OCME Experts Attend American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting

February 19, 2016

- 20 Experts, Including 11 Presenters, Represent Broad Range of Forensic Science Disciplines -
- OCME Deputy Director of Forensic Biology to be Honored with Outstanding Service Award -

New York, NY – A distinguished group of 20 experts from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will attend the 68th annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) being held in Las Vegas from February 22 to February 27, 2016. The group includes 11 experts scheduled to deliver presentations on topics across the forensic science disciplines, and the OCME Deputy Director of Forensic Biology, who will be honored with an award for outstanding service.

Each February, approximately 5,000 professionals gather at the AAFS scientific meeting to present the most current information and research in forensic science. More than 1,000 scientific papers, seminars, workshops, and special sessions are presented during the meeting. OCME experts in attendance this year hail from the fields of forensic pathology, DNA analysis, forensic anthropology, medicolegal death investigation, mass fatality management, information technology, identification, and forensic dentistry.

“OCME is proud to send this accomplished and diverse group of experts to the AAFS annual scientific meeting,” said Dr. Barbara Sampson, Chief Medical Examiner of New York City. “These professionals embody our Agency’s commitment to public education in the forensic sciences and delivering the most advanced and accurate science in the service of justice.”

Experts from OCME scheduled to present during the AAFS annual scientific meeting include Dr. Jennifer Hammers, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner; Frank DePaolo, Assistant Commissioner of Forensic Operations; Naeem Ullah, Chief Information Officer; Dr. Bradley Adams, Director of Forensic Anthropology; Dr. Carolyn Kappen, Senior Medical Examiner; Dr. Noelle Umback, Forensic Scientist; Diana Ho, Forensic Scientist; Krista Currie, Forensic Scientist; Lisa Mertz, Forensic Scientist; Dr. Lawrence Dobrin, Chief Forensic Dentist; and Dr. Kenneth Aschheim, Assistant Chief Forensic Dentist.

In addition to the presenters, Marie Samples, OCME Assistant Director of Forensic Biology, will receive the 2016 Mary E. Cowan Outstanding Service Award from the Criminalistics Section of AAFS on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. The award recognizes a person who has accomplished or performed a special service or a history of service to the Criminalistics Section, the Academy, or forensic science.

AAFS is a multi-disciplinary professional organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. Its 7,000 members are divided into 11 sections covering all areas of the forensic sciences. AAFS members represent all 50 United States, Canada, and 68 other countries.

Established in 1918 as the first governmental agency of its type in the United States, OCME provides the public with the highest standards of service across the forensic sciences. OCME operates the largest and most advanced public crime laboratory in North America, and houses laboratories in toxicology and histology, in addition to the nation’s only public molecular genetics laboratory. The agency offers the country’s largest forensic pathology training program, having produced nearly 100 board-certified forensic pathologists since 1990. OCME also houses a department of forensic anthropology, and maintains a division of specially trained experts to respond to any and all mass fatality events and disasters.

For more information, contact the OCME Public Affairs Office at (212) 447-2041.