2009 Trace Evidence Symposium: Call for Abstracts

The nature of trace, or “transfer,” evidence is highly variable, and trace evidence can be found at nearly every crime or accident scene. Trace evidence is considered one of the most diverse of the forensic disciplines because it can include the analysis of hair, fiber, paint, glass, dirt/dust, botanical material, arson/fire debris, explosives, and/or impression evidence. While trace evidence is rarely the only evidence available in an investigation, identifying the origin of foreign material found at a crime scene and/or linking such material with that from different locations can be a powerful evidentiary finding.

Recognizing the important impact that trace evidence has on criminal investigations and, ultimately, on our system of justice, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory Division are cosponsoring a Trace Evidence Symposium to be held August 2-7, 2009, in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The theme of the 2009 Symposium will be “Interpretation of Trace Evidence.”

To enhance the inclusion of research and casework being conducted in the field of trace evidence, the NIJ and the FBI Laboratory Division announce a call for abstracts for presentation at the symposium. Suggested topics include (in no particular order):

  • Automotive paints
  • Tape products
  • Adhesives
  • Pollens
  • New trends/information on traditional topics such as fibers, hair, paint, glass
  • Physical matches of atypical materials such as soft plastics
  • Unknown substance analysis
  • Likelihood / significance of a class association of trace evidence
  • Case Studies

Abstracts must be received by 5:00 PM EST on October 15, 2008 and submitted via this on-line submission form. An abbreviated abstract that is a maximum of two double-spaced pages is required to be considered for presentation at the 2009 Trace Evidence Symposium. All abstracts submitted that meet the submission criteria will undergo a peer-review process. Recognizing that information is sometimes more suitable for a poster versus an oral presentation, you will be given the option to select which format you prefer. However, given the limited space available for oral presentations on the symposium agenda, your preferred presentation format can not be guaranteed. Therefore, accepted submissions which have indicated a preference for oral presentation may be offered the opportunity to present their information as a poster. Notifications for accepted papers will be delivered no later than December 31, 2008. Once an abbreviated abstract has been accepted (for poster or oral presentation), an extended abstract must be submitted no later than April 1, 2009. Extended abstracts will be published in the symposium program and should be no longer than five double-spaced pages (not including images, graphics, tables, graphs, etc.). Upon acceptance, all expenses for one presenter will be paid regardless of the number of authors contributing to a paper. Federal employees who are accepted to present must pay their own expenses. It should be noted that if you accept the invitation to make an oral presentation, you will not be required to present a poster.

 

The Call for Abstracts form has closed. Thank you for your interest,
and we look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Trace Evidence Symposium.

 

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