Speakers

The National Criminal Justice Association counts as it's foundational members the nation's 56 State Administering Agencies (SAAs). Annually, those SAAs are responsible for the distribution and management of over $2 Billion in federal criminal justice focused funds. And those funds are applied across the entire breadth and scope of the criminal justice system: from law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, specialty court, corrections, community corrections and more. As Executive Director, Chris is responsible for insuring that NCJA fulfills its mission to help SAAs maximize the impact of those funds in criminal justice systems throughout the country.

Stacey Baker is a Senior Forensic Scientist with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office with 17 years of experience in DNA analysis and is board certified by the American Board of Criminalistics in the field of Molecular Biology. She also serves as the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Coordinator and is the Cold Case Liaison for her agency and surrounding Palm Beach County law enforcement agencies.

Jack Ballantyne is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the Director of the National Center for Forensic Science in Orlando, Florida. Prior to entering academia, he was a casework forensic scientist in Scotland, Hong Kong and New York. His current research projects include RNA profiling for body fluid and tissue identification, trace DNA analysis including single-cell genomics and mixture deconvolution and genomics applications in forensic genetics.

Virginia “Ginny” Barron, J.D., is the founder of Barron Law Office in Westbrook, Minnesota, where she represents individuals charged with criminal offenses and consults with Minnesota defense attorneys on complex forensic DNA evidence.

Her work centers on translating complex forensic DNA evidence into effective courtroom strategy while ensuring the underlying science is accurately understood and fairly presented.

Cairenn Binder, MS, AIGG is the Director of the Ramapo College of New Jersey Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. Cairenn has been at the forefront of IGG since its inception, applying genetic genealogy to identify human remains with the nonprofit organization DNA Doe Project from 2018 through 2023.

Deborah Brashers is the daughter of Robert Eugene Brashers, an American serial killer responsible for the murders of at least eight women and girls between 1990 and 1998. Deborah first learned about her father’s crimes in 2018, and the news immediately changed the course of her life. She began speaking publicly about her memories of her father while also offering help to law enforcement. This experience has given her a deep passion for pursuing a degree in criminal justice, driven by a desire to better understand the system, support investigations, and contribute to meaningful change.

Jo-Anne Bright is a Senior Science Leader within the Forensic Biology group at PHF Science, where she has worked since 1999. Jo is one of the co developers of STRmix™, expert software for the interpretation of forensic DNA profiles and the new Australasian standard.

John M. Butler is an internationally recognized expert in forensic DNA analysis and holds a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Virginia. He has written five textbooks on Forensic DNA Typing (2001, 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2015) and given hundreds of invited talks to scientists, lawyers, and members of the public throughout the United States and in 30 other countries so far.

Dr. Janet Cady is a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at Parabon NanoLabs. She received her PhD in Human and Statistical Genetics from Washington University in St. Louis. Since joining Parabon in 2016, she has performed advanced DNA analysis on hundreds of forensic cases. She specializes in method development and analysis of sequencing data.

Kris Cano brings a distinguished record of scientific expertise and leadership. Kris has qualified as an expert witness in forensic serology and DNA analysis approximately 60 times since 1997, testifying in state courts across Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, and Washington, as well as in federal courts and military tribunals domestically and internationally. In addition to her forensic background, Kris is an executive leader. She currently serves as the Chief Advancement Officer for Leadership Austin, overseeing earned and contributed revenue strategies to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director and CEO of YWCA Greater Austin, advancing mission-driven programs focused on equity and community empowerment.

Michael Coble, PhD, is a Professor and the Executive Director of the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. Dr. Coble received his PhD in Genetics from The George Washington University. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in forensic DNA analysis and interpretation and is recognized among the top 2% of highly cited researchers worldwide.

John Collins is a High-Stakes Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach at Critical Victories, a company he founded to help people, teams, and organizations thrive in high-pressure environments where perfection is an expectation and failure is a ticket out the door.  He is also among the most respected forensic experts in the United States, recently publishing his first book on leadership and management in forensic science, which was released by Academic Press just last month. 

John E. Corrigan, Esq., is an Assistant Attorney General and the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division of the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General, overseeing operations in the state’s counties outside of Providence County.  He served previously as Chief of the Department’s District Court Unit and its Newport County office.  Twice he has filled the role of Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor.  He has been a prosecutor for more than twenty-two years.

Jennifer Degner, BSN, RN, CA-SANE, SANE-A is a Certified Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (CA-SANE) and SANE-A certified forensic nurse with nearly two decades of experience providing trauma-informed, forensic medical care to survivors of sexual assault, physical abuse, intimate partner violence, non-fatal strangulation, and elder abuse. Having cared for patients across the age spectrum, Jennifer brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to forensic nursing practice. Currently serving as a SANE/SAFE Project Instructor, Jennifer develops and delivers statewide forensic nursing education across Colorado and provides telehealth consultation to support forensic examinations throughout the state.

Dana M. Delger is an attorney who works as a consultant to the Forensic Science Standards Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

A microbiologist with more than 25 years of experience in criminalistics and forensic genetics, she has developed a solid professional career supporting the scientific, technical, and managerial components of human identification in judicial and human rights contexts, through her work with the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) of the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia. She is a specialist in forensic investigations of human rights violations and has received continuous national and international training in forensic statistics, molecular biology, and method validation.

Alain Edwards is the Chief Technology Officer at DNA Labs International, where he leads the organization's technology strategy across software engineering, laboratory systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and product development. With more than 12 years of engineering and technology leadership experience, he works at the intersection of forensic science, laboratory operations, and secure software development.

Kelly Elkins, PhD, is Professor of Chemistry and co-Director of the TU Human Remains Identification Laboratory at Towson University and a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Chemical Society.

Marissa Esterline is a Forensic Scientist at the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio, with fifteen years of experience in forensic DNA analysis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic biology from Ohio Northern University and a master’s degree in forensic DNA and serology from the University of Florida.

Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD is widely recognized as the founder of modern Investigative Forensic Genetic Genealogy. She has pioneered the use of genetic genealogy Y-STR and autosomal SNP analysis for generating forensic intelligence on cold cases sometimes decades old. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s expertise with compromised DNA has led to identifications that otherwise were believed to have gone beyond the reach of modern technology.

Rachel Gabrielse is a Crime Laboratory Analyst Supervisor in the Biology/DNA Section at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Tampa, FL. She’s spent over 13 years with FDLE and has made the most of her time in every role she’s held, from her beginning years as a Forensic Technologist to her 11 years spent as a Crime Laboratory Analyst. Her mission within the field is to promote the highest quality of work balanced with a fun and supportive workplace environment. She is a trainer and a coach at heart, and her true forensic science loves include maximizing efficiency in workflow processes (which she considers her real life escape room simulator) and tackling the beast that is courtroom testimony. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO.

Zachary Goecker is a Health Scientist in the Mass Spectrometry Data Center Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. His research applies proteomic mass spectrometry to forensic biology, with an emphasis on genetically variant peptides for human identification and body-fluid-specific peptides for body fluid identification.

Catherine Grgicak (Gerg-i-chuck) is an Associate Professor and Henry Rutgers Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Rutgers University in Camden NJ, and serves as Program Director for the Forensic Science programs at the same institution. She received her M.S.F.S. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa. Her Laboratory for Forensic Technology and Integration (LFTDI) develops systems that improve forensically relevant data generating and interpretive systems.

Ms. Grossweiler is the National DNA Index System Program Manager in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's CODIS Unit. Lisa has over 33 years of experience in the forensic DNA field, serving in the private and public sectors. She joined the Federal DNA Database Unit of the FBI Laboratory in 2010 as a DNA Examiner and in 2019 transferred to the CODIS Unit where she accepted her current role as NDIS Custodian.

David is an investigative genetic genealogy expert and leader who is driven to expand the use of IGG to bring justice and answers to more victims and families. He has worked across every stage of the IGG pipeline: setting public policy, consulting with investigating agencies, navigating lab choices, training practitioners, conducting casework, addressing legal challenges, expanding databases, and bridging international borders. David is consulted by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, wrongful convictions organizations, and legislators about implementing IGG.

Dr. Hares is the Rapid DNA Implementation Program Advisor for the FBI’s Biometric Analysis Section.  He joined the DNA Analysis Unit II of the FBI Laboratory in 2000 as a Forensic Examiner.  In 2006, Dr. Hares transferred to the CODIS Unit where he served as the NDIS Custodian for over 13 years. 

Shannon Hodder serves as a Senior Assistant District Attorney with the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office in Decatur, Georgia, where she leads the Cold Case Task Force and prosecutes complex homicide cases, including those that have remained unresolved for decades. She has tried more than thirty murder cases to conviction—several of them cold cases, including a serial rapist and killer whose crimes spanned five states, a 20-year unidentified child homicide, a no-body murder, and a rape and double murder from 1990 involving Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG).

Brian Hoey is the former Director of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory System. Brian was with the MSHP Crime Lab for 29 years. Brian began his career as a DNA analyst and served as the Laboratory’s TL for 8 years. His current leadership focus is to coach the transition from bench Criminalist to supervision and management.

In March of 2017, Ms. Horan joined the Kings County District Attorney’s Office as a DNA Specialist in the Forensic Science & Cold Case Unit. She became the first forensic scientist to be hired on staff at a prosecutor’s office in New York State. Ms. Horan is responsible for providing training in serology and DNA testing for staff attorneys and local law enforcement. She also assists in grand jury and trial preparation for all DNA prosecutions and works with the NYPD Cold Case Squad in their homicide investigations.

Forensic Expert of Brazilian Federal Police acting as Liaison Officer at the General Secretariat of INTERPOL in Lyon/France (DNA Specialized Officer/DNA Unit). Pharmacist-Biochemist specialist in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Master and Doctorate degrees. Certified in Public Manager Preparation by the National School of Public Administration. Head of the Forensic Genetics Area at the National Institute of Criminalistics from 2016 to 2018. Head of the Sector of DNA Databases, Custodian of the National DNA Database and Coordinator of the Steering Committee of the Brazilian Network of DNA Databases from 2019 to 2023.

Tim Kalafut is a recovering 20+ year lab practitioner that made the jump to the world of academia in 2020. He is currently teaching the next generation of forensic DNA examiners as they complete their masters and PhD level research projects at SHSU. His research interests are heavily involved in DNA interpretation, such as mixture interpretations of related persons, NGS mixtures, and the interpretations and limitations of DNA findings given activity level interpretations. He maintains an active presence in the practitioner world by way of case consulting and testimony and providing training and continuing education.

In her current role, Jessica focuses on bridging innovative forensic DNA technology with law enforcement adoption, particularly in the application of forensic investigative genetic genealogy. She is deeply passionate about advancing awareness of how cutting-edge DNA technologies are helping to solve cases worldwide. In addition to her professional work, Jessica serves on the Board of Directors of the International Homicide Investigators Association as Director of Corporate Counsel.

In 2006, Shena was hired as a Criminalist in the DNA Casework Section at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory located in Jefferson City, MO. Shena continued her role as a DNA Criminalist until 2021, when she was promoted to a Forensic Scientist Supervisor in DNA Casework, where she is still employed today. Throughout Shena’s career as a forensic scientist in DNA, she has acted as a CODIS administrator, a STACS administrator, led multiple validations studies, acted as a DNA trainer for new analysts, provided DNA-specific training for countless law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and SANE nurses, and has testified over 100 times in at least 30 Missouri counties.

Andrew Lee has served as a prosecutor for more than 12 years and currently works on the Cold Case Homicide Task Force of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. In this role, he manages complex homicide investigations and prosecutions, partnering with law enforcement to uncover investigative opportunities, develop viable cases for prosecution, and leverage emerging forensic technologies. He has secured $1,000,000 in grant funding to support these efforts and to deliver long-awaited justice not just for the victims, but also their loved ones.

Eugene is actively involved in the community and is a member of many forensic working groups.  Throughout his career, he seems to be directly involved with standards and guidelines – both following them and helping to write them.  He has been a participant of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) for more than 17 years and a participant of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science since its inception. 

Meng-Han Lin is a Senior Scientist at The New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Limited (PHF Science) and has been employed in the STRmix™ team since 2016. A molecular biologist by background, his role is primarily responsible for the development, validation, and support of FaSTR™ DNA analysis software.

Kevin Lord is Director of Bioinformatics at Astrea Forensics, where he leads development of bioinformatics tools and workflows for forensic investigative genetic genealogy. He is the architect and lead developer of Astrea’s ISO 17025-validated WOPR pipeline, which converts challenging low-coverage and degraded sequencing data into FIGG-optimized SNP profiles.

Steve Lund received his PhD in statistics from Iowa State University. He joined NIST as a mathematical statistician in 2012 and currently leads the Evidential Statistics Focus Area. He is a former member of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), currently supports three of the NIST Forensic Science Foundations Review teams, and is the developer of the NIST Validation Assessment Tool (VAST).

Kara Hoopis Manosh is the President of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a founding partner of Manosh Payette, LLC, where her practice focuses on serious felony and homicide defense in state and federal courts. For nearly two decades, she has represented indigent and privately retained clients in some of Rhode Island's most complex criminal cases, with extensive trial experience involving homicide, violent offenses, and other major felonies.

Mike Marciano is a Professor of Practice and the Director for Research in the College of Arts and Sciences Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University. His research focuses on the analysis and interpretation of low quality/quantity human and non-human DNA samples using both wet bench techniques and statistical/machine learning methods with emphasis on single cell DNA analyses.

Dr. Marshall has extensive graduate and undergraduate teaching experience in the forensic disciplines of serology, DNA, and microscopy. Her research interests include low copy number DNA, human and wildlife DNA identification challenges, nanoparticle technology, pressure cycling technology, and PCR enhancement.

Catherine McGovern is a Science Leader at The New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Limited (PHF Science), with over 30 years’ experience in the forensic biology discipline. Her current role is as Team Leader of customer training and support services within the STRmix team.

Kevin McKenna is a Criminalist at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner in the Department of Forensic Biology, the largest public forensic DNA laboratory in the country. As a Criminalist, he has examined physical evidence and performed DNA analysis on hundreds of cases and provided expert testimony in multiple New York City courts.

CeCe Moore is an internationally recognized DNA investigative expert, educator and pioneer in the field of genetic genealogy. She has led the Parabon Genetic Genealogy Team to the unparalleled record of over 400 successful identifications of violent criminal suspects and unidentified decedents since 2018. Starting in 2010, she began developing the now widely used genetic genealogy techniques that have become foundational to the IGG field. CeCe’s work with law enforcement has led to the first conviction, the first conviction through jury verdict, the first conviction in a recent violent crime, and the first exoneration in cases where the suspect was identified through genetic genealogy.

Dr. Nicole Novroski is an Associate Professor with tenure in the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences and the Associate Director for the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Dr. Novroski specializes in using massively parallel sequencing coupled with novel approaches and methodologies for forensic human identity testing. Her current focus is the exploration of previously uncharacterized genetic markers for improved DNA mixture deconvolution and in the optimization of genetic workflows for investigative genetic genealogy.

Craig O’Connor, PhD. is the Director of the Department of Forensic Biology at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the largest public forensic DNA laboratory in the United States. He oversees the daily operations and staff of about 200 analysts, technicians, and support personnel.

Megan O’Donnell joined the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory Biology unit in 2016 where she currently serves as the supervising Forensic Scientist and the Technical Leader. She is an active member of New Hampshire’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Board, where she participates in the training of new SANE nurses and the state’s sexual assault kit design. Since 2022, she has led a fantastic group of scientists on a journey to optimize DNA analysis in the state of New Hampshire and the United States having successfully sponsored the first 8-dye STR and Y-STR chemistry to be given NDIS approval for use in CODIS as well as becoming the first forensic laboratory in the world with an 8-dye chemistry analysis and interpretation workflow with FaSTR DNA and STRMix software.

Rachel Oefelein is currently the Chief Scientific Officer at DNA Labs International (DLI) and Laboratory Director. Since joining DNA Labs International in 2014, Rachel was instrumental in implementing STRmix™ for five profiling systems, rootless hair shaft testing, and Next Generation Sequencing in three profiling systems. She also innovated and implemented DLI’s successful SpentShell™ technology for fired cartridge casings.

Dr. Niki Osborne is a forensic research scientist and human factors specialist with expertise in decision-making, cognitive bias, and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in forensic science. She was the Project Lead for the NIST/NIJ Expert Working Group on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation and has worked closely with forensic scientists, researchers, and legal professionals across the forensic community.

As the president of FHD Forensics, Allison Peacock leads a team of genealogical detectives in a wide range of unknown subject investigations for law enforcement, archaeologists, and trafficking survivors. In addition to modern unidentified remains cases, FHD Forensics is currently working with some of the world’s oldest autosomal DNA profiles for the Camden Fourteen DNA Project to identify 18th century Revolutionary War combatants. The announcement of their first identification was recently made in Baltimore.

Dr. Mark Perlin is Chief Scientific and Executive Officer at Cybergenetics. He has twenty years’ experience developing computer methods for information-rich interpretation of DNA evidence, and providing TrueAllele® products and services to the criminal justice community. His innovative TrueAllele computer solution replaced less accurate forensic approaches.

Ryan Powell has been a prosecutor for nearly 20 years. He started his career at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted the case that allowed him to meet and work with Ashley Spence and Jennifer Degner. Ryan now works as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, where he also serves as Senior Litigation Counsel.

Ryan’s career has focused on prosecuting those who commit violent and sexual crimes against women and children. Ryan is regularly recognized for his work with crime victims, and he recently received the Brett Day Legacy Award for the Protection of Vulnerable Victims. Ryan prosecuted the case that is featured in the 2026 Netflix docuseries “Trust Me: The False Prophet.”

Ryan is participating in ISHI 2026 in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney’s Office.

Erica Romsos is a Research Biologist with the Applied Genetics Group at NIST focusing on rapid DNA testing, digital PCR analysis, and standards development. Her work in Standard Reference Material characterization has assisted the creation of many SRMs produced by NIST and the creation of a Research Grade Testing Material (RGTM 10235) for the forensic DNA community. Additionally, Erica is the Leader of the Forensic Science Quality Assurance Program, supporting method testing, validation, and technology performance across different forensic science disciplines.

Karen L. Ross is an investigative and legal strategist with nearly 30 years of experience leading high-profile homicide and cold case investigations in New York City. As the founding Chief of the Queens District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit and Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, she developed a strategic model for solving decades-old homicides and unidentified remains cases. 

A national leader in forensic innovation, Karen led the successful prosecution of New York City’s first case utilizing investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) to resolve a 45-year-old murder. She is a three-time FBI-certified IGG professional and has secured over $1.5 million in federal funding to enhance cold case investigations and support forensic backlogs.

Raman Sandhu-Kirmer is a Forensic Scientist Technical Leader with the Mesa Public Safety Support Forensic Laboratory, bringing over 20 years of experience in forensic biology, DNA analysis, and laboratory operations. She oversees technical procedures, quality assurance programs, and compliance with accreditation standards, while continuing to perform casework and technical reviews.

Nick is a career prosecutor with nearly two decades of experience investigating and prosecuting complex criminal cases, including homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Currently serving as the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Cold Case Homicide Task Force, Nick oversees the review, investigation, and prosecution of nearly 300 unsolved homicide cases in Suffolk County. In this role, he works closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify investigative opportunities, develop prosecutable cases, and apply emerging forensic technologies to bring long-overdue justice to victims and their families.

Christine Scott is currently a Forensic Scientist 2 - DNA Analyst at the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office in Cleveland, Ohio since January 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and her Master of Science in Forensic Science from the University of California at Davis.

Donald Siegel is Principal Scientist in the Department of Forensic Biology at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, where he leads the Emerging Technologies Group. His work focuses on evaluating and implementing emerging forensic technologies, including proteomic mass spectrometry and massively parallel sequencing, for forensic casework applications.

Julie Conover Sikorsky is the Forensic Biology Manager at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. She joined PBSO in 2002 as a Senior Forensic Scientist and became Forensic Biology Manager in 2012. Julie holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UC San Diego and M.S. degrees in Forensic Science and Biomedical Science from Marshall University. ABC-certified in Molecular Biology and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, she serves on multiple forensic science committees and frequently presents at industry conferences. Dedicated to advancing forensic science, Julie focuses on innovation, process improvement, and mentorship.

Jeff Smallwood is a Police Specialist and 27-year veteran with the Cincinnati Police Department where he has been assigned to the Homicide Unit since 2020.  Before his current assignment he worked in the Personal Crimes Unit for 18 years primarily investigating sexual assaults.

Ashley Spence is the founder of the DNA Justice Project, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that champions forensic DNA advocacy and reform. A survivor of a violent 2003 home invasion and sexual assault at age 19 while a student at Arizona State University, Ashley endured years of uncertainty until a 2010 CODIS DNA match identified and convicted her attacker, who received nearly 138 years in prison.

Ashley is an author and victim advocate whose memoir, Silent Witness: How DNA Uncovered the Truth and Empowered My Healing, weaves her personal journey with an urgent call for DNA policy changes. As a mother residing in the Austin, Texas area, her work bridges survivor voices, science, and policy to build safer communities

Stephanie Stoiloff is currently the Director of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Forensic and Technology Division, overseeing the Information Technology Office, the Crime Scene and Evidence Bureau, and a full-service, accredited Crime Laboratory that provides forensic services for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, all municipal agencies in Miami-Dade County, and state and federal agencies, upon request.

Dr. Henry Swofford is the Lead Scientist with the Forensic Science Research Program in the Special Programs Office at NIST. Over his career, Swofford has authored several articles and given approximately 150 professional presentations throughout the United States and International community related to forensic science methods and practices. He has testified in federal, state, and military courts as an expert and served on numerous committees and boards related to forensic science.

Melissa Taylor is a Senior Forensic Science Research Manager within the Special Programs Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Her work focuses primarily on integrating human-factors principles into forensic sciences, process mapping, understanding expert decision-making, and developing requirements for adopting trustworthy and responsible AI systems.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney is a career prosecutor, having served more than 30 years as a prosecutor at both the state and federal levels. Elected on November 2, 2021, and re-elected in 2025, he is committed to enforcing the law in an ethical and accountable manner to protect the citizens of Suffolk County. Ray started his career in law enforcement as an assistant district attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in 1992. He worked his way up through the ranks of the office from prosecuting misdemeanors, to trials of kidnappings, arsons, violent sexual assaults, and murder.

Elyssa has worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for over 14 years. She has found a love for cold cases and a knack for bending the SOP to her will. (All with TL and supervisor approval)

Dr. Cristina Valencia is the Lab Director at Astrea Forensics, where she leads the development and application of ancient DNA methods, next‑generation sequencing, and analytical workflows for forensic investigations. Since joining Astrea in 2020, she has contributed to more than one hundred cases, specializing in the recovery and analysis of rootless hairs and other highly degraded DNA samples for law enforcement agencies.

Samantha Wandzek is the Technical Leader of Signature Science’s Forensic DNA Laboratory in Austin, Texas. Ms. Wandzek oversees all technical aspects of the laboratory including validation and implementation of all forensic methods. In addition, she continues to function as a Forensic DNA Analyst by reporting and performing technical review of DNA analyses and case files.

Tracie is a psychologist who has worked for over seventeen years in several environments, including higher education, private practice, and a men’s prison. She has done therapy with couples and individuals who were struggling with substance abuse, trauma, depression, and other mental health challenges.

She is the Chief Police Psychologist in the Office of Behavioral Science for the Michigan State Police. She teaches at the training academy, does presentations on self-care, and helps the enlisted and civilian members process the traumatic experiences they encounter in the workplace. Most of all, she enjoys watching people journey from unhealthy functioning to overall wellness.

Dr. Ray Wickenheiser, is the retired Director of the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, formerly headquartered in Albany, New York.  Ray is now located in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he provides forensic consulting and training. His areas of expertise include crime lab administration, quality management, conflict resolution, forensic DNA and mixture interpretation, serology, hair and fiber trace evidence, physical matching and comparison, glass fracture analysis, forensic grain comparison and forensic investigative genetic genealogy. 

Richard Wivell is a Senior Scientist within the STRmixTM  team at PHF Science, New Zealand where he has worked since 2008.  Before moving to New Zealand, Richard was a Forensic Scientist for the Metropolitan Police Service and the Forensic Science Service in the UK.

August Woerner is an Associate Professor in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. By training he is a computer scientist and a geneticist, and he has been an active researcher in the fields of computational biology, bioinformatics and population genomics for almost twenty years. August has served on several genome consortia, developed numerous software packages, and his works have been cited over 4500 times. Much of August’s current research focuses on whole genome sequencing, particular, its application to forensic genetic genealogy.

Kameran Wong is Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development at DNA Labs International, a privately owned forensic DNA laboratory. With over a decade of experience in the forensic DNA and genomics space, she has led and supported initiatives spanning next-generation sequencing, laboratory implementation, and community engagement, working closely with forensic laboratories, scientists, and institutional stakeholders.

Helena Wong is a Criminalist II at the Oakland Police Department Crime Laboratory. She joined the Forensic Biology Unit in 2010 and has over 15 years of experience in casework. Helena has been involved in and led numerous validation studies, including automating the differential extraction process and implementing FaSTR™ DNA.