TRANScending Jane and John Doe: The impact of Gender Identification in Forensic Cold Cases

Interested in how forensic anthropology and forensic genetic genealogy can help serve transgender and nonbinary decedents and law enforcement efforts with gender-informed strategies? Register for this free day-long webinar with topical sessions that is hosted by the ISU Gender Resource Center, Department of Anthropology, and the Trans Doe Task Force.

Google Doc notebook (copy to your own GDrive)

Speakers
In order of appearance

Samantha Blatt
Idaho State University
blatsam2@isu.edu

Mari Isa
Texas Tech University
mari.isa@ttu.edu

Anthony Redgrave
Trans Doe Task Force, Redgrave Research Forensic Services
anthony@redgraveresearch.com

Amy Michael
University of New Hampshire
amy.michael@unh.edu

Lee Bingham Redgrave
Trans Doe Task Force, Redgrave Research Forensic Services
lee@redgraveresearch.com

Taylor Flaherty
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
flahet1@unlv.nevada.edu

Viktor Veltstra
Trans Doe Task Force, LAMMP Admin
kaylara@redgraveresearch.com

SESSIONS (Description and Times (in MST)

Welcome (10:00am-10:15am MST)

Description Welcome, workshop goals, and overview of the events; introduce the speakers
Speaker: Samantha Blatt (ISU Anthropology)

Session 1: Introducing the Problem: Marginalized Groups and Overrepresentation in Forensic Cases (10:15am-10:50am MST

Description: Why is this workshop important?
Speakers: Lee Bingham Redgrave and Anthony Redgrave (Trans Doe Task Force & Redgrave Research)

10 minute break (10:50-11:00pm)

Session 2: Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex Individuals in History and Culture (11:00-12:50pm MST)

Description: A cultural and historical overview of transgender and non-binary people which includes terminology, examples through time and space.
Speaker: Anthony Redgrave (Trans Doe Task Force & Redgrave Research)

Session 3: Challenges in Understanding the Numbers: LAMMP as a Resource (12:35-1:05pm MST)

Description: Discussion of how cases are found, enters in NamUs, challenges she faces, problems she sees in reporting/translating case info across disparate audiences (e.g. families, LE, anthros, genealogists, websleuths folks, etc.)
Speaker: Viktor Veltstra (Trans Doe Task Force)

10 minute break (1:05-1:15pm)

Session 4: Forensic Anthropology and the Shortcomings of Sex Estimation (1:15-1:50pm MST)

Description: Overview of the limitations of forensic methods in sex estimation and gender interpretation.
Speakers: Mari Isa (Texas Tech University), Samantha Blatt (ISU), Amy Michael (University of New Hampshire)

10 minute break (1:50-2:00pm)

Session 5: Approaches to Casework and Current Research (2:00-2:45pm MST)

Description: Introduce a structural vulnerability framework approach to casework, discuss parallels in the ID of migrants and trans decedents, discuss indicators of vulnerability, suggest ethical responsibilities and harm reduction principles for forensic casework, discuss current research
Speakers: Amy Michael (University of new Hampshire), Mari Isa (Texas Tech University), Taylor Flaherty (University of Nevada, LV)

Session 6: Introduction to Forensic Genetic Genealogy for Case Resolution (2:45-3:35pm MST)

Description: Introduction to forensic genetic genealogy and how can it aid in transgender and non-binary forensic cold cases with case study examples.
Speakers: Lee Bingham Redgrave and Anthony Regrave (Trans Doe Task Force & Redgrave Research)

10 minute break (3:35-3:45pm)

Session 7: Closing Thoughts (3:45-4:15 pm MST)

Description: Resources and close (short presentation with take home points, websites, contact info, next steps, etc.)
Speakers: All presenters