AAFS 2026
Luncheon Seminars
Luncheon Seminars are 90-minute sessions that provide attendees with both lunch and an in-depth presentation covering a specific topic of special interest to the forensic community. They are available by pre-registration only. It is recommended to register for these special sessions as soon as possible to ensure you reserve your seat before the luncheon seminar is full.
This Luncheon has been canceled.
Pre-Registration Required — $85
Thursday, February 12 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Anna S. Duggar, PhD
Loyola University
New Orleans, LAProgram Description: In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans after federal levees failed, devastating the city and crippling essential services, including the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). The NOPD Crime Lab and Central Evidence and Property were submerged, halting forensic operations and jeopardizing evidence integrity. While the forensic community is increasingly prepared to respond to major disasters, it is less equipped to function as a victim of such events. This presentation reviews the Crime Lab's experience during and after Katrina, highlighting both individual and collaborative recovery efforts. It encourages labs to adopt a systems-based approach for managing both disaster response and recovery in future crises.
Learning Objective:This session will explore the fundamental roles, responsibilities, and needs of forensic laboratories after a disaster, using Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans as a case study. Key points of discussion will include:
- Impacts on laboratories during a natural disaster
- Changing demands on the laboratory and on individual analysts during the immediate response and subsequent recovery
- Ways in which standard disaster preparation and response guidelines may not take into account the particular needs of forensic laboratories.
Concerns of physical plant, personnel, evidence, and the long-term potential for assistance and recovery will be discussed, as well as opportunities to be found at the center of the crisis.
Impact Statement: This presentation will impact the forensic science community by highlighting the benefits of basic disaster preparedness, specifically tailored to the forensic laboratory. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the strengths and vulnerabilities of their labs, learn from real-world experiences, and leave the presentation with a foundation for short-term and long-term efforts to prepare for simultaneous response and recovery from natural disasters in future.
Pre-Registration Required — $85
Thursday, February 12 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tatiana Bihun, MD
Saint Louis City Medical Examiner's Office
St. Louis, MOProgram Description: National Parks, located in the United States, are visited by over 300 million people a year. From 2014-2019, a total of 2,149 deaths were recorded. Despite deaths drawing media attention, the parks are relatively safe. Mortality data, collected by the National Park Service, reported a mortality rate of 0.11 per 100,000 recreational visits, substantially lower than the 715 deaths per 100,000 people of the overall United States population. Death investigations that take place in our National Parks cover a multitude of breath takingly beautiful, yet harsh terrains. There are even cases of which that the topography is so harsh, that bodies are not recovered and individuals are "presumed" dead. National Park investigations are also complex in the sense that they often cross not only multiple states, but multiple jurisdictions.
Attendees will hear about multiple cases of National Parks, from Denali National Park in Alaska to Gateway National Park in Missouri. Deaths resulted from multiple different causes, including but not limited to: environmental exposure, accidental firearm discharge, animal attack, airplane crashes, and falls. Cases were shared by Coroners, Death Investigators, and Medical Examiners. Manner of Death was determined by not only autopsy examination, but from thorough scene investigation by either National Park Rangers or other Death Investigators to also include police. These cases also highlight the principle of "presumed dead" and the challenges of body recovery in the setting of rough terrain.
Learning Objective: National Parks fall under various jurisdictions, to include Federal, Local, and Reservation. These different landscapes not only include glaciers, large bodies of water, forests, mountains, caves and deserts, but also encompass all four seasons. Attendees will learn of the complex nuances needed to complete investigations and hear interesting cases that are unique to our National Parks.
Impact Statement: Presenting on National Park Deaths will impact the forensic science community by highlighting not only the intricacies of interjurisdictional collaboration to include Local Police, Tribal Police, National Park Rangers, Coroner Offices, and Medical Examiners Offices, but also the challenges of completing death investigations in the absence of a body. It highlights the differences of resources, training, environment, and types of visitors that is unique to each National Park.Pre-Registration Required — $85
Friday, February 13 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Vinicius Lima, PhD
SUNY Albany
Lafayette, INProgram Description: This seminar explores the evolution of Forensic Intelligence, which moves beyond the traditional case-by-case forensic approach to a broader, insight-driven analysis of evidence. Despite its potential, real-world adoption faces operational and institutional challenges. The seminar also examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) — particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP) — can enhance Forensic Intelligence by identifying crime patterns, linking cases, and informing public safety strategies.
A case study from Brazil illustrates how AI can extract actionable insights from crime scene reports. The seminar emphasizes the need for cross-sector collaboration to successfully integrate AI and Forensic Intelligence into forensic practice.
Learning Objective: Participants will explore the history of Forensic Intelligence, its application within Forensic Science, and the current and future challenges involved in its practical implementation. We will then discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can support and enhance forensic investigations. This section will also address the limitations and challenges AI faces when applied to forensic contexts. A practical example will be presented to illustrate how AI techniques, particularly those based on Natural Language Processing and simple analytical visualization tools, can be leveraged to extract insights from forensic evidence. It will be shown how such work generates insights including uncovering crime patterns, supporting case linkage analysis, and informing public security policies. The goal of this talk is to introduce the audience to the intersection of Forensic Intelligence and AI, and to foster discussion among interested participants for future contributions in the field.
Impact Statement: By gaining a deeper understanding of the Forensic Intelligence landscape and the potential of Artificial intelligence to enhance the field, the audience will be better equipped to expand their knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and contribute to future research and innovation in this emerging area.
Pre-Registration Required — $85
Friday, February 13 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Bart B. Kemper, PE
Kemper Engineering Services
Baton Rouge, LAProgram Description: This presentation covers the forensic investigation into the June 2023 implosion of OceanGate's submersible, TITAN, during a dive to the Titanic wreck, which killed all five people aboard, including CEO Stockton Rush. OceanGate had previously been praised as a leader in deep-sea exploration, but concerns about its safety practices were raised by industry experts, including engineer Bart Kemper, who had warned the company prior to the disaster.
Kemper, an expert in pressure vessel engineering and forensic analysis, was later asked by the NTSB and US Coast Guard to lead a multidisciplinary review of the recovered evidence. Drawing inspiration from the Challenger shuttle investigation, he assembled a 13-person team to examine the incident from a forensic procedural perspective.
The presentation focuses on the methodology and key forensic aspects of the investigation. Final results are pending official release, so content is limited to information already made public by the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) and various documentaries.
Learning Objective: The 2023 loss of the Titan submersible and the five fatalities off the coast of Halifax captured the world's attention. The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board conducted a joint investigation, with the October 2024 Marine Board of Investigation bringing to light many issues regarding CEO Stockton Rush and the OceanGate team. This presentation will provide insight into the information presented during the eight days of testimony.
Impact Statement: Attendees will gain knowledge of the sequence of events of the investigation into OceanGate and the Titan submersible implosion. There will be a focus on the Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) process, its role in innovation, and how VVUQ is part of the due diligence for applying engineering simulations, including in a forensic investigation. Finally, attendees will gain insight into how to form a successful multidisciplinary team to confront a novel forensic situation.Pre-Registration Required — $85
Friday, February 13 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Jamie M. Elifritz, MD
Forensic Radiology Group
Destin, FLProgram Description: PMCT Jeopardy is a lively, interactive luncheon seminar that combines forensic education with game-show fun. Aligned with the AAFS 2026 theme, Back to Basics, the session uses a Jeopardy-style format to reinforce core principles of Postmortem CT (PMCT) through real-world cases — ranging from classic findings to bizarre surprises.
Attendees will split into two teams to compete in categories like Classic PMCT Findings,Affairs of the Heart, and You Might Lose Your Lunch. Each case includes brief teaching points, dark humor, and practical takeaways grounded in best practices.
Designed for everyone from PMCT newcomers to seasoned forensic professionals, this fast-paced, case-based event offers education, entertainment, and even prizes — making it a must-attend for anyone wanting to sharpen their skills and enjoy forensic science in a fresh, memorable way.
Learning Objective: This presentation will: (1) Introduce fundamental PMCT findings, including pattern recognition, (2) demonstrate the PMCT findings of frequently encountered pathology, (3) strengthen understanding of PMCT basic concepts through engaging case-based examples that integrate radiologic-pathologic correlation, and (4) foster critical thinking in the evaluation of complex and atypical PMCT cases.
Impact Statement: This interactive seminar bridges foundational principles with modern imaging technology in a format that is both educational and memorable. By combining case-based learning, peer-reviewed imaging examples, and live audience participation, the session reinforces critical PMCT concepts while emphasizing the responsible application of PMCT in medicolegal death investigations. Attendees will leave with a stronger grasp of PMCT fundamentals, enhanced diagnostic confidence, and a renewed appreciation for collaboration between forensic pathologists and radiologists.