11th Annual Forensic Science Symposium
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.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the conference, participants should be able to:
- Explain ethical principles and challenges related to transplant medicine and forensic investigations.
- Demonstrate effective strategies for a mass fatality or mass casualty response, including coordination with emergency management teams.
- Apply law enforcement search protocols in forensic investigations to ensure thorough and systematic evidence collection.
- Utilize drone technology for forensic scene documentation and evidence gathering in compliance with legal and procedural standards.
- Describe the role of pathologists in transplant medicine and its implications for forensic investigations.
Registration
- Physicians: $180
- Non-Physicians: $150
- Students: $120
Costs incurred by the registrant, such as airline or hotel fees or penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant.
Agenda
Friday, April 17, 2026 (Schedule subject to change)
| 7:45AM | Welcome & Introduction to Symposium |
| 8AM | Future State of Transplant |
| 8:20AM | Life Source |
| 8:40AM | Medical Ethics |
| 9AM | Q&A Panel |
| 9:30AM | Mass Disaster Planning: Exercising Past and Future |
| 9:50AM | Mass Fatality Preparedness: Airport Roles in Prevention and Exercise Compliance |
| 10:20AM | Thinking About Drinking |
| 11AM | Breakout Sessions: Learners will choose one to attend Topics include: Drones Mass Casualty Response K9s as a Tool in Mass Fatality Responses |
| 11:45AM | Lunch & Networking |
| 12:45PM | Breakout Sessions: Learners will choose one to attend Topics include: Drones Mass Casualty Response K9s as a Tool in Mass Fatality Responses |
| 1:30PM | Shrunken Head: Family Heirloom or Human Remains? |
| 2PM | Decontamination in ED |
| 2:35PM | Case Presentations 2:35PM Homicide by Heart Attack 3:00PM Diving into Scuba–Related Deaths 3:20PM Case Study 3:40PM The Intersection of Unhoused Populations and Death Investigation 4:05PM Don't Mix with Water |
| 4:25PM | Closing Remarks |
| 4:35PM | Adjourn |
Faculty
Course Directors
- Reade Quinton, M.D.
- R. Ross Reichard, M.D.
Planning Committee
- Courtney Hyland, M.H.S., PA(ASCP)
- Monica Kendall, M.S., PA(ASCP)
Mayo Clinic Faculty
- Aaron Amundson, D.O.
- Lainee Bulawa-Regner, M.S., PA(ASCP)
- Jason R. Carney, MSN, RN
- Nathan Cummins, M.D., M.A.
- Sam Engrav, M.D.
- Sarvie Esmaeilzadeh, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O
- Carolyne Lemieux, M.B.B.S., M.S.
- Dustin Parsons, M.D.
- Erica Reed, M.S., PA(ASCP)
Guest Faculty
- Melinda Collison, Lead Partner Liaison, LifeSource
- Troy Reed, Fire Chief/Operations Supervisor at Rochester International Airport
- Brett Knapp, Assistant Chief – Emergency Management Director, City of Rochester
- Detective Alex Kendrick, Rochester Police Department
- Lieutenant Rick Dahly, Rochester Police Department
- Rebecca Wilcoxon, M.D., Forensic Pathology Fellowship Director, Hennepin County
Credit
Credit statement:
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 is a continuing education sponsor as approved by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. This course, 10th Annual Forensic Science Symposium, 10699-00002, 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), accreditation number 26-076. 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
If you cancel your participation in this conference on or before March 27, 2026, your registration fee, less a $75 administrative fee, will be refunded. Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ Education Department must receive written notification of your cancellation. No refunds will be made after March 27, 2026.
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.