Welcome Message

Welcome to the 3^rd Annual Online Forensic Symposium. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the second event in this year’s “Online Forensic Symposium – Current Trends in Forensic Trace Analysis.” The demand for information, continuing education and international cooperation has continued to increase, fueling the growth of this Symposium from a 3-day event in 2018 to a series of week-long events covering forensic toxicology, seized drugs, and trace analysis.

As the event has expanded, I have required more assistance in ensuring the exceptional quality of technical content that you have come to expect from the Symposium.  Consequently, I am thrilled to have two outstanding Program Chairs – Tatiana Trejos (West Virginia University) & Gerard van der Peijl (Netherlands Forensic Institute) who have voluntarily dedicated their time and talents in developing this year’s program.  I can’t thank them enough for all that they have done.  Similarly, my heartfelt thanks go out to all of this year’s speakers who are volunteering their time and sharing their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the broader community.

Another change this year is the Symposium’s new home: The Center for Forensic Science, Research & Education (CFSRE).  I am deeply grateful to the CFSRE team, who has worked tirelessly to create a special place for the Symposium to reside.  The alignment of our mission and vision with regard to education, professional development and international outreach in the areas of Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology and Forensic Biology has resulted in a wonderfully synergistic partnership.

Finally, I want to thank all of this year’s sponsors for allowing this week to happen.  As you know, there is no registration fee – the entire event is free of charge to anyone who wishes to attend.  For those unable to join live, the Symposium will be recorded and made available in an on-demand format.  Despite the many volunteer hours that go into producing this event by myself, the speakers, the Program Chairs, and the CFSRE, there are still costs that need to be covered.  If it were not for the generosity of our friends at , and , this event would not be possible.  Please do take the time to listen to their presentations, honestly complete the registration questionnaire which provides them with valuable feedback and support these businesses whenever possible just as they are supporting you this week.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have made personal contributions in support of this event.  Particularly in these difficult economic times, commercial sponsorships fail to cover all the costs of the platform and technical assistance necessary to produce a complex event such as this.  Your individual donations are very much appreciated.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this opportunity to Learn without Leaving the Lab!

Warm Regards,

 

 

Tom Gluodenis, MBA, PMFS, Ph.D.,
Adjunct Professor, Lincoln University
Organizer & Vendor Liaison
Online Forensic Symposium: Forensic Toxicology

linkedin.com/in/tgluodenis

 

 

 

Scientific Program Chairs

“The Value of Trace Evidence Multi-Disciplinary Nature: Needs and Opportunities”

 

Dr. Tatiana Trejos, 2020 Program Chair

Dr. Tatiana Trejos is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Sciences at West Virginia University. Dr. Trejos teaches forensic chemistry and research design courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Trejos’ primary research interest includes the application of chemometrics to evidence interpretation and the discovery of chemical signatures of forensic materials by spectroscopic methods, such as SEM-EDS, ICP-MS, Laser Ablation ICP-MS, u-XRF, and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.

Dr. Trejos’ recent research focuses on the analysis of trace evidence materials, inks, and gunshot residues. Tatiana Trejos has authored over 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters in the field of forensic chemistry and has presented over 140 oral presentations and posters at scientific meetings worldwide.

Dr. Trejos is the recipient of the prestigious science and technology award “Clodomiro Picado Twight” from the Costa Rican National Academy of Sciences (2015) and was listed on the Forensics Colleges’ top 10 forensic chemistry professors. Tatiana has contributed to different scientific working groups, including the EU-funded NITECRIME group, the NIJ-funded Elemental Analysis Working Group (EAGW), and the NIJ-funded Glass Interpretation Working Group. One of the most relevant achievements of these professional groups is the development of technically sound and consensus-based standards to improve forensic practice (e.g., American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standard methods). Tatiana was appointed by NIST to serve as a member of the Materials (Trace) Subcommittee within the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), where she currently serves as chair of the Glass Task Group, and member of the Interpretation, Research, and Physical Fit Groups.

 

Dr. Gerard van der Peijl, 2020 Program Co-chair

Dr. Gerard van der Peijl is a senior forensic scientist at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) where he investigated a wide range of materials (drugs, arson accelerants, paint, glass, tape, …). He also made environmental and wildlife forensics investigations. Van der Peijl has been project leader for various projects, a.o. the forensic application of (LA-)ICPMS and (GC-)IRMS, the use of isotopes to geographically provenance human remains (IDIS) and the development of complex chemical tracers and markers for the Dutch National Police. His interest is in developing combinations of highly discriminating techniques to be able to provide strong links between forensic exhibits.

Gerard van der Peijl is one of the founding members of the Paint and glass group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and the EU NITECRIME project. As scientific secretary of an ENFSI project (on request of the Russian Ministry of Justice) he participated in an international validation of forensic methods for platinum intermediate products. Van der Peijl is a member of the Steering Group of the Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (FIRMS) Network. More recently one of his tasks is to lead multidisciplinary forensic teams in complex investigations and integrate the combined results of these investigations into a single report, if possible at activity level. Bayesian networks are used to scientifically combine (partly) dependent results.

Van der Peijl, on invitation, gave plenary lectures on Advances in Forensic Science at the 1st International Symposium on Forensic Theory and Practice in Shanghai, China (2011), and at the 1st symposium of Korean Forensic Sciences Association, Seoul, South Korea (2013). Van der Peijl co-chaired the ENFSI2012 theme Progress in Forensic Science and Innovative Technology. On invitation he also participated in a 2013 US NSF workshop to discuss forensic science R&D programs. Presently he is a member of the Advisory Board of the Danish SoilTracker project in which new forensic methods are being developed for the investigation of soil traces.

 

 

 

 

Course Details

Current Trends in Forensic Trace Analysis Online Symposium features live access to leaders in their field speaking on compelling topics related to forensic science and forensic trace analysis. There is NO REGISTRATION FEE AND NO TRAVEL COSTS. This is possible through the generous support of commercial sponsors and through individual donors and leaders within the forensic science industry who support open-source learning opportunities, regardless of financial means.

Given the high quality content of this event, the organizers have had the privilege of offering attendees continuing education credit for various different accrediting bodies. In addition to the presentations, this event features a week long scientific poster session and an expert panel discussion at the conclusion of each day. A symposium proceedings is published after the event containing all the slides, posters, and links to the recorded presentations.

 

 

 

 

 

• DAY 1: Trace Evidence: From Crime Scene to the Courtroom
• DAY 2: Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence
• Day 3: Forensic Interpretation of Trace Evidence & the Role of Databases in Forensic Paint Investigations
• Day 4: Current Trends in Hair and Tape Examinations
• Day 5: Needs and Opportunities in Gunshot Residue Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

Open Call for Posters

Submission Deadline: July 20, 2020

Appreciation Page

We, the organizers, and those who benefit from this annual event express our gratitude to all those who have chosen to financially support the Online Forensic Symposium through personal donations.  This event is truly unique in that it is educational, non-commercial and volunteer driven. Speakers receive no honorarium. The Program Chairs and organizers give of their  time.  The Symposium has been able to consistently offer continuing education credits to forensic practitioners.  There is no registration fee or travel costs.  And the CFSRE hosts the event below cost volunteering a significant portion of their time and resources in support of the forensic community.  Despite all these efforts, there are times when commercial sponsorships are not readily available as in these difficult economic times or when they fail to cover all the costs of the platform and technical assistance necessary to produce a complex event such as this.  And so we dedicate this page to all those who have voluntarily contributed to maintain this annual event.  Thank-you for giving us all the opportunity to “learn without leaving the lab”.

 

Past Attendee Testimonials:

• “Thank you for providing this online format, excellent opportunity to attend training without leaving the lab!”
• “Excellent way to obtain CE hours without the expense of travel and hotel costs!”
• “I get access to forensic experts worldwide to learn how those in other countries are addressing the issues I am struggling with!”
• “I was excited seeing so many people from all over the world attending this event!!! I have enjoyed it and hope for more events like this one!!”
• “The information that was given was pertinent to my job. No travel was needed, and it was free! Thank you.”
• “I got to learn a lot about methodology used in the field. As a student, this is very valuable information.”
• “Excellent way to obtain CE hours without the expense of travel and hotel costs.”
• “Quick and easy – can get good info quickly without devoting a significant amount of time away from bench work.”
• “Opportunity to obtain cost-effective and/or free training is essential and very appreciated!”
• “Overall a great review of some material, great intro to new material, as well as practical applications.”