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Provides Testimony In

Forensic Scientist, Forensic Science, Evidence Analysis, Trace Analysis, Paint Analysis, Glass Analysis, Filaments Analysis, Fibers Analysis, Footwear Analysis, Explosive Residue Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Electron Microscopy, Crime Scene Search Soil Analysis, Drug Analysis, Polarized Light microscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Stereochemistry, Synthesis, Chemist, Chemistry, Criminalities, DEA, NFSTC, Trace Evidence, FBI, MSU, Decomposed Human Remains, Confocal Microscopy, paint Data Query, Tire Impression Evidence, Wood Identification, Airbag Examination, Soil Examination, Separation Techniques, Morphology, Pyrotechnics, Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography,

Experience

2003-Present
President & Forensic Scientist
Forensic Science Consultants Forensic Testing Services Williamston, MI
1990 – 2011 Forensic Scientist
Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory
Lansing, MI
1988-1990
Forensic Chemist
Drug Enforcement Administration Western Laboratory
San Francisco, CA

President and chief forensic scientist of ISO 17025 accredited private forensic laboratory and ISO 17043 accredited provider of proficiency tests to approximately 200 forensic laboratories worldwide. Expert in the analysis of trace evidence, including paint, glass, filaments, fibers, footwear and explosive residue as well as quantitative and qualitative analysis of suspected controlled substances. Proficient in many analytical methods such as GC-MS, SEM-EDS, FTIR, HPLC, IC and GC as well as wet chemistry. Testified over 250 times in federal and state courts in eight different states and Canada in relation to these analyses. Assisted and advised various federal and state authorities on trace evidence examination, report writing, crime scene reconstruction, clandestine drug laboratory investigations and other enforcement activities.

Recipient of the 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Paul L. Kirk Award. This award is the highest honor given by the Criminalistics Section of the Academy.
Past-President of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE).
Past-President of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS).
Recipient of the 2003 Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists “Outstanding Scientist” Award.
One of fifteen forensic scientists selected to the Organization of Scientific Area Committee (OSAC) Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis Committee. This committee oversees the development and promulgation of forensic science consensus documentary standards and guidelines in the areas of Materials (Trace Evidence), Drug Analysis, Toxicology, Geology, Fire Debris and Explosives, and Gunshot Residue. OSAC is an initiative by the National Institute of Standards and the Department of Justice to strengthen forensic science in the United States and ensure that a sufficient scientific basis exists for each discipline.
One of ten forensic scientists selected to the Scientific Working Group for Materials Analysis (SWGMAT) Paint Subgroup, which produced international guidelines for forensic paint examination.
Forensic expert in many high profile forensic cases, including the re-examination of fiber evidence in the West Memphis Three case (AR), the Ricky Holland homicide case (MI), the Tehrankari homicide case (ON) and the Coprez Coffie civil trial (IL).
Developed report writing/significance guidelines for trace evidence adopted by many forensic laboratories worldwide; including disciplines in the FBI Laboratory and the BKA in Germany.
Chair of the SWGMAT Ad-Hoc Report Writing Committee
Reviewer in the “NIJ Basic and Applied Research in Forensic Science” grant program.
Former editor of the Journal of the American Association of Trace Evidence Analysts (JASTEE), a peer reviewed research publication.
Statewide coordinator for Michigan State Police for bloodstain pattern analysis, 2004-2006.
Responsible for method development for trace evidence and drug analysis.
Frequently processed crime scenes and has participated in clandestine laboratory raids.
Presented forensic research regarding drug analysis, paint analysis, fiber analysis, glass analysis, soil analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, scanning electron microscopy, crime scene search, report writing, significance, stereochemistry and clandestine laboratories through peer reviewed scientific journals and/or scientific meetings.
Instructor in the Michigan State Police detective and crime scene technician programs.

1998 Adjunct Professor
2002-2004 Michigan State University Forensic Science Program
2007-2008 Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, MI

Instructor of graduate level courses in forensic science, the analysis of controlled substances, trace evidence and polarized light microscopy. Areas emphasized in the courses included various forms of microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, stereochemistry and synthesis. Served on numerous master thesis committees.

Education

Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science 2001
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Bachelor of Science Degree, Dual Major:
Chemistry & Criminalistics 1988
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Affiliations

American Association of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE), Past- President
Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS), Past-President Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis SAC Member 2014-2019
Scientific Working Group for Materials Analysis (SWGMAT), Paint Subgroup Member 2004-2014
American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners, Founding Member American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), Fellow American Chemical Society (ACS), Member

Certifications/Honors

AAFS Paul L. Kirk Award Recipient, 2016
MAFS Outstanding Scientist Award Recipient, 2003
MSP Professional Excellence Award Recipient, 2002, 2008 IAI Certification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, 2003-2018 IAI Certification in Footwear Examination, 2004-2019
Midwest Forensic Resource Center Research Grant Recipient 2005-2006

Meetings

MAFS meetings 1999, 2003-2012, 2014-2015, 2017-2018
AAFS meetings 1991-1992, 1999-2007, 2015-2017, 2019
CLIC seminars 1994-1996

Selected Teaching/Presentations/Publications

Instructor: DEA Clandestine Laboratory Safety Certification, Salt Lake City, UT, 1990 Instructor: MSP Supervisory Development Program, 1996-1998
Instructor: MSP Evidence Technician/ Detective Schools, 1998-2003 Instructor: MSP Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshops, 2005-2006
Instructor: MAFS/MFRC Scanning Electron Microscopy Workshop, Ames, IA, 2005 Board Member: MAFS 2004-2005, 2006-2009
Board Member: ASTEE 2009-2013
Chair: MAFS Training & Education Committee, 2004-2006 Chair: MAFS Trace Evidence Section 2009-2011
Coordinator: Science Crime Event, MI Science Olympiad 1993-1998
Coordinator: MAFS Paint Examination & Comparison Workshop, Lansing, MI, 2003, 2008 Coordinator: MAFS LA-ICP-MS of Glass Workshop, E. Lansing, MI, 2005
Coordinator: MAFS Chemistry of Pyrotechnics Workshop, Lansing, MI, 2006 Coordinator/Speaker: MAFS Advanced Trace Evidence Symposium, Ames, IA, 2006
Moderator: GHB Symposium, 2000 American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting, Reno, NV

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