Workshop Abstracts
BIOLOGY/DNA WORKSHOPS
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis for Casework
Instructors: Jennifer Dillon and Amber Smith, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
A forensic scientist should have a working knowledge on how bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) can and
cannot be used in a case. Those who work with bloodstain evidence which may later be used in the
incrimination or exoneration of an individual will benefit from taking this course. Basic BPA concepts
and bloodstain patterns will be reviewed; emphasizing how to recognize when BPA analysis would be
useful in a case, how to choose stains for DNA analysis, and when a BPA examiner would be a useful aid
in providing a detailed analysis. Practical exercises with common objects and clothing items one
receives as evidence in the laboratory will cover basic documentation and stain selection for DNA
analysis. Participants will have the opportunity to examine bloodstained clothing for pattern
identification and reconstruct the wearer’s involvement. No experience in bloodstain pattern analysis
or crime scene work is necessary.
Advancements in Rapid DNA Technology
Instructor: Julie French, GE Healthcare, and Jeff Nye, Michigan State Police
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
The use of a new technology called Rapid DNA Analysis has the potential to revolutionize the way in
which arrested individuals are enrolled in the criminal justice system and the speed at which their DNA
can be linked to unsolved crimes. The workshop will include a combination of hands-on training,
lecture, and a panel discussion. During the hands-on training session, participants will observe the
operation of a Rapid DNA instrument, including handling of the cassette used for DNA processing. The
participants will learn how to collect DNA buccal swabs for use in a Rapid DNA instrument, observe the
instrument touch screen and handle the DNA processing cassette. An overview of Rapid DNA Analysis
for the laboratory will be provided. Discussion topics will include DNA collection from arrestees,
integrating Rapid DNA as a biometric, the advantages of using Rapid DNA, and designing standards and
practices for implementation in a booking station.
A panel discussion will also take place to discuss the reliability of the DNA profiles from the Rapid DNA
Analysis instrument and allow for questions from workshop participants.
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Workshop Abstracts
Meeting the Deadline to Incorporate the Expanded CODIS Core Loci
Instructor: Jeff Nye, Michigan State Police
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
A CODIS Core Loci Working Group was empanelled in May of 2010 to evaluate the necessity for
additional loci to ensure the effectiveness of the CODIS database. Three factors in support of expanding
the current CODIS Core Loci were 1) facilitate greater discrimination, 2) assist in missing person
investigations and 3) encourage international data sharing efforts by having more loci in common with
international partners. Recently, NDIS announced the expansion of the CODIS Core Loci from thirteen to
twenty markers. Within the announcement, there is a requirement to have the Expanded CODIS Core
Loci implemented at NDIS-participating laboratories by January of 2017. This workshop will assist
laboratories with understanding differences and similarities in the chemistries and allow for a more
informed decision prior to internal validation.
The presenters will focus on STR amplification kits that have been designed to meet NDIS requirements
for the CODIS Core Loci expansion. Representatives from each of the STR amplification kit
manufacturers will be on hand to provide background information on their products. These
presentations will include the chemistry, instrumentation requirements, STR loci included and
developmental validation studies completed. Additionally, practitioners will present their internal
validations of the expanded STR loci kits and lessons learned from implementation at their laboratories.
The presenters will conclude the workshop with a panel discussion where they will field questions
regarding the chemistries, implementation considerations, policies, procedures, mixture interpretations
and CODIS search criteria.
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Workshop Abstracts
Y-Screening of Sexual Assault Evidence
Instructors: Jeff Nye, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Reports of significant numbers of untested, shelved sexual assault evidence collections kits (SAKs)
throughout the United States has become commonplace. Cities such as Houston, Detroit, New York
City, Los Angeles, Memphis and New Orleans have reported untested SAKs in their respective
jurisdictions. Additionally, many state legislatures have enacted laws to address submissions of SAKs to
laboratories for testing. Since 2009, the Michigan State Police has worked with the Detroit Police
Department, Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and various stakeholders to address more than 11,300
untested sexual assault evidence collection kits from the City of Detroit. Additionally, the State of
Michigan legislature has enacted laws requiring laboratory submission of all SAKs turned over to law
enforcement. This law will become effective April 1, 2015.
This workshop will address the range of methods used to test more than 10,000 kits in the City of
Detroit and reduce current SAKs within the Michigan State Police laboratories. Specifically, the
workshop will cover topics related to Standard 17 of the FBI Quality Assurance Standards as it relates to
outsourcing testing of SAKs and use of contract technical reviewers. The development of a dedicated
team to analyze current SAKs at the Michigan State Police has allowed for significant changes to work
flow and laboratory processes that have reduced turnaround by nearly 50%. The workshop will discuss
these methodologies employed at the MSP.
What’s that on my Slide?
Instructor: Dawn Bright (Holcomb), Mott Community College
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day - PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Ever wonder what something is when you are searching for sperm on a slide? Come find out what the
heck is on your slide at this informative workshop! Slides stained with the Christmas tree staining
process will be utilized in this workshop.
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Workshop Abstracts
CRIME SCENE WORKSHOPS
Forensic Entomology: The Role of Insects in Criminal Investigations
Instructor: Dr. Ryan Kimbirauskas, Michigan State University
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Forensic Entomology is a branch of forensic science that involves the use of insects and related
arthropods to aid in legal investigations and to solve crimes. One of the most helpful pieces of
information that insects provide to a criminal investigation is the establishment of a time since death;
often referred to as the postmortem interval. This presentation will document case studies where
insects were important in establishing the postmortem interval in murder investigations, as well as give
examples of other ways that insects have been used as evidence in court.
A Hands-On Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Methods
Instructor: Dr. Todd Fenton and Dr. Joe Hefner, Michigan State University
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This hands-on workshop by the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory will cover methods of human
skeletal analysis including: the determination of human vs. non-human bone; estimating sex, age at
death, ancestry, and stature; and the interpretation of trauma. Participants will have the opportunity to
test their analytical skills while working through a series of case-based exercises using real bone
examples.
Basic Firearms Trajectory
Instructor: Ron Crichton, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This presentation is geared toward those who process crime scenes and would like to understand more
about firearms evidence and firearms damage. The following topics will be discussed: internal and
external ballistics, interpretation of projectile impacts, determining directionality, ricochet, using
trigonometry, documentation, processing of vehicles, factors which could vary results, operation of
firearms, ammunition components, and gunshot residue testing.
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Workshop Abstracts
Crime Scene Management
Instructor: Guy Nutter, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Attendees will review the topics of arriving on scene, securing the crime scene, considerations of a
search warrant, prioritizing duties, and types of resources needed (Evidence Technician, Bomb Squad, K9, Forensic Laboratory Crime Scene Response Team, etc.). They will also learn about taking an organized
and systematic approach to searching and documenting the crime scene through notes, photographs
and sketches. This course will also emphasize effective strategies for identifying and selecting physical
evidence with the most probative value. A variety of crime scene scenarios will be discussed, focusing
on proper processing techniques and preservation of the scene. Attendees will receive checklists to
help manage a crime scene.
Crime Scene Safety Issues
Instructors: Guy Nutter (Forensic Laboratory) and Bob Kirkby (Forensic Science Division), Michigan State
Police
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
The safety of personnel at a crime scene is often overlooked, which can lead to injuries or
accidents. Attendees will be given an introduction on how to approach crime scenes with precaution
and will learn how to enlist special assistance to avoid injury. Crime scenes with possible safety issues
will be presented, and areas of concern will be identified and discussed.
Forensic Taphonomy - The Science of Decomposition
Instructor: Dr. Sue Stejskal, LVT, DABT, Special Deputy/Forensic Dog Handler, MiLES Consulting/St.
Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Sue Stejskal (LVT, PhD, DABT) is a board-certified toxicologist, licensed veterinary technician, and Special
Deputy/Human Remains Detection (HRD) dog handler with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department
in Michigan. With more than 30 years of educational and professional experience, she has for that past
15 years participated in land and water searches throughout Michigan and the central Midwest. Dr.
Stejskal’s work in toxicology and pathology and her experience as a dog handler led to the development
of practical forensic science training for law enforcement dog handlers, detectives, and crime scene
technicians. She is author of the book “Death, Decomposition, and Detector Dogs: from science to
scene.” This 4-hour training is designed to help forensic scientists understand the basics of forensic
taphonomy - the science of decomposition. Post mortem stages will be covered along with some of the
many factors that can affect it. The use of a specialized forensic tool will be covered as well as several
case reports.
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Workshop Abstracts
Basic Photography
Instructor: Guy Nutter, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This course does not require any previous photography training or experience and will be primarily
comprised of hands-on practical exercises. Attendees will learn to utilize a digital SLR camera for basic
crime scene photography. Topics will include: steps to take before recording digital images, explanation
of different buttons and settings on the camera (Mode dials, F-stops, shutter speeds, ISO, white balance,
metering, etc.), recording a crime scene with digital images, evidence photography, and examination
quality photography. After successful completion, attendees will be able to record digital images of a
crime scene in an organized and systematic manner, and utilize a digital SLR camera to its fullest
potential for general crime scene and evidence photography. Attendees will receive checklists to aid in
crime scene photography out in the field. Canon T3 Digital SLR cameras will be provided for attendees
(groups of two), however attendees are welcome to bring their own digital SLR camera.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WORKSHOPS
Introduction to Mass Spectral Interpretation with Specific Application to the Novel Psychoactive
Substances (NPS’s)
Instructor: Jason Nawyn, Defense Forensic Science Center, USACIL, Drug Chemistry
Date: Monday, September 21st (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Abstract: The GC/MS is typically the “work horse” of forensic drug analysis with the vast majority of
drug samples being run on this instrument; and as such it is prudent to have a deeper level of
understanding of the ionization concepts behind it. This course is designed to help forensic chemists
become more proficient at understanding what the mass spectrometer can tell you (basic interpretation
skills of EI spectra) and what the mass spectrometer can’t tell you (limitations of the data). With the
continual emergence of the ever changing NPS’s, this need has only grown. The forensic chemist is
constantly challenged with identifying unknown samples and spectra with only having access to very
limited resources. The first half of this course will cover introductory electron ionization mass spectral
interpretation skills to include basic chemistry concepts, fragmentation mechanisms, the nitrogen rule,
isotopic clusters, logical/illogical losses, etc. The second half of this course will briefly go over some of
the NPS compounds and then use the tools learned in the first half to help interpret unknown mass
spectra relating to these compounds. This will include practical exercises (both individual and group) of
unknown compounds that will help apply these principles to real world situations.
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Workshop Abstracts
The Use of Solid Phase Depositional GC-IRD for Forensic Drug Analysis
Instructor: Stephanie Fisher, Spectra Analysis
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd, (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Are isomers of cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids as well as other compounds creating havoc within
your laboratory? This workshop will focus on alternative instrumentation such as an infrared detector
coupled with a gas chromatograph, and solid phase deposition versus a gas phase analyses. The
DiscovIR solid phase depositional infrared spectrometer provides a reasonable
alternative/complimentary technique to traditional instrumentation, such as the GC/MS. This
instrument has demonstrated its usefulness in analyzing the variety of exhibits encountered by the
forensic chemist with the added benefit of the isomer differentiation power of an IR spectrum.
The workshop will focus on an overview of instrument design, function and use, maintenance, QA/QC,
sampling plan, and validation. In addition to data from routine exhibits such as methamphetamine,
pseudoephedrine, and cocaine, data from designer drugs of abuse such as the isomers of 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), piperazines, cathinones, NBOMe compounds, as well as
JWH compounds will be presented.
Pharmacophores – The Chemistry of Drug Design
Instructor: Dr. Jon Sprague, Bowling Green State University
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will provide an organic chemistry review of how pharmacophores and functional groups
are applied to drug design. An emphasis will be placed on the chemistry of street drugs of abuse. The
neurochemical effects of drugs of abuse that results in drug-seeking behavior will be examined in
detail. The chemical modifications contributing to the “masquerade party” of the synthetic cathinone
(bath salts) and synthetic cannabinoids (spices) will be explained and applied to Ohio’s pharmacophore
rule.
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Workshop Abstracts
Designer Drug Trends and Legislation
Instructor: Dr. Greg Endres, Cayman Chemical
Date: Wednesday September 23rd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This presentation will focus on synthetic cannabinoids and is divided in four parts: emerging trends,
tools and resources, a recent criminal case, and a new concept for legislation. The emerging trends will
cover new designer drugs and their occurrence based on reference standard sales. New search tools on
the Cayman Chemical website including the identification of likely matches to unknown designer drugs
by GCMS will be discussed. Forensics Drug Review, a web-based peer-review process for rapid data
verification of designer drug monographs will also be covered. Recent criminal cases and expert witness
testimony involving K2/spice products will be included. Finally, new ideas for improvements to
legislation involving synthetic cannabinoids and other designer drugs will be discussed with the hope of
facilitating the prosecution and providing deterrence for illegal activities associated with these emerging
substances of abuse.
Measurement Uncertainty: For the People, By the People
Instructors: Jillian Baker (DuPage County Forensic Science Center), Sean Brooks (Missouri State Highway
Patrol Crime Laboratory), Malinda Spangler (Johnson County Crime Laboratory), and Jennifer Watson
(Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory)
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of the concept of estimating measurement
uncertainty as it relates to weighing seized drug evidence in a forensic laboratory. Additionally, this
workshop will facilitate communication between laboratories and help attendees improve their
processes. MAFS members working for accredited laboratories throughout the Midwest will present
how they estimate measurement uncertainty, how measurement uncertainty is reported, issues
encountered since implementing their policies, and how they testify to measurement uncertainty.
Attendee involvement is encouraged and expected through participating in surveys and discussing their
laboratory issues in a roundtable question and answer session.
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Workshop Abstracts
TRACE WORKSHOPS
Contemporary Fire Debris Analysis
Instructor: Jamie Baerncopf, ATF Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will cover fundamental topics in fire debris analysis as well as incorporating several
contemporary challenges in the field. The first half of the workshop will cover general topics including
petroleum refining and classification of ignitable liquids, extraction procedures, matrix interferences,
and data interpretation. Additionally, recent problems that have been encountered by examiners will be
discussed. These challenges include ignitable liquids that defy classification, effects of extraction
procedures on data interpretation, and non-routine samples such as lubricating oils and greases,
vegetable oils, alternative fuels, and incendiary devices. This workshop is appropriate for examiners who
are newer to fire debris analysis or those looking for a refresher or update in the field.
Measuring Vehicle Stance from Tire Track Impressions and Using the Canadian Vehicle Specification
(CVS) Database
Instructor: David Bicigo, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Vehicle stance measurements and database search of known vehicle measurements have been used for
more than 25 years as an investigative tool for law enforcement. This workshop will cover the
procedures from the “Tires and Computers” article published in 1990 in the RCMP Gazette for
measuring a set of tire tracks found at a crime scene. Past and present resources for searching the
stance measurements to determine the make and model vehicle that could have left the tire tracks will
also be discussed. The workshop will also address how to report the results of your database search.
Other related searches to assist law enforcement will be discussed. A hands-on portion of the workshop
will give participants a chance to measure a set of tire tracks and then search the CVS Database.
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Workshop Abstracts
Trace Evidence ISO 17025 Accreditation Issues - Panel Discussion
Panel:
Cheryl Lozen, Panel Chair - Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
David Green - Lake County Crime Laboratory
Leanora Bender - ATF Laboratory
Amy Michaud - ATF Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
ISO 17025 accreditation issues facing trace evidence units/sections will be discussed. A panel of
experienced trace evidence assessors will lead discussion topics and facilitate roundtable discussions
with attendees. This workshop will include a discussion of commonly encountered ISO requirements
involving trace evidence such as these examples:
Report wording requirements
Proficiency testing requirements for the Trace discipline
Instrumentation and certified standards for QA/QC checks
Reference collection requirements; When do we need “certified” reference samples (or not), i.e. can we
go to a hardware store for a PVC known sample? Or can we use an explosive sample received from a
MAFS workshop as a casework known?
Sharing actual and theoretical examples of findings and how they could be resolved
Note: The panel is not purporting to be able to have official answers to any/all questions or concerns,
but are willing to share their knowledge and experiences involved with performing assessments and
following ISO requirements.
Methods for Statistical Evaluation of Evidence Comparisons
Instructor: Dr. Ruth Smith, Michigan State University
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day - AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
After publication of the NAS report in 2009, there has been increasing interest in statistical comparison
of different types of forensic evidence. This workshop will present different statistical methods that can
be used to compare chromatograms, mass spectra, and IR spectra. The theory and application of each
statistical method will be presented, along with interpretation of the results. The workshop will be as
interactive as possible, providing attendees with exemplar data and opportunities to perform the
statistical analyses themselves. All attendees should bring a laptop with a recent (2007 and on) version
of Microsoft Excel loaded.
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Workshop Abstracts
Dyes, dyeing and natural fibers: the history, chemistry and application of natural and synthetic dyes
for fibers and fabric, and an overview of natural fibers
Instructors: Leanora Bender and Amy Michaud (ATF Laboratory), and Sandy Koch (Pennsylvania State
University)
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (all day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
How do dyes work? What is the difference between dye types (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 will be given on the history of dyes, the chemical components of the dyes, and their
additives (e.g. chromophores, auxchromes, mordants). There will also be a section on natural fibers
encountered in criminal investigations in order to familiarize participants with the microscopic
characteristics and identification these fibers, including vegetable fibers, wool‐type fibers, silks, and
mineral fibers. Natural fiber sources, processing, and end uses will be reviewed.
A hands-on portion* 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 will be able to take samples home for
further study on color.
*
NOTE: PLEASE BE SURE TO WEAR OLD CLOTHING (clothes that you don’t mind getting stained with
dye)!! ALSO, PLEASE BRING SAFETY GLASSES with you. We will provide gloves, aprons, and dust masks.
Homemade Explosives- The Recognition, Synthesis, and Disposal of, and the Crossover with Illicit Drug
Manufacture
Instructor: Ed Bender
Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22nd and 23rd (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
The majority of the first day of the workshop classroom will cover the recognition of Homemade
Explosives (HME's) and their precursor chemicals. Common sources of these precursors will be
reviewed, in addition to explaining how some precursors can be created through simple chemical
modification. The HME's discussed will include primary high explosives such as TATP, HMTD, lead azide,
and Armstrong's Mixture among others. Also included will be main charges using various oxidizer/fuel
combinations and the synthesis of "molecular explosives" such as nitroglycerin, RDX, ETN, etc.
Additionally, incendiary compositions and chemical reaction bombs will be discussed. A brief talk on
the overlap of illegal drug manufacture components with HME's and the mitigation of these
combination laboratories will conclude the classroom lectures.
The second day will involve the transportation of the attendees to an explosive range where many of
the HME's covered on the first day will be initiated to demonstrate their explosive effects. Initiating
techniques will include the detonating of main charges, chemical combination of hypergolic mixtures,
and flame and hammer tests to show the hazard of more sensitive compositions. The range day will also
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Workshop Abstracts
include static displays of HME's in manufacture and the safe handling and disposal of these materials
according to their progression in the synthetic process.
NOTE: MAFS will cover the cost of the ferry for the off-island day, but the participant is responsible for
playing for their lunch that day. Also, please be advised that participants at the explosive range should
bring eye protection and wear long sleeve cotton shirts. Disposable ear protection and additional PPE if
required will be provided.
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry in Forensic Glass Examinations
Instructor: Troy Ernst, Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will focus on the practical application of micro-XRF to the forensic analysis of
glass. Recent studies have shown that XRF is a very discriminating technique for comparing glass
samples when applied appropriately. An ASTM method was developed based on this research to assist
analysts in acquiring suitable data. The primary goal of this workshop is to train current and future XRF
users in these discriminating methods of glass analysis.
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Workshop Abstracts
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS WORKSHOPS
The Forensic Examination of Electronic Signatures
Instructors: William J. Flynn and Kathleen Annunziata Nicolaides, Affiliated Forensic Laboratory, Inc.
Date: Monday, September 21st (full day)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
As electronic business transactions become more commonplace, Forensic Document Examiners must be
prepared for examinations of electronic signatures. This full-day, hands-on workshop will teach FDEs
how to conduct such an examination. Attendees will learn about the various types of electronic
signatures, the anatomy of a biometric electronic signature, how to plot and examine biometric
electronic signatures, and what evidence is needed for a reliable examination. Attendees will see raw
signature files from various manufacturers and learn how to format the signature data so it can be
imported into a spreadsheet. Attendees will be given practical problems. Cases, validation studies and
research will be discussed.
NOTE: All attendees will need a computer with a reasonably current version of Excel. It is highly
recommended that attendees acquire basic Excel navigation skills prior to the workshop.
Getting the Most Out Of Your Video Spectral Comparator
Instructors: David Tobin and Michael Zontini, Foster & Freeman USA, Inc.
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This half-day workshop will provide instruction on how to use the latest features of Video Spectral
Comparators and the Software Suite. Live equipment demonstrations will allow attendees to see typical
examination techniques in order to facilitate audience participation.
The Examination of Documents Requiring a Multi-Faceted Approach
Instructor: Brian Lindblom
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will explore case examples where a variety of forensic examination techniques and data
are required to reach opinions regarding the authenticity of both single-page and multi-page
documents. Documents requiring a multi-faceted approach include, for example, contracts, wills,
medical charts, diaries, agendas, research notes, tests and exams, and meeting notes. The workshop will
explore a broad array of examination methods such as microscopic, infrared/ultraviolet, latent
impression analysis, indentation sequencing, sourcing latent impressions, ink offsets and transfers,
typography, use of electronic measuring grids to assess margins and line spacing, printing method
identification and document formatting.
Case examples will be drawn from both civil and criminal files, particularly those which are proven to be
complex, requiring very careful consideration of multiple forms of data.
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Workshop Abstracts
Evaluating Signatures: What Matters?
Instructor: A. Frank Hicks, Rile & Hicks
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will take a look at various cases involving the comparison of signatures. We will discuss
the manner in which we conduct these comparisons and what characteristics we consider important.
Comparison charts of the signatures will be provided to the attendees prior to the meeting. Attendees
will be put into groups and encouraged to meet with these groups prior to the workshop to review the
cases. This will encourage interaction with others and prepare us to have a lively discussion during the
workshop.
The Application of Questioned Document Examinations to the Analysis of Valuable Signatures and
Other Antiques
Instructors: Peter Belcastro, Jr. and Gregg Mokrzycki, FBI Laboratory, QD Section
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will address the examination of valuable signatures and other antiques for the purpose of
determining authenticity or origin. Actual cases involving purported signatures of value, famous
artworks, historical documents, and other antiques will be presented. Discussion will include
investigation and examination techniques, the importance of reliable known standards for comparison,
research tools, and various industry contacts that may assist in these types of cases. Information from
industry representatives, gathered during the course of various investigations, will be addressed and
include their experiences and insight into this topic. This presentation will also include conservation
techniques and tools used to preserve these treasures, as well as the evaluation of various materials and
surfaces utilized in the production of valuable signatures and other antiques.
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Workshop Abstracts
GENERAL WORKSHOPS
Leadership/Management Workshop Series
This series of four half-day workshops will expose current managers and future managerial candidates
to core topics that contribute to being and becoming a successful leader as a manager. Workshops
include the topics of Bias, Organizational Behavior and Communication, Leader Emergence, and Risk
Management. Pre-workshop assigned reading is the responsibility of the attendee. There will also be
a post-workshop assignment that presents various scenarios encountered in the workplace as a
manager and requires the individual to develop actions to approach/resolve these scenarios.
There will be a follow-up Leadership/Management Symposium in the Spring 2016 that will further
explore those scenarios, as well as other topics. Attendees are not required to attend both, but those
who attend the Series will be encouraged to become Symposium Leaders in the Spring 2016 if they
attend the Symposium. Those who attend the Symposium, but not the Series are still welcome.
These workshops may also be attended individually, however, first preference will be given to those
who are attempting to complete the Series and attend all four with the pre and post-workshop
assignments.
Leadership/Management Workshop Series, Part I
Addressing Bias in Forensic Examinations
Instructor: Jeremiah Morris, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory
Date: Monday, September 21st (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Scientific disciplines have long recognized the influence bias has upon both analytical testing as well as
interpretation of the results from this testing. Although the majority of scientific and medical disciplines
have recognized the potential for bias and have incorporated procedures to minimize the affect bias has
upon the ultimately conclusions, crime labs have generally not addressed bias in their examinations. This
workshop will provide an introduction into the mind of the expert, how we make decisions, how we
process information, mental shortcuts our mind uses, and four major categories of bias ‐ motivational,
expectation, contextual, and confirmatory bias. The workshop will demonstrate how these forms of bias
can adversely affect the forensic process from crime scene collection to courtroom testimony. The
workshop will also provide possible solutions to assist in minimizing the affect bias ultimately has upon
the conclusions made by forensic scientists.
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Workshop Abstracts
Leadership/Management Workshop Series, Part II
Organizational Behavior and Communication
Instructor: Brian Hoey, MS, MBA, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Date: Monday September 21st (PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Organizational Behavior as the study of what people think, feel and do in and around organizations;
organizations themselves are groups of people who work interdependently toward some purpose. The
operative word in that sentence is “interdependently”. In this workshop we will discuss organizational
behavior, individual behavior and competing values. We demonstrate how communication plays a vital
role in building and sustaining relationships in an organization. We will discuss employee motivation,
expectancy, needs and drives and their roles in organizational behavior. Lastly, we will discuss the roles
of power, leadership and followership in organizational behavior. This workshop will contain exercises
and group discussion in an effort to not only talk about these topics, but put these concepts into
practice. This workshop is not only designed for leaders or future leaders, but anyone who participates
in the culture of an organization. We all play roles in our organizations; at anyone point we may be a
leader and in the very next moment we may be a follower. Understanding our own role’s, values,
behaviors and motivations will go a long way to being able to know and build relationships with others
and put our organizations on the path to success.
Leadership/Management Workshop Series, Part III
Seeing is Believing: Leader Emergence and the Importance of Charisma
Instructor: Russell E. Johnson, Ph.D., Associate Editor, Academy of Management Review, Michigan State
University
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Leadership is a social process that involves two or more people. Although more attention has been
disproportionately paid to leaders, followers play a critical role as well. In fact, in order to perform
successfully as a leader, a person must first be viewed as a leader by others, at which point followers
cede influence to the leader. This workshop will describe how people emerge as leaders, and the
different sources of power and influence at their disposal. Key topics include personal versus positional
power, effective and ineffective influence tactics, and implicit leadership theories. In line with an
evidence-based management approach, the best practices covered in this workshop are backed up by
empirical evidence.
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Workshop Abstracts
Leadership/Management Workshop Series, Part IV
Risk Management and Preventive Actions
Instructor: Chris Krug, QA Manager, Johnson County Sheriff's Office Crime Lab
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd (1/2 – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
The ISO/IEC 17025 standard specifies in section 4.12 that a laboratory must take proactive steps to
identify potential sources of nonconformities. This can be a very challenging task for a laboratory as we
are so often being reactive to discovered nonconformities, rather than thinking ahead to potential
issues. This workshop will present how taking a risk management approach to your laboratory’s
operations can not only meet this requirement, but help your laboratory reduce the risk of
nonconformities against your management system as well as other everyday business risks. Attendees
will be presented with the basic theory as well as an outline of how risk management might be
implemented in a laboratory. Practical exercises for each step will help attendees understand how the
process might work.
Facial Recognition and Mobile Identification
Instructor: Ms. Angie Yankowski and Ms. Amy Pearsall, Michigan State Police
Date: Monday September 21st (1/2 day – AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Did you know law enforcement officers have the ability to fingerprint a subject in the field whose
identification is in question? Well, it’s true – whether it is at a traffic stop, a crime scene, an accident
scene, or the identification of a deceased body – a mobile fingerprint scanner provides the officer the
ability to capture two prints from the subject, which are then sent wirelessly to both the Michigan and
FBI RISC fingerprint databases where a “lights out” search is performed. A Hit, No Hit, or Unable to
Determine response is returned to the officer for proper processing of the subject. In this workshop
attendees will learn how easy it is to use the mobile fingerprint scanner, some of the scanner options
available, and real life success stories from the Michigan State Police.
The Statewide Network of Agency Photos (SNAP) is a central repository of electronic arrest photos.
SNAP is used as an investigative tool that receives images from the Michigan Department of State,
Michigan Department of Corrections, CLEMIS agencies, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and numerous
local agencies across the state. SNAP helps solve crimes and enhances officer safety by enabling law
enforcement professionals to share arrest photos across jurisdictional boundaries. In an effort to
improve efficiency and effectiveness, SNAP features include:
Arrest photo, scars, marks and tattoo (SMT) and driver license image retrieval
Photo lineup and wanted/missing person flyer creation
Facial recognition (FR) (Case Management and Mobile) one-to-many searches
Watchlist database entries resulting in persistent FR queries
Facial recognition is the automated process of searching a facial image in a biometric database, typically
resulting in a gallery of images, ranked by computer-evaluated similarity. As a result of technological
advancement, facial recognition has helped investigators solve numerous crimes in an expeditious
manner that may have otherwise gone unsolved.
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Workshop Abstracts
Forensic Art and Missing and Unidentified Persons Investigations
Instructor: D/Sgt. Sarah Krebs, Michigan State Police
Date: Monday September 21st (1/2 day – PM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
This workshop will include information about the MSP Forensic Art Unit, and will provide an overview of
the investigative tools offered from our artists. The workshop will cover:
Composite Imagery
Image Modification (age-progressions, Photo lineups)
Demonstrative Evidence (Trial Displays)
Postmortem Identification
Digital techniques
Case Studies in Forensic Art
The Missing Persons Coordination Unit will provide an overview of their unit and cover the following
topics:
Amber Alert
The Missing Children’s Clearinghouse
The NamUs Database
Using Biometrics to solve cold cases
Case Studies involving Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons investigations.
Management of Complex Cases in the Forensic Laboratory
Instructor: Kristine Olsson, Johnson County, KS Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd (1/2 day - AM)
Location: Mission Point Resort Conference Center
Since 2008 at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory, a Case Manager program has been
in place as an as-needed activation of personnel to manage laboratory analysis efforts in major crime
scenes (generally homicide scenes involving multi-section laboratory response) and large-scale serial
crime strings that were multi-agency affairs. The Case Manager serves as a way to streamline the flow of
information that can be overwhelming at the outset of a case, and provide focus regarding the most
probative items of evidence in the scope of the case. Considering that communication between the
laboratory and all the moving parts involved in a criminal case is often a weak point, the program is
designed to enhance communication and help balance the allocation of finite and limited laboratory
resources.
The Case Manager serves as a single point of contact in the laboratory with regard to physical evidence
in the case. In effect, the Case Manager helps determine what the overall “case questions” are, then
work with the laboratory staff to break those down into “testable questions” that can be answered
through laboratory analysis. The potential for crime scene reconstruction to enhance investigative,
prosecution, and defense support is considered, and a case overview is performed to ensure that
necessary analysis has been performed in the scope of the case.
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Workshop Abstracts
The need for Case Managers at crime laboratories was, and continues to be, highlighted by the
publication of the 2009 NAS Report. The report called for research and mitigation of the effects of
“cognitive bias” on forensic science practitioners and their analyses. One of the most prominent
researchers, Dr. Itiel Dror, has proposed in his 2013 paper a reasonable framework for mitigating these
effects. Dr. Dror calls for the development of Case Managers that implement a triage approach
necessary to see and evaluate potentially biasing information, and evaluate the forensic work in the
entirety of the case. In the prevalent atmosphere that most crime labs experience of unlimited wants
and demands by the investigative, judicial, and public arenas and the finite and limited amount of crime
laboratory resources and personnel to answer such demands, such a program can be highly beneficial.
This workshop will provide an overview of the development of a Case Manager system at the Johnson
County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory. A hands-on assessment, review and discussion of actual cases
in which the program has been used will be presented.
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