2026 Meeting Workshops

Tenative Workshop Schedule

	Tuesday April 14		Wednesday April 15
Track	AM	PM	AM	PM
General	Building Emotional Resiliency for Forensic Professionals: Thriving in High-Stress Environments	Strengthening Resilience Through Constructive Feedback and Healthy Boundaries	Steady on the Stand – Effective Expert Testimony	Introduction to Accreditation and Quality Investigations for the Working Scientist
Drug Chemistry	Drawing the Line: Forensic Strategies for Hemp and Marijuana Differentiation	From Seizure to Insight: A Story of Implementation and Training of the RADIAN ASAP	Sampling in Seized-Drug Laboratories
Forensic Biology	Automated DNA Extraction Strategies for Sexual Assault and Missing Persons Casework	TBA (BODE)	New DNA Technology for 2026 and Beyond	TBA (NIST Human Factors Report)
Technology	Intro to Writing Agilent Macros		MassHunter Unknowns and Qualitative Workflows for Forensic Data Analysis

Workshop Descriptions

Full Day Workshops

MassHunter Unknowns and Qualitative Workflows for Forensic Data Analysis

Dr. Kirk Lokits – GCMS Applications Scientist – Agilent Technologies

The full day workshop is designed to introduce and train the audience in the workflows involved when using Unknowns Analysis in the MassHunter software. The workshop begins with a 20-minute slide presentation explaining the deconvolution process, differences between deconvolution and peak integration, and some of the variables involved when using this powerful data analysis tool. Multiple exercises, using forensic data, will illustrate how to translate established workflows within MSD ChemStation Data Analysis to MassHunter Unknowns Analysis. The workshop will include how to generate an in-house library, how to link retention time and or retention indices to each library entry and apply these entries to increase your Library Match Score (LMS) confidence level. Examples of Unknowns Analysis reporting templates will be demonstrated from the workshop exercises. Qualitative Analysis software will also be introduced utilizing forensic data performing manual data analysis, background subtraction, and library searches. 16 laptops with MassHunter software and forensic data will be provided through this hands-on learning workshop. Additional students can be added, if the students provide their own laptops with MassHunter Qual & Quant software already loaded. Forensic data can be loaded the morning of the course.

Intro to Writing Agilent Macros

Josh Williams – Montana State Crime Lab

Attendees will learn the fundamentals of writing an Agilent macro for ChemStation Data Analysis, including variables, commands, functions, troubleshooting, and creating custom printouts.

Sampling in Seized-Drug Laboratories

Dr. Sandra Rodriguez-Cruz – Senior Research Chemist – DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory

This workshop will take participants – both novice and experienced – from fearing the ‘s-word’ to feeling comfortable testifying about and defending laboratory sampling procedures! The full-day agenda is divided into six parts. Part 1 will cover sampling terminology, the different types of samplings applicable to drug laboratories, the benefits and costs of sampling, and a historical perspective of sampling in the DEA laboratory system. In Part 2, the concept of ‘making inferences’ will be examined, along with discussions about confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, confidence level, numerical vs categorical variables, sampling distributions, population evaluations, and statistical vs non-statistical methods. In Part 3 we’ll take a deep dive into the math behind the routinely used sampling tables, including an opportunity for hands-on calculations and use of the ENFSI-DWG Sampling Calculator. Part 4 of the workshop will briefly take participants through SWGDRUG’s Supplemental Document #6 and its associated SWGDRUG SD-6 Sampling Calculator which combines hypergeometric sampling statistics with jurisdictional weight-thresholds scenarios. Part 5 will cover the world of negative results and the options available to analysts when these scenarios are encountered, including use of a new statistical sampling app developed by NIST and Maryland State Police (MSP). To close the day, Part 6 will bring it all together to discuss recommendations for court testimony preparation, potential questions (and answers), useful and relatable analogies, among others. NOTE: Attendees are welcome to bring examples of past casework sampling scenarios and a laptop (if desired) for use during the hands-on exercises.;’

Half Day Workshops

Drawing the Line: Forensic Strategies for Hemp and Marijuana Differentiation

Amanda Andrews – Forensic Continuous Improvement/Technical Manager – NMS Labs

As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to evolve, forensic laboratories face increasing analytical and interpretive challenges in distinguishing hemp from marijuana. This workshop explores the scientific, legal, and practical aspects of cannabinoid analysis within forensic drug chemistry. Participants will examine method development considerations—including sample preparation for various matrices, decision-point versus quantitative approaches, uncertainty of measurement, and handling of cannabinoid conversion issues. Discussion will also address best practices for clear and defensible reporting, courtroom testimony, and strategies to navigate emerging legislative and analytical developments. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in cannabis differentiation and actionable insights to enhance laboratory practices and communication.

Introduction to Accreditation and Quality Investigations for the Working Scientist

Timothy Suggs – Assistant Director/Quality Manager – NC State Crime Lab

This workshop will give an overview of accreditation and quality investigations. A brief overview of the history of accreditation will be presented followed by a review of the two standards currently used to accredit laboratories. The workshop then will dive into quality investigations. The following investigations will be covered: actions taken to address risks or opportunities, complaints, and non-conforming work and corrective actions. Tools used to assist in quality investigations will be covered. Attendees will be given the opportunity to investigate issues encountered in forensic examinations and apply the skills covered in the workshop.

New DNA Technology for 2026 and Beyond

Mandi S. Van Buren – DNA Analyst and QA Analyst Specialist – DNA Labs International

Marybeth Sciarretta – Senior DNA Analyst and QA Manager – DNA Labs International

This workshop will explore the latest advancements in forensic DNA technologies and their transformative impact on evidence interpretation and case outcomes. Emerging and evolving methods – such as fired casing DNA collection and processing, the M-Vac wet-vacuum system, probabilistic genotyping with STRmix^TM, next-generation sequencing (NGS) including SNP to SNP analysis, and forensic investigative genetic genealogy – are redefining what is possible in forensic investigations. Additional topics will include DNA recovery from degraded bones and tissues and kinship applications. Enhancements to bioinformatics pipelines for SNP analysis, laboratory information management systems, and the onset of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist the examiner from a software perspective will be covered.

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of these techniques, including their scientific principles, limitations, and challenges, as well as their advantages, successes, and courtroom admissibility. Real-world case studies will illustrate how these technologies have been effectively applied. The workshop will also highlight how recent innovations enable the re-examination of previously tested or inconclusive evidence, offering new opportunities for resolution in cold and complex cases.

From Seizure to Insight: A Story of Implementation and Training of the RADIAN ASAP

Ciara Pitman, Ph.D. – Clinical and Forensic Account Manager – Waters

Improving screening for seized drugs and the need to monitor drug trafficking is a continuous global effort. It is crucial to implement best practices to conduct thorough screenings and to ensure timely results for public safety. Partnered with the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), the Colombo Project sponsored a mission to equip laboratories with the tools and training to detect illicit drugs quickly and accurately with a focus on spotting new and emerging substances. With the CFSRE, scientists from Waters assisted in the education and training of utilizing the RADIAN ASAP for presumptive screening of seized drugs.

Rapid Direct Analysis Atmospheric Pressure Solids Analysis Probe (RADIAN™ ASAP) Mass Spectrometry, a class B SWGDRUG technique, provides rapid analysis of substances present in seized drug samples. The RADIAN™ ASAP is an ambient ionization technique which is entails little to no sample preparation to analyze the sample. With this ionization technique, seized samples can be prepared, detected, and identified within minutes. Samples in either solid or liquid form are diluted in a suitable solvent and introduced into the instrument via a glass capillary rod where they are simultaneously ionized at 4 cone voltage to yield immediate M+H data for review. This workshop aims to discuss the training conducted on the RADIAN, how ambient ionization is used for the analysis of seized drugs, and some of the global success stories behind the training.

Building Emotional Resiliency for Forensic Professionals: Thriving in High-Stress Environments

Jennifer Dillon – Wellness & Resiliency Section Commander – Michigan State Police

Forensic professionals operate in high-stakes environments where exposure to trauma, ethical complexity, and emotional intensity is routine. This workshop explores the critical role of emotional resiliency in sustaining well-being and professional effectiveness in such demanding settings. Participants will gain foundational knowledge in emotional literacy – learning to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotional responses as well as those of others. We will examine the concept of emotional labor – the often-invisible effort required to regulate emotions in service of professional roles, and its cumulative impact.

The session will also address the warning signs and consequences of burnout and compassion fatigue, offering practical strategies for prevention and recovery. Importantly, we will highlight the concept of compassion satisfaction – the fulfillment derived from helping others, and how to cultivate it as a protective factor against stress. Through interactive discussions, reflective exercises, and evidence-based tools, this workshop empowers forensic professionals to build resilience, enhance emotional well-being, and foster a healthier workplace culture.

Strengthening Resilience Through Constructive Feedback and Healthy Boundaries

Jennifer Dillon – Wellness & Resiliency Section Commander – Michigan State Police

Forensic professionals are continually exposed to feedback, whether through performance evaluations, peer reviews, or technical assessments of proficiency. While this feedback is essential for maintaining quality and accountability, it can also be emotionally taxing without the tools to process and respond constructively. The ability to set and communicate healthy boundaries is a complementary practice that fosters the psychological safety needed to receive feedback openly and effectively.

This interactive workshop explores how feedback practices and boundary-setting are mutually reinforcing skills that support professional growth, emotional resilience, and healthy team dynamics. Participants will examine the critical role feedback plays in the forensic workplaces, exploring various types, delivery formats, and evidence-based models that promote constructive communication. The session will also address common barriers to receiving feedback, including emotional triggers, and offer strategies to navigate them with self-awareness and professionalism.

In parallel, participants will gain clarity on the concept of boundaries: what they are, what they are not, and how personal values inform appropriate boundary-setting. Through guided exercises and real-world scenarios, attendees will practice communicating boundaries respectfully and effectively, while also developing skills to recognize and honor the boundaries of others.

By integrating these two essential tools, forensic professionals can build more resilient teams, reduce burnout, and foster a culture of mutual respect and accountability.

Automated DNA Extraction Strategies for Sexual Assault and Missing Persons Casework

Sarah Rosenstein – HID Application and Validation Specialist – QIAGEN

Josh Abernathy – HID Senior Technical Sales Manager – QIAGEN

Forensic laboratories are increasingly challenged by complex sample types encountered in both sexual assault and missing persons investigations, where low DNA quantity, degradation, and PCR inhibitors can significantly impact downstream analytical success. This workshop highlights the versatility of the EZ2 Connect Fx automated extraction platform and its role in supporting robust and reliable DNA workflows across diverse forensic applications.

Part 1: Automated DNA Purification Strategies for Complex Forensic Samples Part 1 of the workshop will focus on recently implemented EZ2 Connect Fx workflows supported by the DNA Investigator portfolio. This includes the EZ2 DNA Investigator Sep&Prep protocol for automated differential extraction of sexual assault evidence, as well as the DNA Investigator Bone Extra Large Volume and Fired Cartridge Casings (FCC) workflows for challenging skeletal and ballistic samples. Attendees will gain practical insight into how protocol design, chemistry, and automation work together to support effective inhibitor removal and consistent DNA purification, enabling reliable downstream STR and NGS analysis.

Part 2: Integrated SNP-NGS Strategies for Identification of Highly Degraded Human Remains Part 2 will present a real-world pilot study from a World War II Missing Persons project conducted in Greece, involving highly compromised skeletal remains. This case study will walk through an integrated QIAGEN workflow incorporating EZ2 Connect Fx extraction, library quality assessment using QIAxcel, and SNP-based analysis on the MiSeq FGx using the ForenSeq Kintelligence workflow. Results from this pilot demonstrate how optimized purification and quality control can enable SNP-NGS analysis in cases where conventional STR-CE methods yield partial or no profiles, supporting extended kinship analysis and identification efforts in historical and missing persons investigations. This workshop is intended for forensic practitioners seeking applied guidance on implementing adaptable extraction strategies, understanding purification performance, and evaluating integrated workflows that expand investigative potential in both sexual assault and missing persons casework.

Biology – TBA – BODE

Biology – Human Factors Report (Title TBA) – NIST

Steady on the Stand – Effective Expert Testimony

Lindsay Garner – Senior Managing Attorney – Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Laura McDonald – Legal Director – Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Navigating the courtroom for the first time or the fiftieth time? Testifying as an expert in a trial or Daubert hearing? This interactive workshop is for you.

Testifying demands preparation and the ability to hold steady under pressure. This four-hour, practitioner-focused attorney-led workshop is designed to help forensic scientists testify effectively in the courtroom. Emphasis is placed on practical preparation for testimony, maintaining professionalism, protecting scientific integrity, and common defense strategies and courtroom challenges including proven techniques for answering difficult questions. Participants should be prepared to interact in mock scenarios to observe and practice effective testimony techniques, identify common pitfalls, and learn strategies for working productively with attorneys before and during trial. Designed for working forensic practitioners, this session provides practical tips, lessons learned, and actionable guidance to help experts testify clearly and earn credibility in the courtroom.