Presenters/Facilitators:Dr. Marta Diepenbroek (Institute of Legal Medicine LMU Munich, Germany)

Date: 2nd Dec 2025 | Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM

Cost: 200

Target Audience:forensic geneticists; forensic scientists; students attending forensic science programs

Prerequisites: Awareness of forensic DNA typing

Maximum Participants: 20

Description:

Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) provides a valuable tool to predict externally visible characteristics, biogeographical ancestry (BGA) and biological age from DNA, offering investigative leads in both contemporary and historical cases. This workshop will introduce participants to the scientific foundations and applied methodology of FDP, with a strong focus on the interpretation and evaluation of phenotype predictions.

The workshop will start with the theoretical part during which the participants will hear a guided overview of the development of phenotype prediction in forensic genetics, followed by detailed discussions of selected studies that highlight key milestones in the field. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of BGA and its influence on the interpretation of physical appearance traits. Participants will then learn how to generate phenotypic predictions from genotypes using the HIrisPlex-S system, with step-by-step insights into data obtained via Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS), and how to translate these genotypes into probabilistic trait predictions. The session will also address interpretation challenges, particularly in cases involving degraded DNA or mixed samples.

In the hands-on part of the workshop, participants will work with example genotypes to perform phenotype predictions themselves. This practical component will reinforce the theoretical content and provide participants with the tools to critically evaluate FDP results in real-world forensic contexts.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained an in-depth understanding of both the scientific principles and practical workflow involved in modern forensic DNA phenotyping.