MAFS/ASTEE FALL MEETING ABSTRACTS Fall Meeting/ABSTRACTS.pdf · MAFS/ASTEE FALL MEETING ABSTRACTS ... Criminalistics Laboratory, KS) When: Tuesday, October 7th AM (half day) ... reviewer,

MAFS/ASTEE FALL MEETING ABSTRACTS

BIOLOGY

Introduction to Kinship Statistics Instructor: Steven Myers (California Department of Justice) When: Monday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 7th (2 full days) Cost: $350 (lunch included both days) Consider the following scenarios:

While camping in a remote area, a group of hikers find human remains. That region was listed as the last known whereabouts of a man who was reported missing years before.

A plane loses power and crashes into a field. Some of the re-mains are sufficiently intact to identify the victims, but what of the rest?

A man is accused of a raping a minor, and there is only one piece of physical evidence: the product of conception.

A family is murdered, and the murderer was cut during the course of the crime. The bloodstain profile doesn’t provide a direct match to anyone in the database.

In these cases, the only means to attempt identification of the person of interest may be through kinship analysis. This workshop will cover the fundamental probability and population genetics theories that are the basis of kinship statistics using autosomal STRs and the likelihood ratio. Bloodspatter on Clothing Instructors: Steve Swenson and Terry Laber (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Monday, October 6th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY Bloodstain pattern analysis applies scientific knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics and mathe-matics to assess bloodstains and determine possible mechanisms on how they were produced. Blood can be deposited on any surface and having an understanding of the substrates can highly affect the conclu-sions rendered. It is imperative that the forensic examiner has completed an extensive training program that includes basic and advanced courses and working in a mentorship type program. A highly trained and well experienced examiner will best be able to address concerns of bias, substrate effects and an-swering difficult questions. This bloodstain pattern analysis workshop on clothing will discuss a proven training program, training set-ups, provide case examples, and cover one of the major issues when ex-amining clothing—differentiating spatter from transfer stains. The workshop will include lectures, demonstrations, discussion and practical exercises. Students will have the opportunity to examine arti-cles of clothing, take photomicrographs of spatter and transfer stain patterns and print their microscopic observations for future reference.

It is required that the attendee has completed a basic 40 hour BPA course. Completion of an advanced 40 hour course, along with case-work in bloodstain pattern analysis, either through crime scene re-sponse or in a laboratory setting is highly recommended, but not re-quired.


Evaluation of New DNA Loci and Commercial Kits Instructors: C.R. Hill (National Institute of Standards and Technology), Life Technologies, Promega Corporation and laboratory users TBA When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) This workshop will explore the new DNA STR loci, both autosomal and Y chromosome loci, as well as the commercial kits available. Presentations include: The impact and advantages of expanding the U.S. core autosomal STR markers, covering testing data from PowerPlex Fusion, GlobalFiler, PowerPlex Y23, and YFiler Plus (NIST) Improved Recovery of Interpretable Results from Challenging Samples Using the GlobalFiler™ Kit (Life Technologies) PowerPlex® Fusion: An Expanded Multiplex for Evolving Global Standards (Promega Corporation) The PowerPlex® Y23 System: A single system for casework and database (direct amplification) Y-STR analysis (Promega Corporation) Powerquant™ System: A new robust human and male specific DNA quantification system that monitors DNA integrity (Promega Corporation) Laboratory users, who will discuss various aspects of the commercial kits and results from validation and use regarding challenging forensic samples, as well as other topics including inhibition, degradation, sensitivity, and artifacts. Attendees will get hands-on experience with the standard calculations (e.g., Paternity Index, Reverse Parentage Index, Sibship Index, etc.), and well as the JPLR approach used by CODIS for testing whole pedigrees as a unit. Calculations that address possible mutations will also be discussed.

Mixture Interpretation: A Casework Perspective Instructors: Jay Caponera (NY State Police), Jaheida Perez (NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner), Steve Weitz (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), Brian Hoey (MO State Police), Christian Westring (NMS Labs), Marlijn Hoogendoorn (MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Wednesday, October 8th Cost: $225 (lunch included) This workshop will offer a practical approach to analysis and interpretation of DNA mixtures, including

statistical analysis. Current casework analysts from several crime laboratories will give presentations on

how mixture analysis and statistics are performed at their labs, and what tools are used to perform this

analysis. Presentations will include analysis of complex mixtures obtained from weapons, development

and use of in-house mixture analysis tools, use of probabilistic genotyping software for mixture analysis,

and analysis of Y-STR mixtures. In addition, validation, the application of thresholds, the science vs

policy that drives these decisions, and the impact that the emerging megaplexes may play in considering

in DNA interpretation will be examined. The presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion

forum on mixture analysis and interpretation for workshop participants.


CRIME SCENE Introduction to Shooting Scene Reconstruction Instructor: Nat Pearlson and Lindsey Garfield (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Monday, October 6th (full day) Cost: $225 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY This workshop will provide an introduction to shooting scene reconstruction. Topics covered will in-clude terminology/definitions, general observations of projectile impacts to varying surfaces as well as determination of angle of impact and estimation of trajectory. Proper documentation and reporting will be discussed and practiced. Laboratory testing associated with shootings, which are useful in providing more complete reconstruction, will be addressed. Several case studies will be presented. The class will be a combination of lecture and hands-on learning opportunities. This class is intended for people who have a basic understanding of crime scene processing including basic evidence recognition, collection and documentation. It is suggested that participants bring a digi-tal camera, a laptop, and a thumb drive. Current Issues in Crime Scene Investigation Instructors: Jen Dillon (Michigan State Police) and Ryan Rezzelle (Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory, KS) When: Tuesday, October 7th AM (half day) Cost: $125 In an era where accreditation is the buzzword and national committees are forming to decide the best practices for the forensic community, what will become of the CSI? Crime Scene Investigators fall broadly into three categories: 1) CSI responder not associated with a laboratory; 2) CSI responder from a laboratory; or 3) a lab scientist who also fulfills CSI duties based on the expertise of their home disci-pline. Regardless of what kind of CSI you may be, we must recognize that the NAS report (2009) has issued the call to ensure that we keep the “science” in forensic science. The application of sound foren-sic science absolutely begins at the scene of the crime, for why should we wait until evidence gets to the lab to begin treating it appropriately? Our goal with this session will be to look at the changing world and what this may mean for CSIs of all types, looking particularly at laboratory accreditation and certifications as methods to stay on the path to success. Additional topics will include:

1) Report writing: who (CAN/SHOULD/DOES) say what about what. 2) Response to large scale, multi-day crime scenes…basically how you can ensure success

when you can’t wrap things up in 42 minutes (plus commercials). 3) Technology update: what ‘out there’ is helping to shape our evolution: laser scanning; high

definition UV/IR imaging systems (including conversions); and what ParaDNA/FastDNA might mean for crime lab response to major crimes.


Tire Track Examination: A Size and Design Emphasis Workshop Instructor: Lesley Hammer (Hammer Forensics) When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $225 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY.

This workshop will review the characteristics related to size and design of tires with a specific emphasis on the evaluation of the characteristics in the examination process. Technical aspects of tires, recovery methods and issues, and taking test impressions of tires will be included. A sample of tire comparison exercises will be completed, and conclusion wording will be discussed and practiced. This workshop will be appropriate as an introduction level course, as well as provide information, practice and updates that will benefit experienced impression examiners of all levels.

Note Taking and Report Writing for Footwear Examiners: Being Clear & Communicating Value Instructor: Lesley Hammer (Hammer Forensics) When: Wednesday, October 8th AM (half day) Cost: $125 NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. Taking notes and writing reports is an ever-evolving process for most examiners. The expectation is that notes will be a thorough recording of the examination process and that reports will clearly communicate the findings to readers and users of the report. This workshop will explore some different styles of notes and reports that accomplish these goals, discuss note and report content and wording, and will allow for practice using these styles. Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops, which they may use to practice electronically and to bring electronic copies of examples of notes or reports to share with other attendees (sensitive information redacted please). Laptops are not required to attend. Documentation of Bloodstain Pattern Evidence Instructors: Kevin R. Winer (Kansas City Police Crime Lab) and Michael J. Van Stratton (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) When: Wednesday, October 8th Cost: $200 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. An important aspect of violent crime scene investigation involving bloodshed is the ability to recognize bloodstain patterns and to utilize those patterns to assist in reconstruction. Reconstruction is dependent upon proper documentation of bloodstain pattern evidence at crime scenes and in the laboratory. Docu-mentation serves as a permanent record for the crime scene investigator, laboratory analyst, technical reviewer, bloodstain pattern analyst and customers such as attorneys, judges and juries. Without proper documentation, report conclusions are invariably limited due to a lack of scientific underpinning. This workshop will discuss and demonstrate techniques for bloodstain pattern evidence documentation. Additionally, participants will be provided a mock crime scene and clothing with bloodstain patterns to practice what they have learned. Prior training in basic bloodstain pattern analysis is recommended but not required. Participants are requested to bring a camera to the class for the practical exercises. Gloves and bloodstain pattern documentation supplies will be provided by the instructors.


Introduction to Crime Scene Diagramming Instructor: Ryan Rezzelle (Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory, KS) When: Wednesday, October 8th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) In the world of crime scene reconstruction, defining a piece of evidence is more than just assessing its class or identity. The value of evidence comes from what it is and where it was located, i.e. context. Context is derived from location and temporal identity. If we can say where and when an item was present at a crime scene, we give that item true value. The goal of this workshop will be to teach you how to measure and draw crime scenes so that you are accurately documenting in time and space, thus preserving the context of your evidence. The workshop will be divided into three sections:

1) Obtaining measurements and putting them to good use: using measuring devices properly and knowing what to use for a given situation, knowing how to accurately create a properly imple-mented scale, and using a variety of measuring methods from azimuth circle, transecting base-line, X-Y gridding, triangulation, and more. 2) Open source documentation of crime scenes: leveraging Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and internet data sources such as Google Earth. 3) The future: a demonstration of laser scanning capabilities and a discussion of freeware apps for smart phones and tablets for collection of measurement data at crime scenes.

DRUG CHEMISTRY/TOXICOLOGY

GC Troubleshooting Instructor: Jeff Schroeder (Pace Analytical Laboratories) When: Monday, October 6th AM (half day) Cost: $100 Join Pace Analytical’s Instrument Support Group for a practical approach to GC and GC-MS troubleshooting. Topics covered will include: Split/splitless inlet maintenance, common inlet related problems, flame ionization detector maintenance, and FID related issues. Also covered will be basic MSD maintenance, and MSD source cleaning. Plus how to tell if your chromatography issues are inlet, column or detector (FID, MSD) related. Useful tech-niques (including some classroom hands on) will be demonstrated with an Agilent GC-MS. Who should attend: analysts and scientists with minimal to moderate GC and GC-MS experience who wish to learn how to keep their system running well and be able to fix minor performance issues as they arise. HPLC Troubleshooting Instructors: Dave Johnson (3M) and Larry Felice When: Monday, October 6th PM (half day) Cost: $100 Would you like to improve your understanding of HPLC systems? After a brief overview of HPLC es-sentials, we will use real world chromatograms and “thought questions” to explore how one can quickly diagnose likely sources contributing to poor or unexpected chromatography. Specific topics will include diagnosing changes in retention time (e.g. sudden vs. gradual; increasing, decreasing or erratic), pressure (e.g. sudden vs. gradual; increasing, decreasing or erratic), peak shape (tailing, fronting, splitting, exces-sive broadening), and sensitivity. We will also demonstrate how baseline disruptions and stability (or lack thereof) can be used diagnostically. Finally, we will discuss general preventative maintenance pro-cedures appropriate for any vendor’s system and help you identify spare parts we feel most every lab should keep on hand.


HPLC Fundamentals Instructors: Dave Johnson (3M) and Larry Felice When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) Designed for the novice chromatographer, this course will explore some of the fundamental concepts of HPLC. After establishing a foundation in basic chromatographic theory, concepts like manipu-lating resolution, understanding and minimizing band broadening, column selection (chemistry, format, and geometry) and detector selection will be investigated. At the end of our session we will attempt to synthesize these concepts by applying them to real method development scenarios. Topics will include an overview of basic chromatographic theory, exploring the parameters that impact resolution and their relative contributions, an overview of column chemistry fundamentals (silica types, bonding chemistry, endcapping), reverse phase solvents, reverse phase method development fundamentals, improving resolution in reverse phase systems, selectivity, pH affects, gradients, parameters that impact band broadening (both column and non-column contributions), and practical implications of the van Deemter equation. Time permitting, we will also explore advanced concepts in reverse phase chromatography (e.g. high vs. low pressure mixing, dwell volume, solvent purity, solvent viscosity, bonded phase stability). This session will also include a brief discussion about the strengths and limitations of the most commonly used LC detectors (UV-VIS, fluorescence, electro-chemical, conductivity, ELSD, and MS). Current Issues in Drug Chemistry Instructors: Nicole Astor (Georgia Bureau of Investigation), Jason Nawyn ((US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory), Tony Tambasco (Mansfield Police Forensic Science Laboratory, OH), and Malinda Spangler (Johnson County Crime Laboratory, KS) When: Wednesday, October 8th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) The last several years have brought a whirlwind of change to forensic drug case submissions. The days of classical drugs of abuse have all but gone to the wayside, and today’s common drugs of abuse have proven to present challenges to chemists worldwide. Did the analyst perform a suitable extraction? Did their tests prove the right molecule? Are library database matches sufficient or are reference drug stand-ards necessary? How does the lab verify or validate a working standard? This workshop looks to an-

swer these questions and more. Presenters will address analytical issues with designer drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants, consider reference material and library database comparisons, dis-cuss current regional drug trends, legislation challenges, and guidance from scientific bodies.


GENERAL The following workshops: Statistics for Forensic Scientists, Demystifying Error Rates and Designing, executing and reporting validations studies for instrumental/analytical techniques may be taken individ-ually or as a full series. Each one builds upon the principles explored in the previous workshop(s). The instructors have coordinated the material to integrate and highlight common themes of probability theo-ry and statistics as applied to forensic disciplines. Statistics for Forensic Scientists Instructor: Cedric Neumann (South Dakota State University) When: Monday, October 6th PM (half day) Cost: $100

Have you ever wondered if forensic statistics is not an oxymoron? Why can’t these meddling statisticians be satisfied with the current way we report the results of comparisons between chemical (or biological) profiles, or friction ridge (tool or shoe) impressions? And what are they on about when they talk about inference, uncertainty, uniqueness fallacy, variability, expected result, confidence interval, standard deviation, p-value, error rate and even likelihood ratio? Wonder no more! The main objective of this workshop is to “open the box” and review some of the fundamental aspects of the need for statistics in forensic science. During a series of short modules (30-45 minutes each), we will explore multiple major concepts related to (1) the laws of logic supporting the decision-making process in forensic science, (2) common logical fallacies and their effect on reporting schemes, (3) the definition and meaning of data distribution, standard deviation, confidence interval and p-value, (4) the relationships between detection limit, variability and “error rate”, and (5) the presentation of quantitative data to lay individuals in court. During this workshop, we will use examples from various evidence types, such as glass, tool (firearm) impressions, shoe impressions, latent print impressions and even DNA. The secondary objective of this workshop is for forensic scientists of all fields to realize that we are all faced with similar questions and needs. Demystifying Error Rates Instructor: Glenn Langenburg (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Tuesday, October 7th AM (half day) Cost: $75

This workshop will focus on the proper computation of error rates and related statistics in decision mak-ing (i.e. sensitivity, specificity, false discovery rates, etc.). Students will get a brief overview of the meaning and importance of these statistics. They will then perform multiple exercises, increasing in depth and complexity, to practice computing these statistics. The material and focus of the course will aid the student in understanding and applying various standards, such as the SWGFAST standard “Standard for the Definition and Measurement of Rates of Errors and Inappropriate Decisions in Friction Ridge Examination, v. 2.0, 2012” or comprehending error rate calculations found in studies of handwrit-ing or firearms examination. Finally, students will be provided with appropriate ways to address and answer questions about error rates in court. The course is intermediate level and students will need a calculator (smart phone calculators are fine). The course material is applicable to any comparative forensic science discipline or any discipline where false positive and false negative error rates must be computed.


Designing, Executing and Reporting Validations Studies for Instrumental/Analytical Techniques Instructor: Glenn Langenburg (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Tuesday, October 7th PM (half day) Cost: $75

This workshop will focus on the elements of designing, conducting, and writing up a validation study of instrumental analysis techniques. We will explore several approaches to executing a validation study. Although we will focus primarily on examples of validation of instrumental techniques such as identifi-cation of a controlled substance by GC-MS, we will consider other related instrumental techniques and disciplines as well. We will explore both qualitative identification and quantitative measurement tech-niques. Using actual data, we will compute common statistics and measurements such as: accuracy, pre-cision, reproducibility, repeatability, robustness, ruggedness, selectivity, linear range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), etc. Attendees should have a working knowledge of instrumental analysis, especially GC-MS and basic ana-lytical chemistry. A calculator is required, but a laptop for calculations is preferred. Participants will be working with some large data sets to extract the relevant statistics for the hands-on computation exercises. Latent Prints on Skin Instructor: Brian Dalrymple (Brian Dalrymple and Associates) When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $225 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. There can be no more serious police investigation than murder, and no more power-ful evidence than that recovered from the skin and body of the victim. Human skin is arguably the most challenging and unpredictable fingerprint substrate, the most significant in terms of the weight attributed to such evidence, and the most reward-ing when it produces results. The vital liaison and interaction with other forensic disciplines in the investigation will be discussed. In this workshop, the attendee will learn the evolution of attempts to recover fingerprints from skin and the documented successes, and experience through hands-on exercises, the application of the proven methods. ISO for the Bench Scientist Instructors: Allison Hursh, Mark Nielsen, and Mohamed Sedqi (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Wednesday, October 8th AM (half day) Cost: $100

ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard established to bring universal standardization to testing and calibration laboratories. It is the standard on which many forensic testing and calibration laboratories build their management system and are accredited by once they have successfully implemented and continuously conformed thereto. Executing this international standard is a challenging undertaking and is not only a management change, but a change that impacts the entire laboratory – including the bench scientist. Do you ever find yourself questioning why things are the way they are in your laboratory? What is the rea-son behind document and record control, proficiency and competency testing, measurement uncertainty, method validation, etc.? Join the Quality Assurance Group from the MN BCA Forensic Science Service to discuss, together as scientists, the parts of ISO that impact the bench scientist. There will be time set aside for any ISO questions attendees may have. The focus of this workshop will be on ISO 17025 and not on any particular accrediting body supplemental requirements.


Forensic Fluorescence Instructor: Brian Dalrymple (Brian Dalrymple and Associates) When: Wednesday, October 8th (full day) Cost: $225 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. Until 1977, virtually all fingerprint detection methods, both powders and solutions, relied on staining – changing the invisible latent ridges to a color or tone in contrast with the color or tone of the back-ground. This is how we view our world, by the relative absorption and reflection of light from different surfaces. With the arrival of the laser, the first forensic light source, fluorescence was exploited for the first time as a detection strategy, offering a detection reach exponentially greater than contrast in color or tone. The plethora of forensic light sources available today will be demonstrated, discussed and evaluat-ed. An overview of the science behind this technique will enable the attendee, with his/her camera, to experience personally the power of fluorescence and to use the optimum combination of excitation and filter to view and photograph hidden evidence. Attendees are encouraged to bring DSLR cameras with macro lenses and tripods if possible.

QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS Automating Image Production for Forensic Document Examiners Instructor: Mark Goff (Michigan State Police) When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included)

With increasing documentation requirements for laboratory accreditation, court testimony and the in-creasing complexity of cases, the time required for completion of many cases has increased significant-ly. This workshop, designed specifically for document examiners, will demonstrate how common soft-ware can be used to increase workflow throughput without any knowledge of computer programing or the requirement to write scripts, through automation of common tasks. This workshop will include vari-ous tips and tricks in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Bridge, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. The workshop is paced to maximize the amount of time spent working with hands on examples to ensure these techniques can be used when the examiner gets back to the lab. Graphic step-by-step in-structions will be provided for future reference. Digital Reconstruction of Torn Documents Instructor: Mark Goff (Michigan State Police) When: Wednesday, October 8th AM (half day) Cost: $75

Document examiners are frequently called upon to reconstruct torn documents, but it can be nearly im-possible to get all of the pieces to line up on a copier or under a layer of glass to assemble a complete image especially if the pieces are wrinkled. Using digital images to virtually reconstruct torn documents preserves the alignment of the torn edges to illustrate edge morphology and keeps static from moving the pieces around while the document examiner attempts to photograph the reconstructed document. This workshop demonstrates some quick methods to assemble torn documents in Adobe Photoshop to create an image that can provide a road map for potential physical matches. It also gives a much clearer image of the text contained on the torn document to provide to the investigator or to a jury. This method doesn’t replace the physical match examination work to be done by the examiner, but makes the process much faster and easier to visualize. This workshop is formatted to maximize the amount of time spent working with hands on examples to ensure these techniques can be used when the examiner gets back to the lab. Graphic step-by-step instructions will be provided for future reference.


Complex ESDA Sourcing Using Digital Image Layers Instructor: Mark Goff (Michigan State Police) When: Wednesday, October 8th PM (half day) Cost: $75

This workshop expands on previous efforts to simplify deciphering impressions using digital imaging techniques. When an ESDA lift bears impressions from multiple sources, deciphering the information can become difficult. Using Adobe Photoshop this workshop will instruct document examiners on a quick method to account for known impressions, easily revealing any unsourced impressions. This is especially helpful with notebooks containing impressions from multiple preceding pages but can also be used to differentiate embossed writing from embossed impressions, and separate “layers” of impressions in the same document. The workshop is paced to maximize the amount of time spent working with hands on examples to ensure these techniques can be used when the examiner gets back to the lab. Graphic step-by-step instructions will be provided for future reference.

TRACE Topics in Microspectrophotometry Instructor: Sarah Walbridge-Jones (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) When: Monday, October 6th AM (half day) Cost: $75 This workshop will provide examiners with a unique opportunity to review several different sample spectra that present challenges for interpretation. Working in groups, the attendees will have the opportunity to discuss these challenges and be tasked with specific questions regarding sampling considerations, interpretation, and reporting. This workshop will briefly describe an analytical procedure for analyzing trace materials via transmission microspectroscopy.

Attendees are encouraged to bring in difficult casework ex-amples and share their own laboratory procedures relating to microspectrophotometry.

Gun Shot Residue Analysis Instructor: Mike Trimpe (Hamilton County Coroner’s Laboratory, OH) When: Monday, October 6th PM (half day) Cost: $125 This workshop on will focus on primer GSR analysis by scanning SEM/EDS. Students will be taught the basics concerning formation, collection, and detection of primer GSR. We will discuss the history of GSR analysis and the formation of SWGGSR, as well as guides and ASTM standards. Guidance will be given in sample analysis and interpretation of results. Finally we will discuss the significance of results, report writing and testimony. The student should have begun work in this discipline and have a basic understanding of SEM/EDS analysis.


Forensic Examinations of Lubricants Instructor: Jeffrey Dake (US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory) When: Monday, October 6th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included)

Lubricants have been encountered in sexual assault crimes in many facets. Lubricants may be used to facilitate an act, be present in the background of samples, or be transferred due to the use of lubricated condoms. This workshop will provide a basis for the incorporation of lubricant analysis into current laboratory systems with minimal investment on the part of the laboratory. Students will be provided background information on the types of samples that are typically encountered in lubricant analyses, including commercial sexual lubricants, improvised lubricants, and condoms. This course will include such topics as the recognition and collection of lubricant materials as evidence - including strategies to account for background materials, techniques for the extraction of lubricant materials, and analytical schema. Students will also be introduced to methods of data interpretation, analytical conclusions and the limitations of these exams. The workshop will conclude with a roundtable discussion of future needs in this area of analysis and potential areas for research and development. It is recommended that stu-dents have a background in PLM, FTIR, and GC-MS analyses and data interpretation. Paint Data Query (PDQ) Workshop Instructor: Tamara Hodgins (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) When: Tuesday, October 7th and Wednesday, October 8th (two full days) Cost: $425 (lunch included both days) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. This PDQ workshop is designed to be a hands-on training session in which the attendees will receive instruction in the organization of the database, will practice classifying paint systems, will enter queries into PDQ, and will gain the basic interpretive skills necessary for evaluating the results obtained from a search. Having an understanding of the program and confidence in the query parameters entered, the paint examiner will be able to provide an accurate assessment of possible sources for a questioned paint, utilize the database for making significant assessments for paints in K/Q comparative situations, and utilize the database for maintaining their understanding of the structure and chemistry of modern auto-motive paints. Prior training and practical experience in paint analysis and FTIR paint examinations and classifications are recommended. Upon completion of this workshop, the participant should be able to effectively utilize the PDQ program for three distinct purposes: (1) generating potential manufacturer, make, model, assembly plant, and year information for questioned paint recovered from items collected from hit-and-run incidents, (2) conduct-ing a significance assessment for paints from K/Q comparisons that may then be used to lend weight to that evidence in court, and (3) maintaining and enhancing professional expertise and understanding of automotive paint systems as a result of having a searchable database that support more than 19,000 paint systems and contains pigment/binder information and infrared spectra for over 60,000 individual paint layers. Attendees wishing to use PDQ must be from a recognized police agency, sign a non-disclosure confi-dentiality agreement upon registration, and agree to annually contribute 60 original full layer automotive paint samples to the PDQ Maintenance Team for analysis and inclusion into the database. Full utiliza-tion of PDQ requires the purchase of Bio-Rad’s KnowItAll spectral search software, dye glossy and matte Munsell Colour books and Refinish Paint books (i.e. Dupont or PPG). These items are not provid-ed with the PDQ database. Each attendee should bring a laptop computer with Windows XP or Windows7 with a USB port and ad-ministrator rights to allow for the installation of the PDQ software and Bio Rad KnowItAll software.


Fire Debris Analysis for the New or Occasional Analyst - Basics Instructor: Carl Chasteen (Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosive Analysis, FL) When: Monday, October 6th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) This workshop is designed for new analysts or analysts who are only occasionally assigned fire debris evidence for analysis. The workshop is divided into six sections. The first will familiarize the analyst with the types of evidence from the fire scene and how they are produced and affected by the fire. The basics of chemistry and physics of a fire as well as how investigators determine the evidence to be col-lected will be discussed. The second will discuss the production and marketing of ignitable liquids from the petroleum refining process. The third will discuss the various ASTM methods for extraction of fire debris and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The fourth section discusses the instrumentation used in fire debris analysis and the ions of interest for fire debris analysts. The fifth section covers the basics of how to use the collected data to make interpretations of the identity of ignitable liquids. The last section will be practical exercises beginning with known ignitable liquids and progressing to un-known samples to allow the student to assimilate the information and exercise their skills. Fire Debris Analysis for the Experience Analyst - Advanced Instructor: Carl Chasteen (Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosives, FL) When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) This workshop is designed as a follow-up to the basic workshop or for the more experienced fire debris analyst to discuss more advanced concepts which they may encounter. The first section will cover the issues of comparison samples versus control samples. What do the two terms mean? Contamination of samples before they come to the laboratory will be discussed. The second section will discuss the various quality assurance and control samples that may be a part of every analysis and their value. The third, and most extensive, section will cover methods and strategies for streamlining analysis and interpretation as well as creation and use of a systematic decision matrix which can be ap-plied to the collected data. This section will include practical exercises in applying a streamlined system-atic approach to “real world’ samples. The last section will discuss issues related to report wording and giving expert testimony. Dyes and Dyeing: The History, Chemistry, and Application of Natural and Synthetic Dyes for Fibers and Fabric Instructors: Sandy Koch (Pennsylvania State University) and Lee Bender When: Tuesday, October 7th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included) NOTE: Limited number of seats – REGISTER EARLY. How do dyes work? What is the difference between dye types (ex. reactive vs acid vs vat, etc.)? What is the chemistry between the dye and the fibers? This workshop will answer these questions and more. Presentations on the history of dyes, the chemical components of dyes (chromophores and auxchromes), additives (mordants, soda ash, salts, etc), and industrial methods of dying will be given. There will also be a hands-on portion which will give the participants the opportunity to dye different types of fibers: protein (wool, silk), cellulose (cotton, hemp) and some of the new protein and cellulose fibers made from soy, bamboo, corn and milk. At the end of the workshop participants can take samples home for further study on color or intensity differences provided by multiple dippings or use of different mordants. Wear old clothing (clothes that you don’t mind getting stained with dye)!! Also, please bring your own safety glasses with you. We will provide gloves, aprons and dust masks.


Trace Examinations in Traffic Accidents Instructor: Glenn Schubert (Southern Illinois Forensic Science Centre) When: Wednesday, October 8th (full day) Cost: $200 (lunch included)

Trace evidence can play a major role in helping to identify a driver, passenger, or other automobile occupants in a traffic accident when the position of them prior to the crash is in question. Several areas of trace contact identification will be covered, including seatbelt transfers, seatbelt dumping, fiber plastic fusion, airbag contact, and windshield stars. Several examples of these types of evidence will be presented to familiarize the trace evidence examiner with items that might not have been considered in the past. Fire Debris: Special Topics Instructors: Jim Iammatteo (Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office), Jamie Novak (St. Paul Fire Department, MN), Kristin McDonald and Kerri Pacholke (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Appre-hension) When: Wednesday, October 8th AM (half day) Cost: $100 As household oxygenated products (both ignitable and not) are becoming increasingly common, fire debris analysts are encountering more challenges than ever in the interpretation of data from fire debris. One of the oxygenated products that may be present in fire debris is fire fighting foam or encapsulators. This workshop will cover the different types of fire fighting foams an analyst may encounter (including some “homemade” ones), and how they may be confused with and differentiated from other household products. How these foams work in a fire will be discussed. Another type of evidence that a fire debris analyst may be called upon to analyze are incendiary devices. This workshop will also go over some of the more common, easy-to-make incendiary devices that can be made from household chemicals and other materials.

This workshop will be held at the St. Paul Fire Depart-ment training facility, and demonstrations will be done outside, rain or shine. Please wear older clothing, boots or sturdy shoes, and safety glasses.