New Orleans, Louisiana – February 13-18, 2017

Submitted by: Elizabeth Chesna, Society of Forensic Sciences President

Students of the Society of Forensic Science were given the opportunity to attend the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in New Orleans, Louisiana. This annual meeting brings people together from several disciplines including criminalistics (DNA and trace evidence), toxicology, biology/pathology, and forensic psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Participants attended a job fair that had laboratories from all over the country seeking prospective employees. They were able to discuss their projects and learn about their work, which was a great opportunity for upcoming graduates. “Their laboratories were particularly interested in some of the newer technology we are using at Sam Houston State University,” said Elizabeth Chesna.

During the reception, participants were able to network with others from various fields, including medical examiners, vendors, DNA analysts, toxicologists, as other students. The conference also hosted a reception for participants to network with others in their specific field. Alumni from SHSU and faculty from other schools worked in collaboration on projects in preparation for this event. Other attendees were representatives of companies where some of the Society of Forensic Science members work. Participants were able to connect with everyone on a more personal level, and were introduced to many influential people in the field of forensics. During the conference, attendees had an opportunity to visit the exhibit hall, where vendors were available to discuss up and coming technologies, and showcased their most innovative instruments, kits, microscopes, etc.

Several students from the SHSU Society of Forensic Science presented their research at this conference, in both the poster and oral presentation categories. These presentations were in the fields of DNA, toxicology, and trace evidence. The presenters and their topics included: Elizabeth Chesna, oral presenter “Relationship of Oxytocin (OXT) and the Serotonin Transporter (5-HTT) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Antisocial Behavior,” Carrie Polston, oral presenter “Evaluation of Instrument Sensitivity and Stability for Magnetic Flux Measurement Relative to Toner Area as a Screening Tool for Casework Application,” Kyleen Elwick, poster presenter “Comparative Tolerance of Short Tandem Repeat and Massively Parallel Sequencing Chemistries to Inhibited Samples,” Michelle Harell, poster presenter “The Effect of Using an Extra Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Cycle with Global Filer when Amplifying Skeletal Samples,” Kimberly Setien, poster presenter “Investigating the Utility of Automated Flash Chromatography in Forensic Drug Analysis.”

This was a great opportunity for Sam Houston to continue to be influential in the field of forensic sciences. The poster sessions allowed the students to walk around and talk with other students, professors, and examiners in the field about their research, and with other students working on research in their same specific concentrations. For example, one student was able to review posters and presentations addressing microRNAs for body fluid identification. There are very few people in the country doing this work and she was able to talk with them about developments that may assist her in her research design.

These meetings are important because participants are able to share their research and aid in improving the field of forensic science as a whole. According to Ms. Chesna, “several people asked for copies of our research and business cards so they could find out more about our research and possibly do collaboration work.” This meeting was great because it was a collection of all the fields used in forensic science; therefore, participants were able to see how the fields work together to help with casework. Participants also had an opportunity to listen to several influential speakers in the field, including the medical examiner from the show, “Dr. G, Medical Examiner.” Overall, everyone learned a lot and enjoyed this meeting.