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 5: Closing the Loop - How Reference Testing Makes or Breaks a FIGG Case

Thursday, September 10, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Eastern

Presenters:

• Jason Shea, Texas DPS | Texas Rangers
• Jeff Smallwood, Homicide Investigators | Cincinnati Police Department, OH

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.

Missed an episode? Previous episodes are available for IHIA members in our Webinar Library. Access recordings anytime and catch up on sessions you've missed 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 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, 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

Hampton Inn & Suites
510 Saw Mill Rd. 
West Haven, CT 6516
Phone: (203) 932-0404

Room rates are the government per diem rate of $130.00 per night, plus applicable taxes. 

HOTEL BOOKING LINK

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. 

Proposals window has now closed.  Email ihia@ihia.org for any questions.

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

The IHIA and the Grand Prairie Police Department will present a 3-day hands-on training event from March 2-4, 2027, in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Digital evidence plays a role in nearly every investigation. This hands-on training is designed to equip law enforcement personnel with the skills necessary to properly identify, collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence in support of criminal cases.

Participants will receive instruction on mobile device forensics, computer and network evidence, cloud-based platforms, digital evidence legal considerations, practical artifact recovery, report preparation, and courtroom testimony. Attendees will work through case exercises that can be directly applied to homicide, violent crime, and other investigations.

IHIA Active Members - $345

Non-Members - $395

**This course is specific only for law enforcement investigators, criminal analysts, prosecutors, and others working for a law enforcement governmental agency**

COURSE FLYER:

LODGING INFORMATION:

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

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

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

If you have any questions, please contact:

IHIA Executive Director Steve Lewis, slewis@ihia.org, or 540-898-7898

IHIA Southern Region Director Caitlin Jewel, cjewel@ihia.org

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

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA, FBI and the Kalamazoo Police Department will be holding our Child & Infant Death Investigation Course from May 3-7, 2027, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

For non-members, the cost is $495.00, which includes all training materials, a complimentary 1-year IHIA membership, coffee each morning, and a social networking event.

Active IHIA Members pay only $445.

COURSE FLYER:

LODGING INFORMATION:

Pending

If you have any questions, contact:  

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

Executive Director Steve Lewis, slewis@ihia.org, (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, FBI, and the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office will present the Cold Case/No-Body Homicide Investigation & Prosecution Course from June 7-11, 2027, in Port Charlotte, Florida. 

All training will take place at the Charlotte County Sherriff's Office. 

For non-IHIA members, the cost is $495.00, which includes all training materials, IHIA membership, coffee each morning, and a networking event. 

Active IHIA Members pay $445.00!

**This event is for Law Enforcement personnel, including prosecutors, crime analysts, investigators, etc... If you are not in law enforcement, please contact the IHIA to confirm your eligibility to attend**

FLYER

LODGING

Pending

Questions? Please contact:

D/F/Lt. Dave Eddy (ret) - deddy@ihia.org | (517) 749-4167

or

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

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

IHIA's Cancellation Policy

The IHIA will present the 2027 Annual Training Symposium, August 1-5, 2027 in San Diego, California.  

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

EARLY BIRD IHIA MEMBER RATE | $575
Register by February 28, 2027. Member rate increases to $610 on March 1.

NON-MEMBER RATE | $675
Includes a one-year IHIA membership, a $55 value.

GROUP RATE SPECIAL | BUY 4, GET 1 FREE
Register four attendees and receive the fifth registration free.
Email ihia@ihia.org to take advantage of this offer.

LODGING INFORMATION
The IHIA has secured a courtesy room block at: 

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
1 Market Place
San Diego, CA 92101

Nightly variable per diem rates have been secured for the following dates:
July 30-31, 2027: $237 + $20 destination fee + taxes
August 1-6, 2027: $199 + $20 destination fee + taxes

MORE DETAILS FORTHCOMING

Please review the IHIA Cancellation Policy

IHIA Cancellation Policy

Questions?  Contact us at ihia@ihia.org