Overview
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) supports the implementation of new forensic technology and best practices by end users, bridging the gap between the scientific and the criminal justice communities. One way the FTCOE moves knowledge from research to impact is through hosting national meetings that bring together professionals spanning several areas of expertise to focus on an emerging topic within the forensic community.
The FTCOE hosted the Rapid DNA Technology Forum in Alexandria, VA on August 15-17, 2017. Rapid DNA technology has advanced quickly over the past several years, with the adaptation of two commercially available systems to analyze the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) panel and the introduction and passage of the Rapid DNA Act of 2017.
This forum provided more than 130 attendees from the forensic DNA community an opportunity to be updated on commercially available rapid DNA technologies, hear lessons learned from several early adopters from local law enforcement and federal agencies, and discuss how to move forward as a community. The attendees included forensic practitioners, law enforcement professionals, and representatives from ASCLD and several government organizations, including the FBI, NIJ, NIST, DHS, and CTTSO.
Check out the forum program, the Just Science podcast episode with the executive director of the National Criminal Justice Association, Chris Asplen, and the in-brief that provides an overview of rapid DNA analysis, the purpose of the forum, forum highlights, and the impact of the forum on the community.
Objectives
► Educate the forensic DNA community on the state of rapid DNA technologies.
► Showcase rapid DNA technologies that could be used to obtain investigative leads.
► Provide attendees access to a panel of experts who have adopted rapid DNA for various purposes.
► Discuss recent updates related to the current use of rapid DNA for CODIS and its future use for NDIS.
► Provide attendees with the opportunity to network with rapid DNA experts, current technology providers, researchers, developers, law enforcement professionals, legal professionals, and other users.
Forum Archives
Day 1 - Morning Session | Welcome; IntegenX Technology Update and RapidHIT Initiatives
View Archival
► Welcome Remarks | Donia Slack, RTI International
► View PDF of Presentation
► IntegenX Technology Update, Hands-on Demonstration, and Initiatives | Dr. Jay Therrien, IntegenX, Inc.
► View PDF of Presentation
► Rapid DNA Initiative: Implementing a Law Enforcement and Statewide Arrestee Program | Vince Figarelli, Arizona Department of Public Safety
► View PDF of Presentation
► Using Local DNA Databases and Rapid DNA Testing to Solve Property Crime Every Day | Fred Harran, Bensalem Police Department
► View PDF of Presentation
► An Integrative Approach to Rapidly Solving Crime: The OCDA Perspective | Andrew Katz, Paul Carvo, and Anna Dadhania, Orange County District Attorney’s Office
► View Contact Information
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Janet Girten, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Day 1 - Afternoon Session I | ANDE Technology Update and Initiatives
View Archival
► The ANDE Rapid DNA System in Law Enforcement, Military, and Disaster Victim Identification Applications | Dr. Richard Selden and Neal Parsons, ANDE Corporation
► View PDF of Presentation
► Rapid DNA Technology and the Crime Laboratory | Stephanie Stoiloff, Miami-Dade Police Department; Daniel Oates and Andrea Amy, Miami Beach Police Department
► View PDF of Oates Presentation
► Rapid DNA Profiling of Samples Collected at the Booking Station | Katie Fetherston, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Brady Mills, Texas Department of Public Safety
Day 1 - Afternoon Session II | ParaDNA Technology Update and Initiatives
View Archival
► Select the Right Evidence. Gain Immediate Criminal Intelligence. Accelerate Investigations. | Dr. Toby Hampshire, LGC
► View PDF of Presentation
► ParaDNA Presumptive Screening: DNA on the Investigative Timeline | Stephanie Regan, Kauai Police Department
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Donia Slack, RTI International
Day 2 - Morning Session | Rapid DNA Overview
View Archival
► Rapid DNA Typing: A Historical Perspective | Erica Romsos, NIST
►View PDF of Presentation
► FBI Vision for Booking Station Rapid DNA CODIS Integration | Dr. Tom Callaghan, FBI
► Validation of Rapid DNA Methods | Dr. Pete Vallone, NIST
► View PDF of Presentation
► AABB Relationship Testing Accreditation Program | Marsha Deitz, AABB; Kristine Cavicchi, Massachusetts OCME
► View PDF of Deitz Presentation | View PDF of Cavicchi Presentation
► CODIS and NDIS Update | Dr. Doug Hares, FBI
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Brooke Arnone, Arizona Department of Public Safety
Day 2 - Afternoon Session | Rapid DNA Applications
View Archival
► Applications, Field Tests, and Accreditation of Rapid DNA Within the Department of Homeland Security | Chris Miles, DHS, Science and Technology Directorate
► View PDF of Presentation
► The Value of Rapid DNA to Aid Investigations in Anti-Human Trafficking, Border Security, and Counter Terrorism | Timothy Palmbach, University of New Haven, Forensic Science Department
► View PDF of Presentation
► The DNA Analyst Cooperative Effort to Aid in the Identification of Hurricane Katrina Victims | Taylor Dickerson III, ARP Sciences, LLC
► View PDF of Presentation
► Explosives Research and Future Applications of Rapid DNA Technology at the ATF Laboratory | Steven Weitz, Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
► View PDF of Presentation
► Rapid DNA Processing of Sexual Assault Kit Samples | Dr. Richard Selden, ANDE Corporation
► Touch DNA and Other Sample Types| Jason Werking, IntegenX, Inc.
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Brady Mills, Texas Department of Public Safety
Day 3 - Morning Session | Mass Fatality Response
View Archival
► Leveraging DNA Information in Support of Customer Needs | John Boyd, DHS, Office of Biometric Identity Management
► Proof of Concept: Use of Rapid DNA Systems in Disaster Victim Identification | Timothy Kupferschmid, New York City OCME
► View PDF of Presentation
► Rapid DNA for Mass-Fatality Response Operations and Kinship Testing | Dr. Amanda Sozer, SNA International
► View PDF of Presentation
► Rapid DNA Technology in a Medical Examiner's Office | Kristine Cavicchi, Massachusetts OCME
► View PDF of Presentation
► DNA Data Sharing and Privacy Concerns | Sara Katsanis, Duke University
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Timothy Kupferschmid, New York City OCME
Day 3 - Afternoon Session | Moving Forward
View Archival
► Training Level Effects on RDNA Device Results and Analysis | Dr. Rachel Spurbeck, Battelle Memorial Institute
► View PDF of Presentation
► In the Nick of Time—Training for Law Enforcement and Technical Rapid DNA Users | Kathy Webb, SNA International
► View PDF of Presentation
► The Impact of the Rapid DNA Act to the Criminal Justice System | Chris Asplen, National Criminal Justice Association
► View PDF of Presentation
► The ASCLD Rapid DNA Ad Hoc Task Force Initiative | Ray Wickenheiser, New York State Police Crime Laboratory System
► View PDF of Presentation
► Panel Discussion | Moderator—Jay Henry, Utah Department of Public Safety