The Central California Forensic Fire Death Investigation Academy (CCFFDIA)
Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. Fatal fires along the wildland-urban interface (WUI) are becoming a common part of existence in the western U.S. For 2025, the Cal Fire incident archive reported over 2,353 wildfires, 30 fatalities, 16,253 structures destroyed and 76,292 acres burned (Cal Fire, 2025). Not only are WUI events deadly, but […]
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! After Newer Forensic Tests Fail, Old Photo Helps Identify Remains of U.S. Soldier Who […]
Exploring DNA Self-Collection in Rural, Remote and Northern Communities: Evidence, Equity, and the Future of Sexual Assault Forensics in Canada
Written by Victoria Donkin, She Matters. Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. Victoria Donkin is a trauma-focused social worker and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of trauma, justice, and systemic reform. At She Matters, she leads national projects focused on expanding access to sexual assault evidence, strengthening survivor-led pathways to care, and […]
Bridging Borders: DNA, Missing Persons, and Family Reunification in Ukraine’s Ongoing Conflict
Authors: Sara Huston¹,²,³, Diana Madden¹,³ Affiliations: ¹Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA ²Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA ³DNA Bridge, Durham, North Carolina, USA Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. DNA Identification During War As of December 2025, approximately 80,000 Ukrainians are reported […]
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! Lion DNA Helps Convict Poachers for First Time (BBC – 2/19/2026) Lion DNA has […]
NIST Releases New Forensic Genetic Reference Material to Help Crime Laboratories Analyze Challenging Cases
Reposted from NIST with permission. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new forensic DNA reference material, RM 8043, that includes degraded DNA as well as mixtures of high-quality DNA from multiple individuals. This material will help crime labs verify that their methods produce accurate results when analyzing these kinds of samples. […]
Precision by Day, Providence by Night: Discover the City Hosting ISHI 2026
This article was written with the assitance of AI. When the International Symposium on Human Identification arrives in Providence this October, the science will be front and center. But step outside the conference doors, and you’ll find a city that rewards curiosity, celebrates craftsmanship, and offers the perfect balance of focus and escape. Providence may […]
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! Dr. Jack Ballantyne Joins STRmix Advisory Board. National Center for Forensic Science Director Will […]
The February 2026 Issue of The ISHI Report Is Here
The February 2026 edition of The ISHI Report has arrived — and it may be one of our most globally and technically expansive issues yet. This release brings together emerging voices, cutting-edge research, humanitarian identification efforts, and new professional development opportunities. Across every article, one theme rises to the surface: forensic DNA is evolving — […]