Horizon Newsletter – February 2025
Laboratory Leadership at AAFS Documentary standards play a critical role in ensuring consistency, quality, and credibility in forensic science. Hosted in collaboration with Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, our Deep-Dive session at AAFS will explore the importance of standards development, how the process works, and the benefits of becoming actively involved. Attendees will gain insights into how contributing to standards development can enhance analytical and problem-solving skills, strengthen leadership abilities, and provide opportunities for professional growth. The session will also highlight how this work supports the broader forensic community by promoting scientifically sound practices and advancing the field. View the full Horizon newsletter … MORE
Abstract: The generation of forensic DNA profiles consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now being facilitated by wider adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods in casework laboratories. At the same time, and in part because of this advance, there … MORE
January 29, 2025 • A press release issued by LMI Group International, Inc. detailed the conclusion of multi-year, interdisciplinary investigation to authenticate a painting and attribute it to the artist, Vincent van Gogh. The investigation combined traditional authentication and innovative scientific methods. During … MORE
An Investigation of Downstream Processing Methods for Challenging Skeletal Samples
Abstract: While skeletal remains are known for their resilience and often serve as the final source of information for unidentified human remains (UHRs), the traditional downstream processing of these samples is challenging due to their low template nature, DNA degradation, and … MORE
HORIZON Newsletter – November 2024
Sample mixtures and the ability to deconvolute SNP profiles present a challenge for investigations using FGG. These mixtures are common in forensics, however, database search algorithms utilized for FGG only accommodate single-source SNP profiles. To address this gap, NBFAC and Signature Science have collaborated to implement a workflow which enables the analysis of ForenSeq® Kintelligence SNP genotyping results from two-person mixtures and directs deconvolution of the profiles in EuroForMix (EFM). The team then developed MixDeR, which allows streamlined analysis and filters the EFM outputs to produce inferred single-source genotypes in reports formatted for use with GEDmatch® PRO. Our team has performed … MORE
PLANES: Plausibility Analysis of Epidemiological Signals
Abstract: Methods for reviewing epidemiological signals are necessary to building and maintaining data-driven public health capabilities. We have developed a novel approach for assessing the plausibility of infectious disease forecasts and surveillance data. The PLANES (PLausibility ANalysis of Epidemiological Signals) methodology is designed to … MORE
An Interview with Friends who Found Each Other Through Forensic Science
In October, we sat down with Natalie Collins, Belinda Reyes, and Samantha Guigliemi, analysts in our Forensic Laboratory in Austin, TX. These three share a close friendship that has flourished in their time a Signature Science. We wanted to get … MORE
IARPA Awards Signature Science $3.8M for Phase 2 of TEI-REX Program
Signature Science will optimize the performance of its novel biodosimetry approach developed in Phase 1 AUSTIN, TEXAS – September 3, 2024 – The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has selected the team led by Signature Science to advance to Phase … MORE
SigSci will use proprietary sample preparation technology and proven workflows to detect unknown RNA and DNA viruses simultaneously. AUSTIN, TEXAS — August 27, 2024 — In the wake of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, public health officials have made it a priority … MORE
MixDeR: A SNP Mixture Deconvolution Workflow for Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Abstract: The generation of forensic DNA profiles consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now being facilitated by wider adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods in casework laboratories. At the same time, and in part because of this advance, there is … MORE
HORIZON Newsletter – August 2024
How are the words we use when delivering expert witness testimony understood by the average member of a jury? What impact might television shows depicting the criminal justice system and 24/7 access to news reporting have on the average jury … MORE