Forensic Anthropologist Odontologist Expert Witness

Biography

• Co-direction of the postgraduate course Forensic Odontology. University of Barcelona, Spain (until 2018).
• Co-direction of the postgraduate course Forensic Anthropology. University of Girona, Spain (until 2018).
• Member of International Association of Legal Medicine (IALM)
• External advisor for forensic anthropology and forensic odontology cases. Cos de Mossos d´Esquadra.
• Police Condecoration for professional merits in Forensic Odontology and Forensic Anthropology with the Bronze Medal with Blue Police Distinctive, Cos Mossos d´Esquadra (2016).
• Member of the INTERPOL Forensic Pathology/Anthropology Working Group.
• Member of the INTERPOL Odontology Working Group.
•  Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Forensic Sciences at Mercyhurst University.

EDUCATION

• PhD.Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Molecular and Celular Biology Area. Basic Sciences Department
  • • Thesis: Molecular Detection of Periodontal Pathogens (cum laude)
• Ph D. Cambridge International University, Forensic Anthropology
  • • Thesis: Study of Burnt Remains and Biological Profile (cum laude)
• DDS. Odontology, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
• BS. Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
• Masters in Legal and Forensic Odontology. Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse.
• Postgraduate course of Application of Surgery Techniques to the Oral Cavity. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• Masters in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse.
• Postgraduate Course in Bucal Medicine. Universitat de Barcelona.
• Posgraduate in Oral Implantology. University of Californa, Los Angeles (UCLA).
• Masters in Oral Medicine. Universitat de Barcelona.
• Masters in Forensic Anthropology and Genetics. Universidad de Granada.
• Certificate of Valoration of Buccodental Damage. Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
• Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Odontology (D-ABFO). American Board of Forensic Odontology.

OTHER COURSES & TRAINNING

• (2012) Human Identification. Forensic Anthropology Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
• (2012) Forensic Taphonomy. Forensic Anthropology Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
• (2012) Advanced Laboratory Methods. Forensic Anthropology Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
• (2012-2013) Study of exhumation of unclaimed human remains in cemetery of Terrassa, Barcelona.
• (2013) Analysis of Bone Trauma and Pseudo-Trauma in Suspected Violent Deaths. Applied Forensic Sciences Dept. Mercyhurst University.
• (2013) Recovery and Interpretation of the Fatal Fire Scene. Applied Forensic Sciences Dept. Mercyhurst University.
• (2016) Visiting Scientist Program in Forensic Anthropology, New York-Office of Chief Medical Examiner (NYC-OCME).
• (2017) 1st Level Workshop in 3D Forensic Facial Reconstruction by Philipe Froesch. Visualforensic, Strasbourg.
• (2018) Forensic Art: Facial Reconstruction Sculpture Workshop by Karen Taylor. Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
• (2019) Dental Age Estimation Workshop. American Board of Forensic Odontology. 71 American Academy of Forensic Science, Baltimore.
• (2019) Interpreting Blunt Force Injuries in Bone: A Hands-On Approach Workshop. 71 American Academy of Forensic Science, Baltimore.
• (2019) The Forensic Pathology of Gunshot Wounds. 71 American Academy of Forensic Science, Baltimore.
• (2019) Forensic Drawing Workshop by Duncan Way. West Palm Beach Sheriff´s Office, West Palm Beach, Florida.
• (2020) Blunt Force Trauma Interpretation. HD Forensics. Anaheim, California.

HONORS & AWARDS

• (2002) Award for the best study in Legal and Forensic Odontology in the year 2002. “DNA mitocondrial en la identificación forense”. Univerisité Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse, France.
• (2010) Award of Joves Dentistes COEC for the study “Dolor Orofacial de Origen Cardíaco”. Barcelona, Spain.
• (2010) Award for the best poster “Pigmentaciones orales: melanosis oral. Revisión bibliográfica y descripción de un caso”. X Congreso SEGER/I Congreso Ibérico de Gerodontología. O´Porto. Portugal.
• (2015) Vidoq Award 3th position in Criminalistics for the article: “Age Estimation”. Valladolid, Spain.
• (2015) Simó Virgili Award for the study: Study of Dental Occlusion in Ancient Human Remains: A Methodological Approach. Odontology and Estomatology Society of Catalonia. Barcelona, Spain.
• (2015) Police Decoration for professional merits for Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Odontology casework with the Police Bronze Medal with Blue Distinctive, Cos Mossos d´Esquadra (Catalonian Police).
• (2016) Ellis Kerley Foundation International Award in Anthropology. United States.
• (2018) Award in Excellence in Forensic Odontology Research. Oral Health and Pharma. UK.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• (2001) Collaboration with the dissection lab practics in the department Anatomy, Structure and Function of the Human Body at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2001) Collaboration with the disection lab practicals for Odontology students in the department Anatomy, Structure and Function of human Body at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2003-2005) Assistant Professor at the Clínica Universitaria d´Odontologia de la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2006-2008) Invited Professor to the Postgraduate course of Odontopediatrics at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2006-2009) Professor for the lab practicals of Cellular and Molecular Biology in PhD and Masters studies at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2007-2009) Professor of Masters in Basic Research in Odontology and Biomedicine. Subjects: “Advanced Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Histology and Microscopy” and “Current Research in Odontology”.
• (2008) Co-thesis advisor with Dr. Magí Brufau for the thesis “Bacterial adhesion to Titanium and Zirconium. Pilot study” of Cristina Corominas.
• (2008-2009) Professor in charge of Cellular and Molecular Biology Techniques in PhD and Masters programs at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2010) Substitute professor of Buccal Medicine. Universitat de Barcelona.
• (2010) Speaker in the course of the Official School of Odontologists and Stomatologist of Cataluña “Forensic Odontology”.
• (2010-2013) Assistant Professor in Oral Medicine. Facultat d´Odontolgia. Universitat de Barcelona.
• (2010-2011) Coordination and teaching of the Postgraduate course in Legal and Forensic Odontology. Facultat de Odontolgía. Universitat de Barcelona.
• (2011-2018) Co-direction and teaching of the Postgraduate course in Legal and Forensic Odontology. Facultat de Odontolgía. Universitat de Barcelona.
• (2010-2018) Coordination and teaching of the Postgraduate course in DVI. Facultat de Medicina. Universitat de Girona.
• (2011-2016) Assistant professor of Legal and Forensic Odontology, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2012) Invited speaker in the course of Paleopathology in Santa Maria de Besora, UAB. Spain.
• (2013) Co-supervision of the PhD dissertation “Levels of mercury in saliva and hair in Peruvian children from Arequipa and Lima”, Armando Villanueva. Barccelona, Spain.
• (2013) Directing and teaching the summer course: Forensic anthropology and identification. Universitat de Girona (UdG). Girona, Spain.
• (2013-2015) Assistant Professor of Forensic Science in Criminology, Odontology and Medicine degrees, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
• (2014-2015) Teacher of Forensic Anthropology in Master in Criminal Profiling, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
• (2014-2017) Field monitor in the course of Paleopathology in Santa Maria de Besora, UAB. Spain.
• (2014-2018): Co-direction and teaching the postgraduate course Forensic Anthropology. Universitat de Girona (UdG). Girona, Spain.
• (2015-2018) Teacher in Forensic Anthropology of the Homicide Investigation, School of Cos de Mossos d´Esquadra, Barcelona, Spain.
• (2016-present) Teacher of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology Workshop in the IAC&ME Annual Training Symposium, International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. Las Vegas, NV, US.
• (2017) Teacher at Seminar “Introducción a las Ciencias Forenses: Disciplinas Emergentes”. Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
• (2017) Teacher of the course in Criminalistics for Guardia Civil. Class: “Conditions of DNA in Bones and Teeth Exposed to Fire”. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
• (2017) Teacher at the Workshop Introduction to Forensic Odontology. 2nd Saudi International Conference of Forensics Medicine and Science. Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• (2017) Teacher at the Workshop Forensic Odontology, Dental Evidence and Human Rights. GCC Forensic Science Conference. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• (2018) Teacher at the Workshop Softwares Used in DVI. III CIDEM: Congresso Internacional de Desastres em Massa. Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.
• (2019) Teacher at the Interdisciplinary Forensic Workshop in “Microbial Forensics”. Florida International University, Miami, Florida, US.
• (2019) Teacher at the Workshop Forensic Anthropology and Odontology: Filling the Knowledge Gap. IAC&ME Annual Training Symposium, International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. Las Vegas, NV, US.
• (2019) Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Forensic Sciences at Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA, US.
• (2019) Instructor of Modern Death Investigation and the Pennsylvania Coroner’s Basic Education Course. Harrisburgh, PA, US.
• (2019-present) Guest lecturer at the Forensic Science BS of university of New Haven New Haven.
• (2018-present) Guest lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Forensic Workshop in “Microbial Forensics”. Online. Florida International University, Miami, Florida, US.
• (2020) Director and Instructor of the Forensic Analysis of Human Dentition. Online Course. HD Forensics.
• (2020-present) Guest lecturer of the Forensic Odontology Master at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Perú.
• (2020) Guest lecturer at the Forensic Science Program of Hofstra University. “Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Odontology: Research and Casework”. Online. New York, US.
• (2021) Instructor of the Fatal Fire Scene Victim Recovery. Online Course. HD Forensics.
• (2021-present) Guest lecturer of the Master in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield University, UK.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• (1998) Research to find new mutations in the enzyme 3-hidroxi-3-methylglutaril Coenzyme A ligase which causes the presence of acid in urine. Research seminar under the supervision of Dr. Núria Casals (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya) and Dr. Juan Pié (Universitat de Zaragoza).
• (1999) Collaboration fellowship in the Department of Anatomy, Structure and Function of the Human Body at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (1999) Research to find new mutations in phosphatase genes Ser/Thr Sit4 and Ppz1. Research seminar under the supervision of Dr. Josep Clotet (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya).
• (2000) Internship in the Department of Anatomy, Structure and Function of the Human Body at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2000) Collaboration fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry of Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2001) Internship in the Department of Anatomy, Structure and Function of the Human Body at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2001) Collaboration fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2001) Research to find new mutations in the osmoresistant genes in S. cereviciae. Research seminar under the supervision of Dr. Josep Clotet, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
• (2009-present) Research collaborator in the Department of Microbial Ecology. Facultat de Ciències. Universitat de Girona.
• (2011-present) GROB member (Osteobiografy Research Group) Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Physical Anthropology Department, Unit of Biological Anthropology, Barcelona, Spain.
• (2013) Research collaboration with University of Tennessee on Thanatomicrobiome.
• (2013) Research collaboration with University of Tennessee on cranial traits for sex estimation.
• (2014) Research collaboration with Europol on Improvised Explosive Devices.
• (2014) Research collaboration with Mercyhurst University on Burnt Remains.
• (2016-2017) Research collaboration with Memora Funeral Homes on Cremains.
• (2018-2019) Postdoc Forensic Anthropologist. Operation Identification (OpID). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
• (2019-present) Assistant Professor. Department of Applied Forensic Science. Mercyhurst University, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Board Activity in Scientific Journals

Member of Board of Editors of Life: The Excitement of Biology (LEB)
Member of Board of Editors of Austin Anthropology Journal.
Member of Board of Editors of Mathews Journal of Forensic Research.
Member of the Editorial Board of Annals of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology.
Member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Forensic Medicine Forecast.

Paper Review Activity

(2010-present) Reviewer of the Spanish Journal of Legal Medicine.
(2013-present) Reviewer of PLOS ONE eISSN-1932-6203.
(2013-present) Reviewer of The Journal of American Dental Association. (2016-present) Reviewer of Archives of Oral Biology.
(2017-present) Reviewer of Forensic Science International..
(2017-present) Reviewer of Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
(2017-present) Reviewer of Annals of Forensic Research and Analysis.

Scientific Associations Activity

Member of the DVI Forensic Odontology Sub-working Group. INTERPOL.
Member of the DVI Forensic Pathology/Anthropology Sub-working Group. INTERPOL.
Fellow of International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME).
Member of the Board of Directors of International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME).
Member of the American Association of Forensic Odontology (ASFO).
Member of the Board of Governors of American Society of Forensic Odontology (ASFO).
Editor of the American Society of Forensic Odontology (ASFO) Newsletter.
Member of the American Dental Association Standards Committee on Dental Informatics-Forensics (ADA/OSAC).
Member of Human Identification Committee of the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO).
Member of Image Series Committee of the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO).
Member of Dental Age Estimation Committee of the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO).
Member of the COVID-19 Student Workgroup Committee of Mercyhurst University.
Member of the COVID-19 Testing Strategies Committee of Mercyhurst University.
Member of the COVID-19 Task Force Committee of Mercyhurst University.
Secretary of the OSAC Working Group in Forensic Odontology (ADA/OSAC).

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Spanish: Written and spoken.
Catalan: Written and spoken.
English: Written and spoken.
French: Written and spoken.

(2016) Spanish translation of OdontoSearch
(2017) Spanish translation of Image Series 4