2027 FSF Workshop—Call for Speakers

The Forensic Science Foundation (FSF) Education Committee is seeking engaging and experienced speakers to participate in a proposed workshop for the 2027 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Conference with the working title "Crime Scenes Beyond the Expected: Forensic Investigations in Uncommon Locations." The goal of this workshop will explore the challenges, adaptations, and innovations required when forensic professionals encounter crime scenes in unconventional or extreme environments — where standard protocols must be reexamined and the foundational principles of forensic science are tested by environmental, logistical, and jurisdictional constraints. We are particularly interested in individuals with real-world experience, research, or casework involving settings such as:

• Underwater or submerged environments
• Extreme cold or severe weather conditions
• Fire scenes, wildfires, or heat-altered environments
• Remote, wilderness, or outdoor locations (including clandestine burials)
• Wildlife or environmental crime scenes
• Disaster zones and mass fatality incidents
• Confined, vertical, or technically challenging recovery environments (e.g., caves, collapses)
• Mobile or transport-based crime scenes
• Digital or non-traditional crime scenes
• Emerging or future environments (e.g., space or other extreme settings)

We are looking for participation from active members of the forensic science community — including practitioners, researchers, educators, and investigators — particularly those affiliated with AAFS or related professional organizations who can provide practical insights through casework or applied experience. Both established experts and emerging professionals are encouraged to express interest. The workshop will include a series of focused presentations, a multidisciplinary panel discussion, and a potential interactive or scenario-based component. In alignment with the mission of the Forensic Science Foundation, all proceeds from this workshop will directly support FSF initiatives, including student scholarships, educational opportunities, and research advancement in forensic science. Those interested in being considered as speakers are invited to contact Gina Londino-Smolar (glondino@iu.edu) directly with their name, affiliation, contact information, and proposed topic/title by July 1, 2026. This workshop is being developed under the leadership of the FSF Education Committee, and we encourage broad sharing of this call across the forensic science community.