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2024 Agenda & Speakers
Tuesday, March 19th
8:00AM - 10:00AM
8:00AM - 11:00AM
10:00AM - 11:00AM
11:00AM - 12:00PM
12:00PM - 2:00PM
12:00PM - 5:00PM
2:00PM - 3:00PM
3:00PM - 4:00PM
4:00PM - 5:00PM
Property and Evidence Room Procedures - 101 on evidence dispositions, retention, and audits/inventories.
Jen Goad - Property & Evidence Specialist - Duluth Police Department
Evidentiary Photography for Image Clarification - (BREAKOUT) - This session will start with a brief overview of camera basics and then quickly jump into hands-on camera exercises. Students will capture a variety of scene/scenario-related images as well as macro-examination quality images while exercising a “proactive approach” for the post-processing clarification steps that can later be applied. The images captured in this workshop will be used for the image clarification exercises in the Forensic Image Clarification Workshop offered in the afternoon session. There is no requirement to attend the additional workshop to participate in this breakout. - Instructors: Brooke Brodzeller / Aaron Matson
Students will need:
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with normal and macro capabilities
Extra Batteries
Camera storage media (e.g. CF/SD cards) with adequate storage capacity
Card reader or cable for camera (if attending the Forensic Image Clarification Workshop)
Shutter release cable, remote or camera self-timer option.
Tripod or camera stabilizer
Light Source (flashlight, flood light, flash unit)
WSCL Firearms Destruction - Everything you need to know about the processes and
what to expect during the firearms destruction process through the State Crime Labs.
Audrey Marcott – Senior Evidence Specialist (WSCL – Madison)
Lunch - Provided
Crime Scene Reconstruction - How to utilize forensic mapping tools during the evidence documentation process to complete a professional scene reconstruction. Case discussions explaining the collection process, forensic data workflows, and reconstruction deliverables. - Justin Bender
Forensic Image Clarification (BREAKOUT) - This session will introduce students to the fundamentals of Forensic Image Clarification with a mix of lecture and hands-on exercises. Students will learn best practices in a non-destructive image processing workflow, how to scale images 1:1, and how to maximize the visual information that is often hidden your digital images. Students will need to bring a laptop with Photoshop preinstalled (link below) and will use provided sample images or their own images captured during the Evidentiary Photography for Image Clarification Workshop from the morning session. There is no requirement to attend the additional workshop to participate in this workshop. - Instructors: Brooke Brodzeller / Aaron Matson
Students will need:
Laptop (and power source) with Photoshop pre-installed (7 day FREE trial available here)
Mouse
Card reader or camera cable (if using your own images from the Evidentiary Photography for Image Clarification Workshop)
Digital Forensic Examination - What happens to electronic evidence once it is signed out to DCI.
Craig Mantzke – Senior Digital Evidence Specialist (DCI - Appleton)
Property Room Layout/Design - Holly Maas
P&E Forum – Q&A - Property & Evidence Committee
Wednesday, March 20th
6:30AM
8:00AM - 8:30AM
8:30AM - 10:00AM
10:00AM - 10:15AM
10:15AM - 12:00PM
12:00PM - 1:00PM
1:00PM - 2:30PM
2:30PM - 2:45PM
2:45PM - 4:45PM
7:00PM
Registration Opens
Opening Ceremonies for WAI Conference 2024
Genealogy -1986 Lisa Holstead Homicide Investigation – A case analysis of using investigative genealogy to solve a 34-year-old homicide. Detective Dave Graf – Green Bay Police Department
Break
Human Trafficking: The Complex Conviction - This presentation highlights the complex nature of human trafficking crimes, often involving force, fraud, coercion and the intricate networks that make gathering evidence a challenging task. Human Trafficking requires a collaborative approach between law enforcement agencies, victims, and victim service providers, to overcome challenges in the prosecution of human trafficking cases and provide justice for survivors. Special Agent Brian Trowbridge and Special Agent Debbie Leque-DCI
Lunch - Provided
Cracking The Case With Data – When you have nothing, you have data! This presentation reviews three different cases (Home Invasion, Homicide & ATM Burglary) in which investigators had no evidence at the onset but were able to solve the crimes using historical call detail and specialized location records from cellular service providers. You
wouldn't forget to search a crime scene, don't forget to search your digital crime scene either.
Detective Martin Keck – Wauwatosa Police Department
Break
What's New in Forensic Mapping - Why do you need more than just photographs to document your crime scene? This presentation will focus on the importance of forensic mapping and the tools needed to complete proper scene documentation. Presenters will discuss the evolution of forensic mapping up to modern-day techniques, as well as the ongoing development in technology. Attendees will learn about the many forensic mapping methods and their differences including hand measurements, total station mapping, global navigation satellite system mapping, laser scanning point clouds, and photogrammetry point clouds from drone mapping. Reconstruction of crime scenes can only come from accurate data. This presentation will cover the dangers of using Aerial maps, ortho photographs, and unverified mapping data in your analysis. Lastly covered: Should your agency purchase mapping equipment? Who can perform forensic mapping for your agency?
Are there certifications required to conduct a mapping project or analysis? - Thomas Erdmann and Michael Marquardt – Seiler Public Safety
Networking
Thursday, March 21st - Breakouts
8:00AM - 9:45AM - Repeated - 10:15AM - 12:00PM
Collecting Case Elimination - Learn the various ways to collect eliminations for finger and palm prints, shoe prints and impressions and DNA
Retired Dan Feucht and Forensic Evidence Specialist Falynne Gerisch
Fire Scene Preservation and Considerations for a Fire Scene Examination - Discussion on how best to preserve the fire scene from the time of the initial response through fire suppression in preparation for an investigation. Considerations for what to look for during an initial assessment and when to call upon additional resources. Discussion of standards and qualifications for fire investigators, legal considerations, scene preservation and evidence collection, contamination considerations, spoliation, and best practices observed in the field. Lastly, an overview of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the assistance that can be offered to local law enforcement and fire departments across the state.
Special Agent Tiffany Ince – DOJ
Create Connections: Grant Writing and Problem Solving - Good grant applications start with a solid problem statement. This session will explore techniques for finding grants, with a focus on making the connection between the problem to be solved and the right funding source. Attend the workshop to learn the key components of effective grant writing and obtain valuable insights into what funders are looking for in your applications.
Rebecca (Beckie) Murdock - Deputy Director at the Center for Innovative Change
Detect More Evidence: Extend Your Search Beyond The Visible - Various types of evidence are often overlooked at a crime scene because they are not visible to the naked eye. When using an alternate light source with the proper corresponding filter, it is still possible to miss items of evidence due to background interference or improper angle of illumination. The purpose of this lecture will be to introduce attendees to various methods utilized in detecting evidence beyond the visible range. An introduction to light theory and techniques utilizing wavelengths of light beyond the visible range on notoriously difficult surfaces will be discussed. This will include ultra-violet and infrared examination to detect the presence of biological fluids and gunshot residue. Novel oblique lighting techniques will be explored to detect evidence on raised surfaces and footwear impressions. Bandpass filtering techniques will also be explored to aid in the detection of evidence at crime scenes.
Nathan Carey – Foster and Freeman
Firearm Cases – Do’s And Don’ts/Safety/Handling/Processing - “Best Practices,” for processing firearms as evidence of a crime, as well as, current trends in firearm crimes, to include how federal firearm cases are built. Presenters will also talk about NIBIN, what it is, why it’s important and how it helps solve crimes.
ATF Special Agent Brad Kurtzweil and Intelligence Research Specialist Darlene Macy
Human Vs. Animal Bone - Work hands on with an anthropology professor to identify the various differences between animal and human bones.
Learn what to look for in each type.
Visiting Assistant Professor Dan Proctor- Lawrence University
Cellphones In Investigations 101 - This session will provide a general overview of data contained within cell phones and the importance of
properly seizing devices. Cell phones not only store lots of data on the devices themselves, but generate massive amounts of data stored on third-party servers. This data can be extremely perishable. Recognizing, preserving and obtaining this data is critical to having a thorough and successful investigation.
Detective Marty Keck, Wauwatosa Police Department
DNA 101 and Beyond: Paving the Pathway for New Technology - Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of new technologies available to solve crime in the forensic DNA community, including genealogy, next-generation sequencing (NGS), probabilistic genotyping, phenotyping, and more! To understand the potential for these amazing tools, it is important to first understand the basics including short tandem repeats (STRs), Y-STRs, and Mitochondrial DNA testing. We will also introduce you to NGS which is the path forward for many DNA technologies including forensic genetic genealogy. The importance of each technology will be discussed as well as show they have the potential to impact an investigation. This presentation also provides a brief overview of crime scene evidence collection and preservation based on the new standards of DNA capabilities. Finally, we will discuss how standards have changed in the community and how the impossible is now possible using new technology! - Tina Gryszowka - DNA Labs International
Introduction And Awareness Of Explosives - Information related to types of explosions, types of explosives and how they are labeled. What household chemicals are used to make explosive materials. Mitigation of chemicals and explosives. How to collect explosive precursor samples safely. Post blast scene processing to include securing scene, safety, and team concept assignments.
ATF Special Agent Certified Explosive Specialist Jody Keeku.
K9 Trailing – Missing Persons Search And Rescue - This breakout will feature demonstrations and information on using scent specific tracking search and rescue canines in missing persons cases. Wisconsin’s network of certified volunteers can be a vital resource for Alzheimer, child abductions, missing autistic, despondent/suicidal subject cases and more. Members of K9 SOS will discuss their canine’s abilities and limits, basic scent theory, and how to enlist the help of search and rescue teams. There will be several demonstrations displaying the dogs in action, on trail!
K9 SOS - Craig Kubiak, Chris Boyd, Jeff Jacoby, Mary Pyritz
Purging And Disposal Of Property And Evidence - This breakout will offer essential insights into effective procedures for managing and disposing of materials. Participants will learn proper protocols, including identification of items eligible for disposal, documentation requirements, maintaining the chain of custody, and disposal options. Real-world examples will be shared, and a round table discussion will be hosted to address any questions related to your property room concerns. - Jesse Williams, Brandon Giese, Cyndel Sawall, and Josh Henry
Trace Evidence For The Crime Scene Investigator - Crime scene investigators often times are intimidated by trace evidence. However, this evidence type can be crucial in solving cases. This presentation will introduce attendees to the collection, preservation, and analysis of trace evidence to better help them understand the importance and the value of this type of evidence in a case. Through case examples and easy to understand step by step instructions, attendees of this lecture will have more confidence when collecting glass, paint, hairs, footwear, explosives, etc.
Nathan Carey – Foster and Freeman
12:00PM - 1:00PM - Lunch - Provided
1:00PM - 2:45PM - Repeated - 3:15PM - 5:00PM
6:00PM - Cocktails
6:30PM - Dinner
7:00PM - 10:00PM Casino Night
Friday, March 22nd
8:00AM - 8:30AM
8:30AM - 10:00AM
10:00AM - 10:10AM
10:10AM - 12:10PM
12:10PM - 2:00PM
Coffee / Danish
Polk County Homicide Using Social Media - Lieutenant Andrew Vitalis - Polk County Sheriff's Office
Break
Taylor Schabusiness Case Review - A case review of police response to a 911 call reporting the discovery of a dismembered head. Rapid development of Suspect identification, arrest and questioning; Scene investigation including challenges of processing multiple scenes with extraordinary circumstances. - Detective Phil Scanlon / Detective Dave Graf
Lunch - Provided and Association Meeting
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