FOLLOW THE PATH OF FIGG

A 6-Part Webinar Series on Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy

The International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA) presents Follow the Path of FIGG, a six-part webinar series designed to provide investigators, analysts, forensic professionals, and law enforcement leaders with a practical roadmap for implementing and utilizing Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) in criminal investigations.

This exclusive member benefit will explore the critical components of building, funding, managing, and sustaining a successful FIGG program through presentations from subject matter experts across the forensic and investigative communities.

Episode 2: FBI IGG Program & Resources Available for Law Enforcement Agencies Nation-wide

Thursday, July 9, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Eastern

Presenters:

• Tiffany H. Smith (Biography)
  • Supervisory Special Agent (SSA)
    Federal Bureau of Investigation
    Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Program Manager
• Lindsay Eberhard-Cook (Biography)

  • Supervisory Special Agent (SSA)
    Federal Bureau of Investigation
    Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Program Manager

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: 

This webinar series is available at no additional cost to active IHIA members.

To register, participants must be logged into their IHIA member profile.

Non-members wishing to participate may join the IHIA and gain access to this webinar series through an annual membership.

Annual IHIA Membership: $55

Applications submitted using an official government law enforcement email address are typically approved quickly for active law enforcement personnel.

TO WATCH THE WEBINAR: 

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email. Approximately one week before each webinar, GoTo Webinar will send a separate email containing the webinar access link and additional participation details.

Attend one webinar or follow the entire path. Each session builds on the last, providing a complete roadmap for developing and sustaining a successful FIGG program. Register once and you'll be enrolled for the entire series.

Additional episode details, speakers, and learning objectives will be released throughout the series.

Questions?

For questions regarding this webinar series, please contact:

Lt. Steve Lewis (Ret.) | Executive Director | slewis@ihia.org

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Western Region Director | Sr. Investigator Ed Striedinger at edward.striedinger@atg.wa.gov or (206) 992-5610

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA and the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association are presenting the 3-day (24-hour) Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigations Course on July 21-23, 2026, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  

(This location is about 25 minutes west of downtown Chicago.)

This course provides valuable information for law enforcement officers regardless of assignment.  It is critical for officers assigned as Criminal investigators, Administrative Investigators, Patrol/Detective Supervisors and Managers, and Public Information Officers.

This is a highly interactive course and is limited to 30 attendees.

ILETSB has certified this course and Illinois law enforcement will be able to receive the following hours:

Legal Updates = 1 Hour

Procedural Justice - 11 Hours

Use of Force = 4 Hours

De-Escalation Techniques = 4 Hours

Lead Homicide Investigator = 24 Hours

**This training is specific to those listed above.  If you feel you are eligible to attend, but are not one of the above, please contact the IHIA before registering.**  

Non-IHIA Member Rate:  $680.00

Active IHIA Member Rate:  $625.00

Event Flyer:

Lodging:

The IHIA has secured a courtesy block of rooms at:

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Downers Grove Chicago

1500 Opus Place
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Phone:  630-852-1500

Room rates are at the government per diem rate of $115 per night, plus applicable taxes.

Deadline to secure this rate is June 29, 2026

Book Your Room Here

Lt. Steve Lewis (ret.), slewis@ihia.org, (540) 898-7898

Lt. Paul Belli (ret.), pbelli@ihia.org, (916) 606-1283

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA, FBI, New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office will present the 2026 Annual Training Symposium, August 9-13, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

This 32nd Symposium will be held at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District, located across from the Convention Center.  

This symposium is intended for law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, crime analysts, crime scene personnel, and those working directly with law enforcement.  If you have any questions on whether you are eligible to attend, please contact us at ihia@ihia.org

For Medical Examiners and Coroners, the IHIA is seeking AMBDI continuing education credits and it's pending approval.

IHIA Member Rate - $580

Non-Member Rate - $635

(includes one-year membership, valued at $55)

Group Rate Special - Buy 4, Get 1 Free

(Email ihia@ihia.org to facilitate this promotion)

Need a sample attendance justification letter for approval?

Click here:   Justification Letter

Exhibitors & Sponsors

Exhibitor Prospectus

Contact the IHIA Event Planner, Jennifer Thornton, at jennifer@ihia.org

Symposium Flyer

Presentation Lineup

Symposium Schedule (at a glance)

Sunday, August 9 - 4:00PM - 7:00PM (Welcome Reception & Early Check-In)

Monday, August 10 - 8:30AM - 5:30PM (Opening Ceremonies & Presentations)

Tuesday, August 11 - 8:30AM - 5:30PM (Presentations)

Wednesday, August 12 - 8:30AM - 5:30PM (Presentations)

Thursday, August 13 - 8:30AM - 5:30PM (Presentations)

Lodging

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District

859 Convention Center Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Phone: (504) 613-2888

Lodging Rates: Government Per Diem rate of $133 per night, plus 16.20% (current tax rate) per room, per night.

Please note: Our room block at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District is nearing capacity. We encourage attendees to book lodging as soon as possible. Overflow accommodations are available at the Hyatt Place New Orleans/Convention Center.

Hyatt Place New Orleans/Convention Center

881 Convention Center Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Phone: (866) 245-3690

Lodging Rates: Government Per Diem rate of $133 per night, plus 16.20% (current tax rate) per room, per night.

The IHIA is now accepting a limited number of case submissions for consultation with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), offering selected participants the chance to have experts review their case in advance and discuss it in person while attending the Symposium.

If you are currently working a complex or unusual case that could benefit from behavioral analysis or additional perspective, this is a unique opportunity to gain meaningful, case-specific insight. Please note that not all cases are suitable for BAU consultation. Submissions should have a strong behavioral component.

This is not a general session or lecture, this is focused, one-on-one engagement designed to help move your case forward.

If you have a case in mind, we strongly encourage you to submit early to be considered.
For consideration, requirements, or additional questions, please contact: IHIA FBI Liaison, Major Case Specialist Kevin Hagan or IHIA Secretary, Crime Analyst Nathan Graham

Please review the IHIA Cancellation Policy

IHIA Cancellation Policy

Questions?  Contact us at ihia@ihia.org

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Western Region Director | Sr. Investigator Ed Striedinger at edward.striedinger@atg.wa.gov or (206) 992-5610

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA and the Olathe Police Department will present the Advanced Homicide & Violent Crimes Investigations Course from September 21-25, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas.  

The cost is $475.00 for non-IHIA members, which includes all training materials, IHIA membership for a year, coffee each morning, and a social networking event.

Active IHIA members pay $425 for the course!

COURSE FLYER

LODGING INFORMATION

Hilton Garden Inn Olathe
12080 South Strang Line Road
Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913)815-2345

Room rates are available at the government per diem rate of $135 per night, plus applicable taxes.

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Western Region Director | Sr. Investigator Ed Striedinger at edward.striedinger@atg.wa.gov or (206) 992-5610

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Eastern Region Director | Sgt. Jim Marable at jmarable@ihia.org

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA will be presenting an exclusive expert and peer-drive training, titled, "UNRAVELING MYSTERIES: Cold Case Investigative Workshop" from November 16-20, 2026 in New Haven, Connecticut.  

This course will provide a unique opportunity for law enforcement investigators to actively work unsolved cases, learn the most recent advances in forensics and develop new leads and forensic opportunities to solve some of their most difficult unsolved violent crimes. 

Anne Marie Schubert - Former Sacramento District Attorney with 32 years experience; Nationally recognized expert on forensic DNA and Cold Cases.  Led the prosecution of the Golden State Killer.

Lieutenant Nuno Tavares  - Former Lieutenant with Placer County District Attorney's Office and a 27 year career; numerous investigative excellence awards, POST instructor and frequent lecturer at numerous homicide conferences.

They will be joined by several other experts, to include a Forensic Pathologist, Deputy District Attorney, DNA Criminalist, Genetic Genealogist and others as needed.  

The cost for this week-long training course is $700 for non-IHIA members and $650 for Active IHIA members.

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not in law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

For more information, click on the below flyer:

To participate in the case presentation, please go to the following link and provide a summary of the case. 

UNSOLVED CASE PRESENTATION   

LODGING INFORMATION

PENDING

If you have any questions, please contact:

Director of Training Curriculum - jmcclain@ihia.org, (540) 661-6193

Executive Director - slewis@ihia.org, (813) 299-9921

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Executive Director | Lt. Steve Lewis (ret) at slewis@ihia.org or (813) 299-9921.

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA and the Grand Prairie Police Department are presenting a 3-day Investigative Technology Summit on December 8-10, 2026, in Grand Prairie, Texas.  

Join us for a dynamic three-day training event bringing together law enforcement investigators and the technology companies advancing criminal investigations.

Go beyond the technology and hear directly from investigators who have used these tools to identify suspects, uncover critical evidence, develop leads, and move investigations forward. Attendees will hear real-world law enforcement case studies demonstrating how technology was applied to solve complex investigations and support successful case outcomes. Each case study presentation is designed with practical learning objectives that investigators can immediately apply to active and future investigations.

REGISTRATION:
Active IHIA Members - $325
Non-IHIA Members - $375
Includes all training materials, morning coffee, a networking social event, and a complimentary 1-year IHIA membership for non-members.

COURSE FLYER:

LODGING INFORMATION:

Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Prairie at EpicCentral
2945 S State Highway 161
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
1(682)882-6744

Hilton Garden Inn Grand Prairie at EpicCentral
2935 S State Highway 161
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
1(682)428-7311

Room rates are the government per diem rate of $159 per night, plus applicable taxes.

If you have any questions, please contact:

D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret.) at deddy@ihia.org | (517)749-4167
or
Lt. Steve Lewis (ret.) at slewis@ihia.org | (813)299-9921

*This training event is for law enforcement officials and those working directly with law enforcement. Those without governmental contact information will be vetted by the IHIA board to determine eligibility. If you have questions, please email Steve Lewis.  

PRESENTATION PROPOSALS:
The International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA) is now accepting presentation proposals. Proposals may be submitted by individual investigators or technology partners. 
Learn more & submit your proposal here.

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

If you have any questions, contact either: 

IHIA Director of Training Operations | D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) at deddy@ihia.org or (517) 749-4167

IHIA Executive Director | Lt. Steve Lewis (ret) at slewis@ihia.org or (540) 898-7898 

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel only.  If you are not sworn law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

To view our Event Cancellation Policy, please click on the button below.

IHIA's Cancellation Policy