Legacy in the Mitochondria: Walther Parson and the Team Shaping the Future of Forensic Genetics
Interviews written and collated by Nicole Siffling, Tara Luther, Promega with assistance from AI. Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. Inside the Institute of Legal Medicine at Innsbruck Medical University, where mountain views rival the scientific vistas unfolding in the lab, Dr. Walther Parson has spent decades building one of the world’s most influential […]
A Virtual Global Team Solving Cold Cases with Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy
What if forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) could work across time zones—solving cases 24/7? At ISHI 35, Runa Daniel shared the groundbreaking work of the first-ever Virtual International FIGG Team, developed in partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Australian Federal Police. This global network of forensic scientists, law enforcement, and intelligence […]
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! Investigators, Forensic Technology Help Identify Woman in 1968 Cold Case Murder in Will County, […]
Building the Framework: Strategic Planning for Investigative Genetic Genealogy Teams
Written by Cairenn Binder, Assistant Director, IGG Center and the Director of the IGG Certificate Program. Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. The field of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is experiencing a period of rapid growth and development, with some public laboratories and law enforcement agencies choosing to bring IGG work in-house in order […]
Extracting Human DNA from Maggots? Forensic Entomology Offers A New Forensic Tool
At ISHI 35, Cesar Cantu, forensic scientist and researcher, shared his work in forensic entomology—using maggots as an alternative source of human DNA when traditional samples are unavailable or degraded. His research explores how maggots feeding on human remains can store DNA in specialized digestive organs, offering forensic analysts another option for obtaining genetic profiles. […]
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! Serial Killer Suspect Dies 1 Day after Third Victim Identification (Forensic – 7/21/2025) One […]
The Agenda is Live: General Sessions Built for Real-World Forensic DNA Casework
Your case isn’t theoretical. Your sessions shouldn’t be either. The full ISHI 36 General Session agenda is now available—and if you’re a working DNA analyst, this is where your next breakthrough starts. This year’s lineup doesn’t just check boxes. It tackles the pressure points you’re navigating every day: Cold cases that won’t close Protocols that […]
Rethinking Sexual Assault Evidence: Moving Beyond Conventional Serology Testing
What if forensic science could improve sexual assault investigations while making the process less invasive for survivors? At ISHI 35, Brittney Svoboda, a forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, shared research that is reshaping how forensic DNA analysts could approach sexual assault cases. By analyzing 425 real-world cases, her team found […]
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! Union City Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify a 2009 Baby Doe (DNASolves […]