Biology faculty, students attend 72nd American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting

Krista Latham, associate professor of biology and anthropology and Director of the University of Indianapolis Human Identification Center, and 12 Human Biology Grad Students attended the 72nd American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting in Anaheim, CA. (the largest national forensic science conference in the US). Dr. Latham was elected Anthropology Section Scientific Program Co-Chair of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Sidney Thompson and Alba Craig (Human Biology graduate students) were appointed Secretary of the Harassment and Discrimination Subcommittee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Anthropology Section Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Lead Administrator for the Student Only American Academy of Forensic Sciences Anthropology Section-Diversity and Inclusion Facebook Page, respectively.

Dr. Latham and Sidney Thompson moderated panel discussions at the conference and several UIndy faculty, students and recent graduates (bolded) gave presentations at the conference:

“How Sharing Chapstick Influences the DNA Profiles Obtained from the Rim of Ceramic Mugs” by Sidney Thompson, Rebekah Judkins, Laura Scheid, Emily Taner, Krista Latham, Lindsey Williams and Gay Bush, Ph.D.

“Crossing the Borders of Linguistics, Ancestry, and Race in the Field of Forensic Anthropology” by Alba Craig and Krista Latham

“The Ability to Obtain Full DNA Profiles from Nail Clippings after Long-Term Storage at Room Temperature could Impact the Process of Human Identification” by Jonah Stone, Krista Latham, Cindy Cale and Stephen Nawrocki

“Sexual Dimorphism in the Shape of the Auricular Surface of the Ilium” by  Madeline Parker, Stephen Nawrocki and Krista Latham