Provides Opinion & Testimony In:
Forensic Science, Forensic Medicine, Bloodspatter Interpretation, Hair Fiber Analysis, Soil Geologic Materials, Forensic Geology, Latent Fingerprint Examination Comparison, Questioned Document Examination specifically handwriting, no ink examinations, Pattern Injury Analysis, Wound Identification, Time of Death Determinations, Drowning Death Investigations, Death Investigations, Elder Abuse Child Abuse Investigations, Laboratory Science, Soil Analysis, Soil Chemistry Profile Examinations, Trace Evidence Analysis, Mishap Site Investigations, Aircraft Accidents Investigations, Engineering Accidents Investigations, Gemstones, Minerology
Education
1990 - 1993, The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, OH
Doctor of Philosophy Major: Forensic Science, Minor: Forensic Geology
1989 - 1991, University Of New Haven, West Haven, CT
Master of Science, Major: Forensic Science/Advanced Investigation
2002 - 2006, Catholic Distance University, Hamilton, VA
Master of Arts, Theology
1984 - 1987, George Washington University , Washington, DC
Bachelor of Science, Major: Health Sciences, Minor: Radiation Health Physics
2001 - 2002, Herbal Healer Academy, Mt. View, AZ
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Completed training in various forms of naturopathic medicine, including herbal medicine and toxicology, acupuncture, homeopathy and other modalities
Professional Experience
02/2011 - Present A PRIVATE FORENSICS COMPANY Annandale, VA.
Forensic Consultant
Serve as a multi-discipline forensic scientist and consultant. Fields of expertise include areas involving forensic laboratory analysis, crime scene investigation, crime scene reconstruction, forensic geology, latent print collection and identification, gemstone identification and grading.
10/2009 - 02/2011 US Customs and Border Protection Springfield, VA.
Forensic Scientist
Assigned to the Research Laboratory of the US Customs and Border Protection Laboratory and Scientific Services Division as a forensic scientist. Duties include the research and development of forensic analytical methods employing various instrumental methods, including GC/MS, FTIR, UV/VIS, ICP/MS and microscopy methods. Perform casework examinations submitted by US Customs and Border Patrol officers and agents with a special focus on forensic geology and gemological analysis.
05/2005 - 10/2009 Prince William County Police Dept. Manassas, VA
Crime Scene Analyst/Police Officer
Assigned to the Identification Bureau as a Crime Scene Analyst. Duties include the identification, documentation and collection of forensic evidence in major case investigations including the analysis of certain types of evidence and interpreting their significance. Also serve as a sworn police officer within this agency and perform various law enforcement duties as directed.
03/1996 - 05/2005 Fauquier County Sheriffs Office Warrenton, VA
Detective Sergeant /Forensic Scientist
Assigned to the Major Crimes Section of the Criminal Investigations Division. Investigate criminal offenses ranging from homicide/death investigations, automobile and equipment larceny, burglary, fraud, sex offenses and other cases as directed. Also developed, designed and implemented the Forensic Evaluation Unit and am responsible for the examination of hair, fiber, soil, glass, questioned documents, latent fingerprints and other forensic evidence in support of criminal investigations.
11/1993 - 10/1996 Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Washington, DC
Forensic Scientist/Deputy Medical Examiner/Command Senior Enlisted Advisor
Assigned as the Chief of the Trace Materials Analysis Laboratory of the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. Of arrival at this command I designed and formulated the laboratory, developed its directives and managed its budget. Responsible for the examination of hair, fiber, soil, glass, questioned documents, latent fingerprints and other forensic evidence/trace evidence in support of criminal investigations. Directly responsible for the supervision of other forensic scientists assigned to the laboratory and also responsible for the direction of graduate students working on Master’s Theses in the area of Forensic Science. Also served as a medicolegal death investigator both in field operations and in the autopsy suite during postmortem examinations. Also responsible for lectures and training programs given to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and provided mutual-aid assistance to local and federal civilian jurisdictions in forensic investigations. As Command Senior Enlisted Advisor I was responsible for the leadership of 40 enlisted U.S. Navy service members, which included matters concerning discipline, evaluations, logistics, watchbills, counseling and other administrative functions.
04/1991 - 11/1993 Naval Hospital, New London Submarine Base Groton, CT
Department Chief
Directed the Education and Training Division for a large hospital of 600 staff members. Directly responsible for the Professional Lecture Program (CME) for staff physicians and coordinated all required annual training for nurses and ancillary staff. Also served as a forensic consultant for the hospital clinics and Emergency Room. Also served as a field medic as part of Joint Task Force-Full Accounting, which was responsible for the location and repatriation of POW/MIA remains from the Republic of Vietnam.
07/1982 - 04/1991 Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic Fleet Groton, CT
Medical Department Representative
Functioned as the Shipboard Medical Officer onboard nuclear submarines. Provide diagnostic and therapeutic medical care and emergency dentistry for crewmembers onboard nuclear submarines. Also served as the Radiation Health Physicist and was responsible for the radiation monitoring programs and other health surveillance programs. While attached to the USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) was also assigned as the Ships Intelligence Officer.
7/1980 - 06/1982, City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Dept., Los Angeles, CA
Deputy Park Ranger
Served as a uniformed deputy Park Ranger within the 135 parks located in and around Los Angeles, including Griffith Park, the Griffith Park Observatory and the Los Angeles Zoo. Duties included patrol and security of the park grounds, interpretive hikes with park visitors, fire suppression and emergency medical care. Received extensive exposure to various naturalist programs including geologic interpretations, taxonomy of flora and fauna and how they all interrelate in a large urban park setting.
7/1976 - 7/1980, United States Navy, Various Duty Stations
Hospital Corpsman
Served as a hospital corpsman assigned to various U.S. Marine and other operational units throughout the United States and abroad. Responsible for the initial care and treatment of illnesses and injuries to operational forces in various environments, which included routine sick call and preventive medicine practices.
Academic Positions
2008 - 2011 Prince William Forest Park Triangle, VA.
Paleontologist/Research Geologist
Conducting field surveys for identification and classification of fossilized wood and the associated strata; data to be used for ongoing education programs and museum displays. Developing a field study program for high school students examining the effects of high sulfite levels from a closed pyrite mine within the park on the surrounding watershed and ecosystem.
1993 - 2003, Northern Virginia Community College Woodbridge, VA
Adjunct Professor
Conduct classes for undergraduate students in various aspects of forensic science and forensic medicine. Classes include analysis of hair, fibers, soil, glass, arson, toolmarks, biological materials/DNA, introductory forensic medicine and advanced crime scene investigation.
1995 – 1997 University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
Taught undergraduate courses in Evidence Analysis and Death Investigations. Courses included laboratory sessions for all students.
1996 - 1997, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
Conducted courses for Graduate Students in forensic science, Laboratory classes included forensic chemistry, soil and glass analysis and forensic microscopy.
1995 - 2000, GeoSearch Geology Services, Culpeper, VA
Geologist
Serve as a field geologist and physical scientist for a private forensic and environmental analysis company. Responsible for the collection, classification, analysis and interpretation of soils, plants, entomologic specimens and other biological entities as they relate to forensic and environmental investigations and how these various systems interrelate with one another.
1991 - 1993, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Groton, CT
Instructor/Consultant
Instructed federal agents on crime scene investigation, processing and collecting evidence and performing advanced analytical techniques. Served as an on-call advisor for major crimes investigations.
1989 - 1991, Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic, CT
Geologist/Naturalist
Conducted geology/nature-oriented lectures. Lectured on physical geology, plate tectonics, volcanism, seismology, landform analysis and mineral identification.
1988 - 1990, Thames Science Center, New London, CT
Geologist/Naturalist
Lectured on local geology and related fields. Conducted classes in rock and mineral analysis as well as field identification of rocks types.
Professional Memberships
2009 to 02/2011 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Associate Member
1990 to Present Virginia Homicide Investigators Association, Charter Member
1993 to Present American Academy of Forensic Science, Associate Member, Criminalistics Section
1995 to Present American College of Forensic Examiners, Fellow
1995 to 2011 International Association for Identification, Member
2008 to 2011 International Association for Identification - Chesapeake Bay Division – Member
1997 to Present American Board of Forensic Medicine, Diplomate
1997 to Present American Society of Forensic Geologists, Fellow
1990 to Present Geological Society of America, Member
Master Scuba Diver, N.A.U.I., 1980 to present
Public Safety Diver, P.A.D.I., 2000 to present
Certifications and Additional Training
Fundamentals of Handwriting Examination, 2008, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia
Basic and Advanced Medicolegal Death Investigations, 1993, St. Louis University School of Medicine
Forensic Document Examination, Basic and Advanced Training with Internship, Andrew Bradley and Associates, 1995 to 1996.
Fingerprint Comparison and Identification, Latent Fingerprint Processing and Latent Fingerprint Identification and Comparison, 1995, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
Certified Law Enforcement Officer/Deputy Sheriff, Department of Criminal Justice Services, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1997 to Present.
****Numerous other certificates and training sessions in forensic science and forensic medicine available for review.
Presented Papers and Invited Lecturers
Available upon request.
Publications
Available upon request.
Security Clearance
Possess current Secret clearance while performing duties as contract investigator for OMNISEC International, have possessed Secret Clearance during military service, with Top Secret/SCI (Interim) while assigned to nuclear submarine duty.
Awards Received
Fellow, American College of Forensic Examiners
Fellow, American Society of Forensic Geologists
Graduated Magna cum Laude from George Washington University, 1987
Graduated Summa cum Laude from Catholic Distance University, 2007
Member, Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society, 2007 to Present
Languages
Conversational in Spanish.
