Oefelein, DNA Labs International’s quality assurance manager and senior DNA analyst, has been announced as the Workshop Chair for the “Evaluation of Testimony Topics of 2017 – Preparing as an Expert Witness for DNA Testimony in Today’s Courtroom” Workshop at ISHI, held in Seattle, Washington, Oct. 2 – 5, 2017.
Deerfield Beach, FL (March 2017) – DNA Labs International, a specialist in forensic casework for law enforcement agencies, attorneys and government forensic labs, announces that its very own Rachel Oefelein has been named the Workshop Chair for the “Evaluation of Testimony Topics of 2017 – Preparing as an Expert Witness for DNA Testimony in Today’s Courtroom” Workshop at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), to be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington, Oct. 2 – 5, 2017. This particular workshop will be held Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The intended audience includes forensic science students, forensic practitioners and attorneys.
The presenters at this workshop have been afforded the opportunity to testify throughout 2017 both nationally and internationally, allowing a unique and diverse perspective on testimony topics presented in the courtroom. An evaluation of common deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testimony topics encountered in 2017 trials by analysts will be discussed. The panel will also discuss specific questions received from prosecution and defense attorneys and possible responses in expert witness testimony. The workshop will be conducted in an open forum format where attendees will be encouraged to contribute and bring forward additional testimony topics.
During the workshop, attendees will gain a better understanding of:
- Probabilistic genotyping (STRmix™ software)
- The likelihood ratio
- Response to the amended FBI allele frequencies comprising of cases with statistics calculated before and after the Erratum
- Secondary transfer (including the most recent publications on transfer)
- Statistical consequences of the expanded polymerase chain reaction (PCR) commercial kits
- Responding to forensic implications from media publications/landmark court decisions
- Video testimony and the continued response to the confrontation clause
Rachel Oefelein, Quality Assurance Manager/Senior DNA Analyst, DNA Labs International.
Rachel Oefelein is the quality assurance manager and senior DNA analyst for DNA Labs International. She received her MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde and her BS in Criminal Justice, with a Forensic Science Minor, from Loyola University of New Orleans. Oefelein worked at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) for nearly five years. She interned at the Forensic Lab in Krakow, Poland and is a board member for an animal rescue group.
Now in its 28th year, ISHI is a symposium focused on DNA analysis. Approximately 950 scientists, DNA analysts, law enforcement and legal and ethical experts from around the world gather to share the latest technologies, announce new product concepts and debate policy issues. The conference is open to all practitioners and suppliers of DNA analysis for human identification.
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About DNA Labs International:
Since 2004, DNA Labs International has been providing clients with exceptional quality service based on open communications, equal attention to the importance of every case and accurate and reliable results every time. DNA Labs International is proudly built on 30 years of experience in forensic serology and DNA analysis – from identification of biological fluids to DNA analysis. They provide the latest technology available to solve cases; such as the M-VAC®, a wet vacuum DNA collection tool and STRmix®, a software program that can solve previously inconclusive DNA results. DNA Labs International is accredited by ANSI-AQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the country’s longest established provider of ISO 17025 accreditation to Forensic Sciences testing laboratories in the U.S. www.dnalabsinternational.com
