9th Annual Forensic Science Symposium

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Overview

The 9th Annual Forensic Science Symposium will feature presentations regarding water-related search and rescue, water-related deaths, and firearms examination. The symposium will also include case presentations on deaths related to alcohol consumption, electrocution, huffing, and others. There will also be breakout sessions to allow for more interactive learning, with topics including search and rescue, firearms, and K9 units.

Accessibility statement: The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS) strives for inclusive learning and training environments. If you experience or anticipate experiencing any disability-related barriers, please contact Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu


Conference Information

Date: April 12, 2024

Location: Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minnesota

Note: This program will be in person only and will not be live streamed.

Presented by: Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Questions: Contact the Education Department at 800-533-1710 or 507-284-3156, or email mcleducation@mayo.edu.

Accommodations

Learning objectives

Upon completion of the conference, participants should be able to:

  • State examples of postmortem artifacts found on bodies in water.
  • Describe responsibilities of dive teams and their relationship to the scene investigation.
  • Identify trauma incurred from a range of ammunition.
  • Explain the assessment and examination of firearms that have been used in deaths. 
  • Describe injuries indicative of electrocution.

Intended audience

This course is designed for M.D. (medical examiner, coroner), Ph.D., PA(ASCP), death investigators, county attorneys, funeral directors, crime technicians, and law enforcement officers interested in forensic science.

Agenda

Friday, April 12, 2024

7:45 a.m. | Welcome & Introduction to Symposium

8 a.m. | Bodies in Water - R. Ross Reichard, MD

8:40 a.m. | Basics of Modern Water-Based Body Search & Recovery - Mitchel Auman

9 a.m. | Firearms Basics - Christopher Poulos, MD

9:45 a.m. | Break

10 a.m. |  Gunshot Wound Basics - Andrew Layman, MD

10:30 a.m. | BCA Firearms Examiner - Katie Hook & Jessie Emond

11:05 a.m. | Workshops: Learners will choose one to attend

  • Workshop 1:  Firearms – Katie Hook & Jessie Emond
  • Workshop 2:  Tools of Search & Recovery – Mitchel Auman
  • Workshop 3: Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit

11:45 a.m. | Lunch & Networking

12:45 p.m. | Workshops: Learners will choose one to attend

  • Workshop 1:  Firearms – Katie Hook & Jessie Emond
  • Workshop 2:  Tools of Search & Recovery – Mitchel Auman
  • Workshop 3: Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit

1:25 p.m. | Case presentations

  • Determining Cause and Manner of Death: A Forensics Case Study Involving Ethanol - Ann-Marie Scazzero, M.H.S., PA(ASCP)  
  • An Unusual Presentation of Death by Electrocution in a 14-Year-Old Boy - Ann-Marie Scazzero, M.H.S., PA(ASCP)  
  • Medicolegal Placenta - Heidi Cheek-Norgan, M.H.S, PA(ASCP)
  • Huffing Related Deaths – Rachel Larsen, M.S., PA(ASCP), D-ABMDI  
  • Sharp Force Injures – Michael Kritselis, D.O

3:30 p.m. | The Bullet Catch and Other Deadly Illusions - Reade Quinton, MD

4:30 p.m. | Closing remarks

Schedule subject to change

Faculty

Conference directors

Reade A. Quinton, M.D.

R. Ross Reichard, M.D.

Planning committee

Courtney Hyland, M.S., PA(ASCP)

Monica Kendall, M.S., PA(ASCP)

Mayo Clinic Faculty

Heidi Cheek-Norgan, M.H.S, PA(ASCP) 

Michael Kritselis, D.O.

Rachel Larsen, M.S., PA(ASCP) 

Andrew Layman, M.D.

Ann-Marie Scazzero, M.H.S., PA(ASCP) 

Guest Faculty

Mitchel Auman, Winona County Dive/Rescue Team

Jessie Emond, Minnesota BCA

Katie Hook, Minnesota BCA

Christopher Poulos, M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine

Credit

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

A certificate of attendance will be provided to other health care professionals for requesting credits in accordance with state boards, specialty societies, or other professional associations.

ASCLS P.A.C.E.®

Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. This program has been approved for a maximum of 7.00 P.A.C.E.® contact hour(s).

The level of instruction for this program is intermediate.

POST

Mayo Clinic Laboratories, in conjunction with the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office, is a continuing education sponsor as approved by the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. This course, the 9th Annual Forensic Science Symposium, course number 10402-00009, has been approved by the POST Board for continuing education credit. Peace officers who successfully complete this course will receive 7.00 hours of continuing education.

ABMDI

This course is approved for 7.00 ABMDI credit hours by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). Attendees should claim only those hours of continuing education that they spent in the educational activity.

Travel and accommodations

There are various ways to travel to Rochester, Minnesota. Please visit Experience Rochester for information on flying and shuttle services available.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories is not responsible for expenses incurred by an individual who is not confirmed and for whom space is not available at the meeting. Costs incurred by the registrant such as airline or hotel fees or penalties are the responsibility of the registrant.

Cancellation policy and fine print

If you cancel your participation in this conference on or before March 22, 2024, your registration fee, less a $50 administrative fee, will be refunded. Mayo Clinic Laboratories Education Department must receive written notification of your cancellation. No refunds will be made after March 22, 2024.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories reserves the right to cancel or postpone any conference due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event Mayo Clinic Laboratories must cancel or postpone this conference, Mayo Clinic Laboratories will refund the registration fee but is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees assessed by airline/travel/lodging agencies.