: Richard Wilson

Unit Chief of the CODIS Unit, FBI

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