Rapid DNA in Mass Fatality Response: Bringing Testing to the Field and Experts to the Results
Mass fatality incidents (MFIs) present some of the most complex human identification challenges forensic scientists will face. Responders may need to manage large numbers of unidentified human remains, personal effects, family reference samples, DNA profiles, and potential biological relationships, all while families anxiously await answers. SNA International (SNA) brings experience from major mass fatality and […]
Protecting Forensic DNA Workflows: How High-Purity Consumables and Automation Support Reproducible Results
In forensic DNA analysis, confidence begins long before amplification and interpretation. It starts with the integrity of every sample, every tube, and every pipette tip that touches precious evidence. Because even trace contamination can compromise results, Eppendorf has designed tools not only for precision, but also for contamination control, documentation, and workflow consistency. Why Contamination […]
This Week in Forensic Science
No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door! Marshall University Forensic Science Center Receives $2.5 Million to Expand DNA Testing (Marshall.edu – […]
STR Nomenclature: Building a Common Language for Forensic Genomics
As next-generation sequencing (NGS) becomes more commonplace in forensic genetics, one of the critical questions facing NGS-equipped laboratories is: how can scientists consistently interpret, share and compare short tandem repeats (STR) sequencing data? At the center of this challenge is STR nomenclature – the system used to describe STR alleles. Insights from experts such as […]
Forensic MPS. Redefined.
Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) has long promised to transform forensic DNA analysis. The ability to interrogate more loci, generate richer allele data, and multiplex dozens of samples in a single run represents a compelling leap forward from capillary electrophoresis (CE). Yet adoption in routine casework has remained limited—held back by complex, multi-step library preparation workflows […]
This Week in Forensic Science
No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door! FBI Laboratory Eliminates DNA-Processing Backlog (FBI.gov – 9/18/2026) A team of laboratory, data-management, and […]
Defensibility by Design: Embedding Auditability into Forensic Genome Sequencing
Othram has developed a new method to embed proof of proper handling and authenticity directly into the DNA evidence itself, adding a molecular layer of verification that complements traditional chain-of-custody records. Forensic DNA testing has always required results that are defensible. From its earliest use in criminal investigations and human identification, forensic genetics has operated […]
Meet Your ISHI 37 Speakers: Raman Sandhu-Kirmer
Mesa Forensic Laboratory replaced almost every major piece of its DNA workflow at once: new quantification kits, new amplification chemistries, new instruments, new thermocyclers. Every system passed validation. Turnaround times got worse. None of it was a science problem. The methods worked exactly as validated. What nobody planned for was staffing, training schedules, and a […]
This Week in Forensic Science
No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door! New Jersey State Police and FBI Leverage Othram’s Identity Inference Platform to Identify the […]