Announcements

The first ISFG Summer School 2018

In association with the annual meeting of the Italian speaking ISFG Working Group (Ge.F.I.), the first ISFG Summer School will be held in Cantanzaro, Italy, on September 3-4, 2018. The summer school will offer eductional courses similar to those held prior to the international congresses of the ISFG, and is open to all researchers, students and practitioners in forensic genetics. The courses are sponsored by the ISFG, and ISFG members will receive a discount on the registration fees. The following courses are offered:

• A - Paternity and kinship testing including X-chromosomal markers (T. Egeland)
• B - DNA interpretation in criminal casework using probabilistic software (P. Gill)
• C - Mitochondrial DNA analysis and interpretation using the EMPOP database (W. Parson)
• D - Next generation sequencing and population studies using Snipper and Structure analysis (C. Phillips)
• E - La Banca Dati Nazionale DNA italiana e l’accreditamento dei laboratori a norma ISO/IEC 17025 (R Biondo)

All details for registration can be found at http://www.summerschool18.com/

Gordon Research Conference "Forensic Analysis of Human DNA" June 17-22, 2018

The GRC meeting is going to take place in the Jordan Hotel at Sunday River in Maine, USA, and is chaired by Robin Cotton and Daniele Podini. The key topic "Enhancing Human Identification Through Development of Novel Methods and Emerging Applications" will be addressed in the following sessions:

• The Unexpected Outcomes of More Powerful Forensic Technologies
• Analysis of Samples at the Crime Scene
• Novel Sample Preparation and Amplification Methods
• DNA Transfer and Human Activity
• Molecular Methods for Determination of Biological Fluids
• Novel Marker Discovery and Emerging Applications Using Massively Parallel Sequencing
• Probabilistic Genotyping-Advances and Concerns
• Age, Ancestry and Appearance
• Data Interpretation, Presentation of Evidence and the Future of Forensic DNA Analysis

Please note that participation is restricted and the application deadline is May 20, 2018. The full program with all speakers and detailed information for registration can be found at the conference website: https://www.grc.org/forensic-analysis-of-human-dna-conference/2018/

ESWG 2018 Meeting in St. Petersburg

The English Speaking Working Group (ESWG) of the ISFG will hold the next meeting of the ESWG in St Petersburg, Russia, from 12 to 16 September, 2018. This will be the first such meeting in Russia and the organisers hope to bring the English-speaking forensic geneticists from the ex-USSR countries into the fold of the ESWG. Please visit the conference website for registration and all further details: http://eswg2018.org/

ANZFSS 24th International Symposium in Perth 2018

The ANZFSS 24th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences will be held in Perth, Western Australia from 9-13 September 2018. The theme of the Symposium is “Forensic Science Without Borders” and will bring together experts from a range of science disciplines and jurisdictions. The Symposium will provide participants with an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge, develop ideas and network with colleagues from around the globe. All details can be found at http://www.anzfss2018.com/

Online courses in forensic statistics and DNA evidence interpretation at the University of Lausanne

• Registrations opened, courses start in March 2018

These courses necessitate no pre-requisites in statistics and are tailored for forensic scientists. They are meant to be practical and help you in your daily work. You will benefit from personal feedback and will be able for example to work on your own casework.

Essentials of DNA Interpretation - short course (150 hours, 5 ECTS)

You encounter challenging casework, are a forensic DNA specialist who is not fully at ease with the literature published on DNA interpretation given sub-source level propositions (e.g., probabilistic software, formulation of propositions, LR), then the course ‘Essentials of DNA interpretation’ is meant for you. For more information

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Statistics and the Evaluation of Forensic Evidence (470 hours, 20 ECTS)

You want to assess the value of biological results given activity level propositions but are unsure this can be done in casework? You want to further develop your skills in managing forensic interpretation issues from case reception to court and feel at ease with the debates on interpretation issues? Then, you will find more information on our Certificate of Advanced studies here

Essentials of Bayesian Networks - short course (150 hours, 5 ECTS)

You are familiar with interpretation issues and want to use Bayesian Networks in your daily practice? This course will give you a comprehensive view of the use of BNs for the probabilistic evaluation of scientific evidence in forensic science applications. It will provide you with in-depth study of the various aspects that a solid mastery of BNs in practical applications demands. For more information