Upcoming

DNA IN FORENSICS 2012 Exploring the phylogenies

8th International Y Chromosome User Workshop 5th International EMPOP Meeting

Innsbruck, September 06-08, 2012 The tradition of “Haploid DNA Markers in Forensic Genetics” started with the “First Y-Chromosome User Workshop” in Berlin in 1996. In 2004, Berlin was again host for the first joint meeting between Y-Chromosome (YHRD) and mtDNA (EMPOP). Two years later we introduced the concept of “DNA in Forensics” in Innsbruck and it is Innsbruck again where we kindly invite you to “DNA in Forensics 2012”. Our intention to hold a meeting depends on the scientific necessity to convene rather than following a strictly periodical schedule, although the past decade has seen our workshops in biannual rhythm. MtDNA and Y-Chromosome are among the leading topics in the past years summaries of forensic genetic journals and it is this research activity that dictates our efforts to reconvene. Our past meeting in 2010 was inspired by the discussion of biostatistics with haploid markers that resulted in a dedicated contribution “Haploid Markers in Forensic Genetics” in Forensic Science International Genetics (Vol 5, Issue 2). The motto of the upcoming meeting is “Exploring the Phylogenies”. Haploid markers are inherited along a phylogeny and leave genetic footprints in modern populations. The incisiveness of the picture depends on the history of these populations. Forensic scientists are taking advantage of the derived patterns in their daily work, e.g. by assigning geographical landscapes to lineages or by performing quality control of datasets. Our database projects YHRD and EMPOP are currently preparing for new releases that help the scientist and practitioner to better understand and employ the underlying phylogenetic principles. We are looking forward to our meeting in Innsbruck; we hope to see you there! Sincerely, Walther Parson and Lutz Roewer