This volume of Progress in Forensic Genetics contains mainly short three-page manuscripts of the oral and poster presentations at the congress. The manuscripts have been through a reviewing and editing procedure in order to maintain the high quality of the series. It is hoped that all attendees and also those who were not able to attend will be able to profit from the high level of scientific information contained in this book and that this will stimulate the readership to innovative research in this rapidly changing field of forensic genetics.