View our digital brochure and share with colleagues to spread the word about HIDS Rome.
It includes helpful links and insights about the HIDS event and access to a range of forensics and human identification resources.
Thank you for your interest in attending HIDS Rome. Registration is now closed for this year's event, but keep checking for news and content following the event.
On occasion, we have some last minute cancellations. If you are still interested in attending HIDS Rome, please contact us at HIDSquestion@thermofisher.com and we’ll confirm your registration if any seats become available.
If you have already registered, download the app for Apple iOS or Google Android to make sure you don't miss any HIDS Rome news.
You can also find a host of useful articles and interviews with previous HIDS speakers at our Behind the Bench blog.
The theme of this year's event is 'Seeking Answers, Solving Crime' and it will once again provide a unique opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders and explore the latest innovation in forensic science.
We are pleased to announce that IntegenX will be present at HIDS Rome. Thermo Fisher Scientific has acquired IntegenX Inc., which provides a rapid DNA platform for use in forensics and law enforcement applications. IntegenX RapidHIT products will enhance our integrated human identification solutions portfolio that you use every day.
Our full agenda is now available to view below. Please note that this agenda is being continually enhanced to ensure you can get the most out of this unmissable event, and so is subject to change.
8:00–9:30 | Registration and coffee, exhibition opening | |
9:30–10:30 | Welcome and keynote presentation | |
09:30 | Welcome and introduction | John Lesica, Vice President, Life Sciences Group EMEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific |
09:40 | The world leader in serving science | Daniele Galli, Country Commercial Leader, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Italy |
09:50 | Integrated human identification solutions | Rosy Lee, Vice President, Human Identification, Thermo Fisher Scientific, US |
10:00 | Keynote presentation: Latest perspectives on the use of DNA in forensics | TBC |
10:30–11:00 | Coffee break and networking | |
Breakout presentation: Collection systems for forensic analysis | COPAN | |
11:00–12:30 | Use of DNA databases in forensic cases | Peter Schneider, University of Cologne, Germany (Chair) |
11:00 | Title pending | Gianpietro Lago, Parma, Italy |
11:20 | The organisation of the Central Lab of the Italian DNA Database (provisional title) | (Speaker TBC), Banca Dati Nazionale del DNA, Italia, Roma |
11:40 | DNA analysis and the role it plays in missing persons investigations in Victoria, Australia | Dadna Hartman, Victoria Police, Australia |
12:00 | Establishing Japanese Population Database using Ancestry SNPs and Mito Whole Genome Sequencing | Masaki Hashiyada, Kansai Medical University, Japan |
12:30–14:00 | Lunch break and networking | |
Breakout presentation: The world of augmented identity | IDEMIA | |
Breakout presentation: Separation and analysis of complex crime scene samples | Menarini Silicon Biosystems | |
14:00–15:00 | Casework experiences from across the globe | Ingo Bastisch, BKA, Germany (Chair) |
14.00 | Routine analysis of challenging casework cases | Zhang Guangfeng, IFS, MPS, China |
14:20 | Using the Applied Biosystems™ NGM Detect™ kit in forensic samples | Venusia Cortellini, UOC Medicina Legale, Universita degli Studi, Brescia |
14:40 | Probabilistic Genotyping (provisional title) | Paolo Garofano, Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano, Torino, Italy |
15.00 | DNA tests incriminate 'The ripper of Majadahonda' (Madrid) | Gonzalo Duran, Guardia Civil Madrid, Spain |
15:20–16:20 | Casework experiences from across the globe | Chair TBC |
15:20 | At the crossroad of qRT-PCR: looking for a true zero threshold with the Applied Biosystems™ Quantifiler™ | Maristella Santoro/Emanuela Cipolletta, Polizia Roma, Italy |
15:40 | Detection of biological material and integration into casework workflow “how to get research implemented into casework” | Rachel Fleming, ESR - Forensic Science, New Zealand |
16.00 | Sexual assault kits in America: experiences of a forensic laboratory deluged with sexual assault kits | Mike Cariola, Bode Cellmark Forensics, US |
16:20–16:50 | Coffee break and networking | |
Breakout presentation: Automation in the forensic genetics laboratory | Hamilton | |
16:50–18:00 | Adoption of new forensic DNA technologies | Niels Morling, DFI, Denmark (Chair) |
16:50 | Detection and DNA profiling of Latent DNA | Adrian Linacre, Flinders University, Australia |
17:10 | Comparison of DNA stability using various sample collection devices | Seiki Nakao, Oita Prefectural Police, Japan |
17:30 | The application of NGS and CE systems in identification of human remains from rebels’ graves found in Gediminas Hill: the Lithuanian historical mystery since 1863 year | Marija Caplinskiene, State Forensic Medicine Service, Vilnius, Lithuania |
18:10–19:30 | Free time, posters, exhibition | |
19:30–22:30 | Annual HIDS conference dinner and party |
8:00–8:45 | Gordon Thomas Honeywell Prize to Best Database Hit of the Year 2018 | Tim Schellberg, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, US |
8:45–10:15 | Application of HID NGS solutions in routine forensic analysis | Chris Philips, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain (Chair) |
08:45 | Current state of the art of STR NGS sequencing in forensic genetics | Antonio Alonso, Instituto Nacional de Toxicologia, Madrid, Spain |
09:05 | The DNASeqEx Project: Exploring STR Sequencing and Global Exchange | Petra Müeller, Medical University of lnnsbruck, Austria |
09:15 | Using MPS to extend potential of predictive DNA analysis in forensics | Ewelina Pośpeich, Jagiellonian University, Poland |
09:35 | Automation of the Precision ID NGS system for routine use | Franck Jaffrédo, IGNA, France |
09:55 | Evaluation of the Applied Biosystems™ Precision ID GlobalFiler™ NGS STR Panel v2 | Tim Kupferschmid, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, New York City, US |
10:15 | Forensic genomics and the new serology: a marriage of convenience | Jack Ballantyne, University of Central Florida, US |
10:35–11:00 | Coffee break and networking | |
Regional breakout sessions | Thermo Fisher Scientific | |
11:10–12:30 | Application of HID NGS solutions in routine forensic analysis | Runa Daniel, Victoria Police, Australia (Chair) |
11:10 | Implementing an MPS mtGenome Panel into casework in a Missing Persons DNA Program | Daniela Cuenca, California Dept of Justice, US |
11:30 | NGS assays in forensic genetic casework: Past experiences and what is next | Claus Boersting, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark |
11:50 | A forensic genetics intelligence service for Australia | Dennis McNevin, University of Canberra, Australia |
12:10 | Preliminary validation study of the Applied Biosystems™ Precision ID Globalfiler NGS STR Panel | Christian Faccinetto/Chiara Cerioni, Parma, Italy |
12:30–13:35 | Application of HID NGS solutions in routine forensic analysis | Daniele Podini, Dept of Forensic Sciences, George Washington University, US (Chair) |
12:30 | Development of an ancestry-informative panel for the Asia Pacific region | Runa Daniel, Victoria Police, Australia |
12:50 | Application of the Applied Biosytems™ Precision ID GlobalFiler™ NGS STR Panel v2 | Jennifer Churchill, University of North Texas, US |
13:10–13:30 | Final keynote presentation | |
13:10 | The future of direct amplification: faster, cheaper, and more sensitive | Carl Mayers, DSTL, UK |
13:30 | Final remarks and event closing | Paolo Concio, Director, EMEA Human Identification, Thermo Fisher Scientific |
13:45–15:00 | Lunch and networking |
This fourth annual HIDS Conference will again promote and facilitate the crucial exchange of ideas which is vital for the evolution of forensic science. Plenary and breakout sessions will provide the opportunity to interact with presenters and delegates alike and, as we experienced at HIDS Vienna in May 2017, the HIDS App will make these exchanges even easier.
It is only through the sharing of knowledge within our community that we will be able to take further strides towards our shared vision of making the world a safer place. For this purpose we will facilitate networking among labs, territories and jobs, and maximise the value of HIDS Rome to our delegates. Make sure you pick your preferred networking topics when registering to attend the conference.
Networking topics include:
It includes helpful links and insights about the HIDS event and access to a range of forensics and human identification resources.
Keep up to date with the latest HIDS news and agenda items, and access plenty of human identification resources, with our HIDS Rome app.
Download now by searching 'Thermo Fisher Scientific HIDS' on your device app store or via the links below.
HIDS Rome will host the unveiling of the 2nd DNA Database Hit of the Year Award. If you have cases that fit the award criteria don’t hesitate to submit them via the Gordon Thomas Honeywell website.
You can watch video highlights from HIDS Vienna (2017) and HIDS Barcelona (2016) below.