Forensic investigators to hold conference in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- CSI St. Louis? Not exactly, but some of the nation's top forensic investigators are expected in the Gateway City next week for a four-day conference at St. Louis University.

The university expects more than 300 scene investigators, forensic pathologists, scientists, coroners, police and others, said Mary Case, St. Louis County's medical examiner and the co-director of the conference that runs Monday through Thursday.

Topics will include serial killers, aviation disasters, sports deaths and Web-based crimes, among others. University officials say the conference, held every two years, is the largest gathering of its kind in the United States.

"People may not realize this, but Saint Louis University is the mecca of death scene investigation education," said Mary Fran Ernst, director of medicolegal education in the division of forensic and environmental pathology and a conference co-director. "Our conference draws the top investigators from around the country to learn the latest techniques. These skills apply directly to the scenes they see on a daily basis."

Dr. Randy Hanzlick, professor of forensic pathology at Emory University School of Medicine and chief medical examiner for Fulton County, Ga., will deliver the keynote lecture on concepts and approaches to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Among other scheduled topics:

* "Aviation Disaster Recoveries."

* "Deaths in Custody."

* "Sports Related Head In-juries."

* "Internet Generated Crimes Against Children."

* "Investigating a Homicidal Drowning."

* "Sudden Impact: Working with Families Experiencing Unexpected and Traumatic Death."

* "Forensics of Airbag Induced Injuries and Death."

* "Finding a Serial Murderer."