How to Ethically and Effectively Use This Powerful Tool to Solve Serious Crimes

           

Virtual
Hosted by NAGTRI Center for Ethics and Public Integrity, NIJ National Center on Forensics, and George Mason University

 

Moderator:

• Joe DiZinno, Associate Professor, George Mason University; Principal Investigator, NIJ National Center on Forensics

Panelists:

• Melanie Thomas Armstrong, Genetic Genealogist, ThroughLine Consultants
• Danny Hellwig, Laboratory Director, Intermountain Forensics
• Dr. Mark Wilson, Director of Forensic Science, Parabon Nanolabs

 

Part Two: FGG: The Forensic Laboratory Perspective

Nov. 9, 2022
This presentation provides a deeper dive into the type of DNA analysis required for FGG.

Speaker:

• Danny Hellwig, Laboratory Director, Intermountain Forensics

 

Part Three: Genealogical Research

Nov. 14, 2022
This presentation explains how genetic genealogists help determine the identity of the source of a DNA sample.

Speaker:

• CeCe Moore, Chief Genetic Genealogist, Parabon Nanolabs

 

Part Four: Federal Resources

Nov. 16, 2022
This panel discusses federal grants, training, and technical assistance—including from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s crime laboratory—that can assist state and local prosecutors and law enforcement with using FGG.

Moderator:

• Joe DiZinno, Associate Professor, George Mason University; Principal Investigator, NIJ National Center on Forensics

Panelists:

• Laura Twitchell, Managing Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Justice Division, Washington Attorney General’s Office
• Angela Williamson, PhD, Supervisor, Forensics Unit/FBI ViCAP Liaison, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice

 

Part Five: Potential Legal Issues When Using FGG **CLE Eligible

Nov. 28, 2022
This session will address constitutional, statutory, and ethical issues that may arise for prosecutors when using FGG during an investigation or introducing evidence at trial.

Moderator:

• Amie Ely, Director, Center for Ethics & Public Integrity, National Association of Attorneys General/ NIJ National Center on Forensics

Panelists:

• Matthew Baldock, Chief Criminal Deputy, Snohomish County (Washington) Prosecutor’s Office
• Leighton D’Antoni, Chief, Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), Dallas County District Attorney’s Office
• Laurie Korenbaum, NIJ National Center on Forensics
• Laura Twitchell, Managing Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Justice Division, Washington Attorney General’s Office

 

Part Six: Case Studies

Nov. 30, 2022
This session wraps up the series by discussing criminal cases during which FGG was used.

Moderator:

• Joe DiZinno, Associate Professor, George Mason University; Principal Investigator, NIJ National Center on Forensics

Panelists:

• Matthew Baldock, Chief Criminal Deputy, Snohomish County (Washington) Prosecutor’s Office
• Leighton D’Antoni, Chief, Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), Dallas County District Attorney’s Office
• Anne Marie Schubert, Sacramento County District Attorney

 

Registration and CLE Credit Information

This webinar is free and open to the public. CLE is not eligible for part one, two, three, four, and six.

REGISTRATION (EXCEPT PART FIVE)

For part five, NAGTRI will apply for CLE for eligible attendees per CLE accrediting body guidelines.

PART FIVE: REGISTRATION **CLE Eligible

 

Accessible Event Planning

Please complete the Accessibility Request Form if you request accommodations for this event.

 

About the NIJ National Center on Forensics

The NIJ National Center on Forensics is a multi-organizational effort funded by the National Institute of Justice that focuses on increasing the forensic workforce and increasing scientific knowledge resources for the legal system. The Center’s three main goals are to:

1. Provide medico-legal learning opportunities for medical students to train as deputy medical examiners/coroners in underserved rural areas.
2. Provide forensic science and legal training to prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement.
3. Develop opportunities among the designated partners to benefit current and future practitioners in the field.

Disclaimer

This webinar is supported by Award No. 2020-MU-CX-0001, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed during this webinar series are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.