13th ISABS Conference a Huge Success

The 13th International Society for Applied Biological Sciences (ISABS) Conference on Applied Genetics and Mayo Clinic Lectures in Translational Medicine, co-organized by the Mayo Clinic, ISABS, and St. Catherine Hospital and traditionally supported by the American Academy for Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the Croatian Medical Chamber, the University of Split, and the Croatian Tourist Board, took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the City of Split from June 17 to June 20, 2024. 

During the opening ceremony, AAFS President Christopher Thompson, MD, highlighted the strong connection and collaboration between AAFS and ISABS. He also emphasized the traditional workshop, Phil Spector Case - Forensic Key in Spector Trial, led by AAFS fellows Professor Henry C. Lee and Professor Dragan Primorac, as well as by AAFS member Andrea Ledić and ISABS fellow Prof. Šimun Anđelinović. Dr. Thompson also discussed the importance of physicians', other researchers', and forensic scientists' participation in educating policymakers about the implementation and use of new technologies. In illustration of that point, several important Croatian officials (e.g., Gordan Jandroković, the Speaker of Parliament, Tonči Glavina, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Prof. Ivica Puljak, the Mayor of Split, the Rector of Split University Prof. Dragan Ljutić) attended the opening ceremony, and some addressed that very issue in their remarks. In his opening remarks, Dragan Primorac, AAFS Fellow and the ISABS President, underlined that collaboration between AAFS and ISABS for years is opening new horizons in the context of forensic science education and the fight against crime and strengthening national security, especially through cooperation with the United States.

The 13th ISABS Conference on Applied Genetics and Mayo Clinic Lectures in Translational Medicine aimed to gather 55 top scientists from the most prominent fields of modern medicine, forensics, and anthropology. These included genomic medicine, forensic and anthropological genetics, regenerative medicine and stem cell research, artificial intelligence and its integration into clinical practice, immunotherapy, and more. 

Following the opening ceremony, the engaging program continued with outstanding lectures, including those from Nobel Prize Laureates Professors Gregg Semenza, Richard Roberts, and Svante Paabo. A special forensic session was also featured, and it was dedicated to the late Prof. Moses Schanfield, PhD, AAFS Fellow and co-founder of ISABS, who contributed to identifying skeletal remains from mass graves in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The session was led by Prof. Henry Lee and Prof. Damir Marjanović, director of the Institute for Anthropological Research. Dr. Walter Parson, as the first speaker, provided a chronological review of significant discoveries in forensic genetics, including the analysis of mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the Romanov family. Prof. Bruce Budowle followed with a lecture on forensic tools and databases used to track crime suspects, sharing intriguing cases of murderer identifications across the United States. The session continued with a lecture by Prof. Mitchell Holland, who discussed the sequencing of entire mitogenomes and the latest high-precision, rapid technologies enabling this process. Dr. Susan Walsh demonstrated how much information about human phenotype, specifically facial appearance, can be predicted from DNA, showcasing intriguing results of facial reconstruction. Dr. Eskeatnaf Mulugeta followed with a lecture on the future of crime investigation in the era of single-cell omics methods, highlighting their wide-ranging applications from gender determination and individual identification to phenotype prediction. Prof. Frederick Bieber concluded the session with a video-linked presentation from the United States, addressing the challenges of using DNA as evidence in forensic expert testimonies. He referenced the case of the well-known company 23andMe®, which faced a court process after a hacker attack that exposed personal data of nearly seven million users. At the very end of the session, Prof. Antti Sajantila delivered a lecture on the link between forensic virology and archaeovirology, emphasizing that viral DNA can reveal the geolocation of the host, both in the present and historically. Prof. Henry Lee concluded the session with a captivating lecture on the use and misuse of genetic evidence in criminal investigations. He discussed the challenges faced by forensic investigators in the past and highlighted those that lie ahead.

The conference was structured around a robust program that included four full days of lectures, three Nobel lectures, four satellite symposia, two workshops, four book promotions, and exceptional social events such as the Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner. (The Gala Dinner was held in a stunning venue, the Meštrovic Gallery and, via an awards ceremony, highlighted the exceptional potential and early contributions of young forensic scientists. It also featured a surprise appearance by former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov.) This allowed for maximum knowledge dissemination and networking opportunities to foster education and future scientific collaboration and provided the opportunity for attendees to learn from some of the most distinguished scientists in the world. The organizers are especially proud of another successful iteration of the iconic Nobel Spirit televised show. Nobel Spirit involved a moderated discussion between our three Nobel Laureates and Prof. Dragan Primorac, allowing them to share their stories and experiences on the path of excellence.

As part of the 13th ISABS Conference, a traditional workshop for forensic and legal sciences students was held on Friday, June 21, 2024. Led by experts and under the guidance of Prof. Henry Lee and Prof. Dragan Primorac, the workshop was organized in collaboration with the Henry Lee Institute of Forensic Sciences, ISABS, AAFS, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia, the Faculty of Law of the University of Split, and the University Department of Forensic Sciences from the University of Split. This year's workshop, titled Phil Spector Case — Forensics Key in Spector Trial, featured an on-site reconstruction of the events surrounding the murder of Lana Clarkson, with a focus on the key evidence in the case. This high-profile case attracted significant public attention in the United States and highlighted the crucial role forensic experts play in establishing key facts during court proceedings.

Over 200 participants gathered at the University of Split's Faculty of Law main amphitheater for this event. At the start of the workshop, Prof. Henry Lee outlined the main steps for analyzing a crime scene involving a gunshot victim. He then delved into the Phil Spector case, covering everything from crime scene analysis to court presentation of evidence, and highlighted the key facts. Following Prof. Lee's presentation, a crime scene specialist from the Ministry of Interior demonstrated the steps in crime scene analysis and evidence collection using a reconstructed crime scene from the Phil Spector case. Various forensic experts provided insights into special techniques for evidence collection and analysis in the laboratory, emphasizing the important role of ballistics, dactyloscopy, and DNA evidence. After the demonstration, students had the opportunity to examine the crime scene and the entire case, writing down questions they wanted answered during the mock trial. The workshop concluded with a full court procedure demonstration, involving a judge, lawyers, and forensic experts. During the mock trial, the prosecution and defense teams clashed, questioning forensic experts on the stand. Students were also allowed to ask questions, with the most intriguing and insightful questions receiving rewards.

The workshop, which demonstrated the entire process from crime scene analysis to sentencing, provided students with an excellent introduction to their future roles as forensic scientists, court experts, lawyers, or judges and offered invaluable experience for their education.

The series of such workshops organized as a part of the ISABS Conference have proved their unmeasured value in educating students and young people and preparing them for future endeavors in their respective fields. The workshop was a tremendous success, and the participants are eagerly anticipating the next event in this exciting series.