DNA Labs International’s quality assurance manager, Rachel Oefelein, and senior DNA analyst, Cristina Rentas, to each lead separate presentations at ISHI, held in Seattle, Washington,
Oct. 2 – 5, 2017.
Deerfield Beach, Fla. (September 2017) – DNA Labs International, a private forensic laboratory in Broward County, Florida, announces that two of its Senior DNA Analysts will each be leading their own presentations during the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), to be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington, Oct. 2 – 5, 2017. Rachel Oefelein, quality assurance manager and senior DNA analyst for DNA Labs International, will be leading “We Solve Crime with a Little Help from our Friends” on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 from 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., while Christina Rentas, DNA Labs International senior DNA analyst, will be leading “It Runs in the Family, or Does It? Using Probabilistic Genotyping to Evaluate Possible Familial Relationships in Complex Mixtures” on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 from 9:50 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.
In “We Solve Crime with a Little Help from our Friends,” Rachel Oefelein will discuss how to utilize international cooperation to solve crimes, in particular, cases of serial offenders. Furthermore, the process of establishing this cooperation through the proper channels and the means of seeking out “niche” forensic testing options will be examined. Learn more about this presentation by visiting the ISHI website.
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. Rachel 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.
In “It Runs in the Family, or Does It? Using Probabilistic Genotyping to Evaluate Possible Familial Relationships in Complex Mixtures,” Cristina Rentas will discuss how STRmix™, validated at DNA Labs International in 2015, can be used to assist in deconvoluting mixtures that would otherwise be too complex for DNA analysts to resolve without the use of probabilistic genotyping software. Case examples evaluating the possibility of familial relationships occurring in mixture samples and how these instances were managed will be discussed. Learn more about this presentation by visiting the ISHI website.
Cristina Rentas, Senior DNA Analyst, DNA Labs International.
Cristina Rentas is a senior DNA analyst at DNA Labs International. She received her Master of Forensic Science in Forensic Molecular Biology from George Washington University, as well as a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering and Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the Catholic University of America. Previously, she worked at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) for six years in the past identifying the remains of fallen soldiers from military conflicts such as World War I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Her current responsibilities include the laboratory processing and analysis of thousands of samples at DNA Labs International, including complex mixtures requiring the use of probabilistic genotyping software, STRmix. She has testified to her conclusions in court systems within the U.S. and internationally.
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.
To learn more about DNA Labs International’s capabilities, visit http://dnalabsinternational.com/. Stay up to date on the latest in forensics by following DNA Labs International on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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. 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. They can now achieve comparable DNA results from spent shell casings! DNA Labs International is accredited by ANSI-ASQ 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
