As we begin planning for the next ISHI, we’re excited to welcome new voices to the Advisory Committee. These members bring fresh insight, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to moving forensic science forward.
We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to those rotating off the committee. Your ideas and input have helped shape ISHI into the dynamic, inclusive community it is today.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Shena Latcham, one of the newest members of the ISHI Advisory Committee!
Shena brings nearly 20 years of experience as a forensic DNA analyst, supervisor, and courtroom expert to the role—along with a deep commitment to public service. At the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab, she’s led validation studies, trained new analysts, and testified in more than 100 cases across the state. Now, she’s turning her attention to helping shape ISHI’s future.
Shena is passionate about creating more efficient workflows, tackling DNA backlogs, and exploring how tools like AI can help labs better manage complex data. She’s also a firm believer in the power of communication—and sees ISHI as a vital platform for connecting global voices and sparking real change across the field.
We’re excited to have Shena’s perspective and leadership at the table. Get to know what drives her, how her first time testifying changed everything, and what she hopes to bring to the ISHI community.
What drew you to the field of forensic science, and how has your journey shaped your perspective on where the field is headed?
Since the age of ten I have wanted to work in the field of forensics. Initially, I wanted to be a medical examiner, but after working in research laboratories for years I decided I enjoyed the laboratory side of forensics rather than the medical side. During the past 20 years as a forensic DNA analyst, I have seen the discipline become much more regulated, especially regarding profile interpretation. When I started my career in 2006, we did the best we could with the information that we had when interpreting profiles and entering them into CODIS. Now, in 2025, there is more regulation for both profile interpretation and CODIS profile entry, which I feel has made the field of Forensic DNA Analysis more standardized. With the implementation of technologies such as rapid DNA and the use of AI in criminal investigations, I see this same level of standardization extending further to regulate their use, and the use of technologies yet to be invented, in forensic DNA analysis.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing challenge facing forensic DNA today—and what role can ISHI play in addressing it?
In general, I believe that DNA backlogs are still the major challenge in most forensic laboratories. As our chemistries and instruments become more sensitive, analysts can develop profiles using smaller and smaller amounts of DNA. Because of this, law enforcement agencies are submitting more cases and more evidence, both of which could not previously be tested for DNA. This increase in case and evidence submission has led to seemingly insurmountable DNA backlogs, which has created frustrated law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and delays in justice. Since ISHI has the capacity to bring people from all different criminal investigative backgrounds together on an international stage, I believe that ISHI could be an excellent forum to showcase efficiency systems that have helped other agencies tackle the backlog issue. These systems could include increasing efficiencies at certain steps of the criminal investigation process (such as performing DNA examinations) as well as entire system overhauls (such as agency reorganization and/or personnel role changes).
What innovations or tools are you most excited to see impacting the forensic field in the next 5–10 years?
Definitely AI! We generate so much data in the laboratory, and I think that AI could be an invaluable tool to help collate that information into an easily accessible and understandable format for case files. I know that I often have data from a case stored in several locations and sometimes it can be difficult to pull it all together since the laboratory uses so many different instruments and software. If we could use AI to do that work for us and possibly assist with decision making on next steps for evidence processing, I also believe that AI could help keep case files organized so that data/case information isn’t overlooked.
What’s a case, project, or moment in your career that fundamentally changed the way you think about forensic science?
The most impactful moment in my career was the first time that I testified, which happened to be a pre-trial hearing in a homicide investigation. I was on the witness stand for 1.5 hours and at the end of my testimony I realized how important my role as a forensic DNA analyst was in the criminal justice system. The DNA results that I testify to not only provide justice for victims, but the results can also be used to take away an individual’s freedom if they are found guilty. After that first testimony, I was very aware of the responsibility I have to perform my job duties with precision, integrity, and professionalism to best serve the citizens of my state.
From your perspective, what makes ISHI unique among forensic conferences?
ISHI is a conference solely dedicated to forensic DNA analysis. Whereas forensic DNA analysis may be a part of other conferences, when at ISHI, you know that every workshop, speaker, showcase, and vendor conversation is going to involve the work that forensic DNA analysts do daily. To have all these forensic DNA resources in one location for an entire week is something that cannot be found anywhere else, especially not at an international level.
As a new member of ISHI’s Advisory Committee, what impact do you hope to make, and what do you hope ISHI continues to do for the global forensic community?
I hope to be able to tap into current technologies, trends, concerns, and successes in the forensic DNA community, and bring those topics to scientists to generate discussion. I also hope to help ISHI continue to reach DNA analysts worldwide so that the forensic DNA community can continue sharing ideas, methodologies, and innovations. As our world changes, the field of forensic DNA analysis needs to ensure that it continues to change with it, and the best way to do that is through communication between all of our stakeholders.