18^th International Symposium on Human Identification

HITA/AABB Workshop: Immigration DNA Profiling Issues
The use of DNA testing is becoming more common to support immigration into the United States and guard against fraud. Operational challenges have occurred with the increase in this type of testing. Representatives from paternity testing laboratories, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security and immigration law will discuss the current issues surrounding DNA testing associated with immigrants. These issues will be relevant to all laboratories and agencies involved in biological relationship testing.

This pre-symposium workshop is offerred free of charge at the 18th International Symposium on Human Identification in Hollywood, CA. Questions about the workshop may be directed to HITA at .

When: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel – Hollywood, CA USA

Objectives: After attending the HITA/AABB Workshop participants will be able to:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in immigration DNA testing.
Define at least 4-5 operational challenges associated with DNA testing of immigrants.
Identify and implement solutions for overcoming the identified challenges for sample collection and the processing and reporting of immigration DNA cases.

Time	Topic	Speaker
1:00 – 1:15	Welcome and Introductions	Mike Baird DNA Diagnostics Center
1:15 - 1:45	Legal and Practical Issues Associated with DNA Testing for Immigration	Michael S. Epstein Immigration Law Office of Michael S. Epstein
1:45 – 2:15	Fraud Identification and Prevention in Overseas Cases	Jill Nystrom Department of State Office of Fraud Prevention
2:15 – 2:45	Fraud Identification and Prevention – Guidelines, Limitations and Investigative Approaches	James Richard Helm U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, CIS
2:45 – 3:00	BREAK
3:00 – 3:30	Laboratory Challenges	Anthony Carter Reliagene Technologies, Inc.
3:30 – 4:00	Sibship Testing	Mike Baird DNA Diagnostics Center
4:00 – 4:45	OPEN FORUM FOR DISCUSSION	Amanda Sozer (Facilitator) Sozer, Niezgoda and Associates, LLC
4:45 – 5:00	CLOSING REMARKS	Mike Baird DNA Diagnostics Center