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UIndy impresses at forensic science conference

February 25, 2016 in Alumni NewsCommunity engagementGraduate ProgramsScienceStaff NewsStudent newsThe Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences

Primary Transfer - webDNA researchers: Human Biology graduate students Kathleen Paschal (left), Helen Brandt and Amanda Khan won an award for their presentation at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual conference.

A contingent of about 30 UIndy students, alumni and prospective students have been making their mark this week at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas.

Latham
Latham

Guiding the group is Dr. Krista Latham, associate professor of Biology and Anthropology and director of osteology for UIndy’s Archaeology & Forensics Laboratory, the go-to facility in the Midwest for public agencies seeking to identify human remains.

Among the conference highlights so far:

  • Latham received her certificate of Diplomate status from the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. This designation, the highest in the field, is shared by fewer than 80 active practitioners worldwide.
  • Human Biology graduate students Marisa Teal Ketchum and Erin Vollmer presented on tertiary DNA transfer in the Criminalistics Section and were nominated for the Emerging Forensic Scientists Award.
  • Fellow grad students Helen Brandt, Amanda Khan and Kathleen Paschal won an award for their presentation on primary DNA transfer at the Young Forensic Scientists Forum.
  • Latham and graduate student Justin Maiers moderated an afternoon of presentations under the theme “Remote Sensing, Archaeological Techniques for Vehicle Fires, and Burned Human Remains Analysis.”

Tertiary TransferGrad students Marisa Teal Ketchum and Erin Vollmer presented on tertiary DNA transfer and were nominated for the Emerging Forensic Scientists Award.