Introducing the 2025 ISHI Student Ambassadors: Kiersten Fultz
Kiersten Fultz didn’t always know she wanted to work in forensic DNA. In fact, she was halfway to pharmacy school when a true crime documentary changed everything. The moment she saw experts explaining how DNA could help solve cases, something clicked—and she’s been chasing answers ever since. Now a forensic biology grad student at Virginia […]
Improving SANE Exams for Victims: Does the Use of Lubricants Impact DNA Recovery?
What do water-based lubricants have to do with forensic DNA analysis? At ISHI 35, Student Ambassador Kierra Field shared her research on how these substances impact DNA collection and STR profiles, while also reflecting on her journey into forensic science. In this inspiring interview, discover: 🔬 Kierra’s groundbreaking research and findings on DNA loss in […]
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! IGG Identifies Another Likely Victim of ‘Scorecard Killer’ 45 Years Later (Forensic – 5/14/2025) […]
No Longer Unidentified: How Forensic Science is Solving Australia’s Toughest Missing Persons Cases
How do you identify human remains and reunite families with their loved ones? At #ISHI35, Kelly Grisedale from the Australian Federal Police shared the groundbreaking work of the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons. In this interview, Kelly discusses: 🔬 How her team resolved over 50 missing persons cases in just two years […]
Improving Forensic DNA Accuracy: Evaluating Sequencing in Diverse Populations
Can DNA sequencing help us better understand diverse populations? At ISHI 35, Ashley Welk presented her research evaluating Promega’s PowerSeq® system on Lebanese DNA samples to explore how well forensic sequencing kits perform across different populations. In this interview, Ashley explains: 🔬 How forensic DNA sequencing identifies individuals and improves casework 💡 The importance of […]
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 Randy Kraft Identified as Suspect in 45-Year-Old Oregon Cold Case Murder (NBC […]
Meet the 2025 ISHI Student Ambassadors: The Future of Forensic DNA Starts Here
Each year, the ISHI Student Ambassador program highlights rising stars in forensic science—students who are not only passionate about their research but driven to shape the future of the field. This year’s cohort is no exception. Representing diverse institutions and research areas, the 2025 Ambassadors bring curiosity, community spirit, and bold scientific vision to the […]
How Did the DNA Get There? The Science Behind Activity Level Propositions in Forensics
When DNA is found at a crime scene, the question is no longer just whose DNA is it?—it’s how did it get there? At #ISHI35, Ray Wickenheiser, retired forensic scientist, and Ashley Hall, director of the forensic science program at UC Davis, shared their cutting-edge research on activity level propositions and the role of touch […]
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! Utah Medical Examiner Narrows Unidentified Human Remains to 30 Bodies (KJZZ14 – 5/02/2025) While […]
