Date: Wednesday, August 31
Time: 12:15pm – 2:00pm
Room: Marquis Salons 7 -10
We invite you to join us at the 29th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics for a panel discussion on the evolution of forensic genetics, focusing on several key areas such as:
- Touch DNA Interpretation and Activity Level Propositions
- Haploid Markers, Alternate Markers, and New Technologies
- Responding Effectively to Mass Disasters and Documenting War Crimes
- Expanded Use of DNA Databases
Meet Our Panelists
Dr. Christian G. Westring, Ph.D. (moderator)
Director, Center for Crime, Forensics, and Security Analysis at Purdue University Northwest
Dr. Westring is the President of the 29th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. As a Forensic Geneticist, Dr. Westring has more than twenty years of experience in forensic science. His background includes leading multisite laboratory systems in forensic Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology, Firearms and Tool marks, Latent Prints, and Crime Scene Investigation. As a Quality Manager, he was responsible for the laboratory’s accreditation program under ASCLD/LAB International (ISO 17025) accreditation. In addition to his duties as a forensic scientist, he has also held several academic positions in Forensic Genetics – including Purdue University Northwest, Arcadia University and the University of Copenhagen – teaching formal course work in forensic genetics, molecular biology, serology and proteomics. He received research training in molecular biology at Penn State University’s Department of Natural Sciences (BS), the University of Denver department of Biological Sciences (PhD), and the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Genetics. He has an active research program and is a contributing member to several professional organizations in forensic science including OSAC, ISFG, and ASCLD. Dr. Westring’s primary research interests include the characterization of inhibitory compounds associated with gunshot residue and how they impact PCR based DNA typing, optimization and streamlining of laboratory systems and processes in accredited testing laboratories, probabilistic genotyping and the implications with complex DNA mixtures, and the development of new and improved methods for body fluid identification. Together with the University of Copenhagen and the Danish National Police, he has also developed an improved process for the analysis and detection of spermatozoa in sexual assault evidence. Coupling forensic casework with continuing education, Dr. Westring has led several successful training programs on the identification, collection, and preservation of biological evidence. His work has been funded National Institute of Health, National Institute of Justice, Department of Defense, and the Danish Research Council.
Peter Gill, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital and the department of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Norway
Peter Gill is Professor Emeritus of Forensic Genetics at the department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital and the department of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Norway. He has 40 years’ experience as a forensic scientist, working primarily as a researcher, but he also has substantial experience reporting cases to courts. He collaborated with Alec Jeffreys in 1985; he developed the differential extraction method for sperm and published the first demonstration of DNA profiling in forensic science in Nature. This led to the Pitchfork case and the first ever mass screen of 5000 individuals using blood grouping and DNA (1987) which was carried out at the Forensic Science Service (UK) laboratory. Subsequent work included analysis of the remains of Romanov family (1993-4); development of STR multiplexes for casework, which led to the first national DNA database in the world (1995); low template method and an interpretation strategy (2000). More recently he has been closely associated with the development of open-source mixture interpretation software and the development of Bayesian networks to evaluate evidence at activity level. He has more than 200 coauthored publications, with more than 23,000 citations in the literature, and written two books. He is chair of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) DNA Commission and is recipient of the Scientific Prize (2013) of the ISFG.
Peter Gill is Professor Emeritus of Forensic Genetics at the department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital and the department of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Norway. He has 40 years’ experience as a forensic scientist, working primarily as a researcher, but he also has substantial experience reporting cases to courts. He collaborated with Alec Jeffreys in 1985; he developed the differential extraction method for sperm and published the first demonstration of DNA profiling in forensic science in Nature. This led to the Pitchfork case and the first ever mass screen of 5000 individuals using blood grouping and DNA (1987) which was carried out at the Forensic Science Service (UK) laboratory. Subsequent work included analysis of the remains of Romanov family (1993-4); development of STR multiplexes for casework, which led to the first national DNA database in the world (1995); low template method and an interpretation strategy (2000). More recently he has been closely associated with the development of open-source mixture interpretation software and the development of Bayesian networks to evaluate evidence at activity level. He has more than 200 coauthored publications, with more than 23,000 citations in the literature, and written two books. He is chair of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) DNA Commission and is recipient of the Scientific Prize (2013) of the ISFG.
Adrian Linacre, Ph.D.
Chair of Forensic Science
College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University
Dr. Linacre graduated with a 2.1 honors degree in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh in 1984 and then completed a PhD (D.Phil.) in Molecular Genetics from Sussex University in 1988. Dr. Linacre was employed as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sussex from 1988 to 1994 before taking up a lectureship in Forensic Science, University of Strathclyde from 1994. In 2010 he became the inaugural South Australia Justice Chair in Forensic Science & Emerging DNA Technology at Flinders University.
Dr. Linacre is the Associate Editor of the journal ‘Forensic Science International: Genetics’, and on the editorial board of ‘Forensic Science Medicine & Pathology’, and the ‘Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences’.
He has authored over 500 Court Reports or Witness Statements and was President of the of 25th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) in Melbourne 2013.
Currently, he is the National President of the Australian & New Zealand Forensic Science Society and Vice-president of the International Association of Forensic Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts.
Marta Diepenbroek, Ph.D.
Post-doc, Institute of Legal Medicine
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
Marta Diepenbroek works as post-doc at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany where she transferred in late 2018 from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. For the past six years she was a team member of the Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianisms, a DVI project with the purpose of employing forensic methods to identify victims of Communist and Nazi totalitarian regimes in Poland. She was involved in establishing a DNA database which held the results of analyzing over 800 bones and more than 1500 reference samples. Her work included finding a first genetic evidence supporting the discovery of Jewish remains at the Sobibor death camp. For that research she was awarded a prize for the best oral presentation during the 27th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. Currently, her target is the practical use of the state of art forensic methods in routine investigations and presenting them to the law enforcement. Her work focuses on the newest MPS-based solutions like STR sequencing and forensically relevant SNP markers. Author of a dozen papers published in peer-reviewed journals and many presentations at international congresses.
Erin Sweeny
Vice President, Forensic Operations
Bode Technology
Erin Sweeney joined Bode in 2005 and has extensive experience managing high-throughput DNA sample processing and analysis for clients worldwide. She directs Bode’s full laboratory operations including casework, databasing, applied research and core facility teams. Ms. Sweeney ensures that operations are in continuous compliance with all accreditation standards. Prior to becoming lab director, she directed the databasing team, which was responsible for processing more than 1.5 million offender databasing samples, and the human identification team, which is responsible for the identification of missing persons and victims of war, terrorism, and natural disasters in the United States and around the world.
She has successfully implemented a number of new technologies, process improvements, robotic methodologies, and software solutions that have resulted in better data quality and greater efficiency in the laboratory. In addition, Ms. Sweeney has played a key role in Bode’s international training and development services. She participated in the design, planning, and implementation of a fully functioning DNA database system for a major international laboratory where she served as the on-site project manager and trainer.
Ms. Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree in biotechnology and certificate in national security studies from Johns Hopkins University. She is a member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Society for Forensic Genetics.
Tim Schellberg
President
Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs
Tim Schellberg is the President of the Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs firm.
The firm has offices in Washington DC, and Seattle/Tacoma in Washington State. Mr. Schellberg manages the daily operations of the firm and provides consultancy services primarily in the Washington DC and International divisions of the firm.
Mr. Schellberg received his undergraduate degree from Washington State University in 1988 and his law degree from Seattle University in 1991.
Before joining his firm, he served as a lawyer and governmental affairs advisor to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police.
For the last twenty years, Mr. Schellberg and his firm have become the world’s foremost experts on forensic DNA database legislation, public policy and law.
In addition to representing clients in the DNA industry, Mr. Schellberg has advised over 50 foreign and state governments on DNA database legislation, laws and policies.
Mr. Schellberg collaborates with foreign public security ministries, parliaments, and other law enforcement/forensic organizations on policy of forensic DNA programs on frequent basis.
Christopher Syn Kiu Choong, Ph.D.
Applied Sciences Group Director
Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
Chris joined the Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, after receiving his PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2001. He is currently the Group Director of Applied Sciences, overseeing 7 departments providing scientific and medical expertise in the areas of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical analyses, toxicology, criminalistics, forensic biology, forensic pathology, and chemical metrology.
Chris also maintains a practice in the department of forensic biology, where he has led initiatives including the use of Y chromosome DNA databasing, whole mitochondrial genome sequencing, DNA phenotyping, age prediction, and evaluation of DNA deposition and transfer. More recently, his team has established the use of DNA-based methods for species identification of plant material containing psychoactive substances.
He is a founding member (former Chair, current Secretary) of the Asian Forensic Sciences Network DNA Workgroup, Singapore representative on the INTERPOL DNA Monitoring Experts Group since 2016, Vice-President of the Governing Council of the Management Development Institute of Singapore since 2007, and a member of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Life Sciences and Chemical Technology Advisory Committee since 2015. From 2006 to 2016, he also held the appointment of adjunct associate professor at the National University of Singapore, and was honoured with the Outstanding Science Alumnus Award in 2011. In recognition of his contributions to forensic sciences in Singapore, he was conferred with the Public Administration Medal in 2018.