Expert Details
Forensic DNA analysis, Serology, Paternity, DNA typing, DNA profiling, DNA extraction
ID: 729973
California, USA
Ms. Expert has testified as an expert witness in the field of forensic DNA and serology over 45 times in eight states for both the prosecution and the defense. In addition, Expert has acted as an adjunct professor - teaching Forensic Serology and DNA, Advanced Criminalistics, and Introduction to Criminalistics - at several higher education institutions.
As part of her consulting business, Ms. Expert reviews DNA case files for technical accuracy, chain of custody documentation, and other forensic issues. She is also available to observe DNA testing of samples at government or private laboratories, aid in the preparation of cross-examination questions, review audit and other documentation, and provide expert testimony when needed.
Ms. Expert has worked with multiple Public Defender's offices and Alternate Public Defenders in the state of California and beyond. Recent consulting experience including case review, review of lab policies and procedures, review of audit documents, and review of laboratory corrective action reports helped lead to a hung jury in a serious criminal case in Orange County, CA.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1999 | Degree: MS | Subject: Forensic Science | Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Year: 1997 | Degree: BS | Subject: Biology | Institution: Lock Haven University of PA |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2008 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner/Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provide forensic serology and DNA consulting services to attorneys, private investigators, and members of law enforcement. Review serology and DNA case files and electronic DNA data for technical accuracy to confirm proper procedures were followed and results are accurate. Ensure that appropriate evidence was tested and that the chain of custody was maintained throughout.Also available for educational seminars, observation of consumptive DNA testing, evidence collection, preparation of cross-examination materials, and other DNA consulting needs. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2010 | Employer: National University | Title: Adjunct Professor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Ms. Expert created the course syllabus and all test materials for a course entitled “Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA” for the Master of Forensic Science program at National University and for an online course entitled “Advanced Criminalistics” for the Master of Forensic Science program at National University. She instructed students on techniques of serological testing, sperm cell identification, and hair identification as well as all aspects of forensic DNA analysis including historical techniques. Expert was also responsible for designing laboratory exercises to augment student learning in the Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA course. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2006 to 2008 | Employer: Crime Scene Technologies | Title: Forensic DNA Technical Leader & Quality Assurance Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:As Technical Leader of a start-up private DNA laboratory, Ms. Expert was responsible for maintaining ASCLD/LAB accreditation of the laboratory, writing and revising laboratory methods and quality assurance procedures, devising and performing validation studies for new serology and DNA methodologies. Ms. Expert was also responsible for reviewing all other analyst's work and was responsible for all technical aspects of the lab including troubleshooting problems.In addition, Expert performed forensic serology and DNA casework including screening evidence items for the presence of blood, semen, urine, and saliva, performing STR DNA typing on evidentiary items submitted to the lab utilizing Organic, Chelex, and DNA IQ extraction methods with Quantifiler quantitation and electrophoresis on an ABI 310 with analysis using GeneMapper ID. In addition, Ms. Expert validated and was fully trained to use and interpret YFiler, and Minifiler amplification kits. During her time as Technical Leader, Ms. Expert also wrote detailed reports based upon her findings, interpreted DNA mixtures, calculated statistical conclusions and testified in court as an expert witness when needed. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2005 to 2006 | Employer: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Crime Laboratory | Title: Criminalist II | Department: |
Responsibilities:During her tenure at the CMPD crime lab, Ms. Expert screened evidence items for the presence of blood, semen, and saliva, performed microscopic examination of hairs, performed STR DNA typing on evidence and reference items utilizing PowerPlex 16 amplification kits, entered qualifying profiles in the CODIS database, technically reviewed other analyst’s work, and wrote reports based upon her findings and testified in court when neededMs. Expert also attended Homicide Investigators morning meetings to render assistance when needed |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2005 to 2005 | Employer: Hillsborough Community College | Title: Adjunct Intructor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Ms. Expert created and taught a course entitled “Introduction to Criminalistics” for two semesters. This course provided an overview of multiple forensic disciplines including: blood spatter analysis, latent printidentification, firearms identification, crime scene analysis techniques, fiber and hair testing, glass and soil testing, and serology and DNA typing. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2002 to 2005 | Employer: Florida Department of Law Enforcement | Title: Crime Laboratory Analyst | Department: Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center |
Responsibilities:At FDLE, Expert received complete training in serological testing techniques. She performed serology and STR DNA testing on evidence submitted by agencies in 18 counties and utilized Profiler Plus and COfiler amplification kits with analysis on ABI 310, AB 3100 and AB 3130 genetic analyzers. She attended crime scenes when requested, provided training to investigators and attorneys on Forensic Serology and DNA capabilities and attended Cold Case Squad meetings to answer biological evidence-based questions.Ms. Expert completed testing on over 1000 cases during her time at FDLE and she wrote case reports based upon her findings and testified in depositions and in court as an expert witness when needed. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1999 to 2002 | Employer: The Bode Technology Group, Inc. | Title: Forensic DNA Analyst I/II | Department: |
Responsibilities:At Bode, Ms. Expert received on-the-job training in STR DNA typing techniques and performed STR DNA testing on evidence and reference samples. She utilized PowerPlex 1.1, 2.1, Profiler Plus and COfiler amplification kits with electrophoresis performed on the FMBIO II or ABI 377 followed by analysis with STaRCall software or GeneScan/Genotyper.In addition, Ms. Expert managed a project in conjunction with the International Commission on Missing Persons to help identify remains found in mass graves in Bosnia and she assisted with mass disaster identification projects such as the Alaska Air flight 261 crash in 2000 and the World Trade Center disaster on 09/11/01. Ms Expert also wrote reports and testified in court as an expert witness when |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2002 to 2005 | Agency: Florida Department of Law Enforcement | Role: Crime Laboratory Analyst | Description: Performed forensic serology and DNA analysis for the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center. |
| Years: 2005 to 2006 | Agency: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Crime Laboratory | Role: Criminalist II | Description: Performed forensic serology and DNA analysis. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| American Academy of Forensic Sciences |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Awarded the 2004 Davis Productivity Award from the State of Florida; Awarded a commendation from the Sarasota Police Department, March 2005. |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| Ms. Expert was published in the July 2002 Journal of Forensic Sciences. In addition, she wrote a monthly column for Lawofficer.com in 2008-2009 and was published twice in the print version of the magazine. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Ms. Expert has testified in criminal depositions over 20 times and in civil depositions twice. She has over 45 criminal trial experiences testifying as an expert in forensic serology and DNA analysis. She has been accepted as an expert and testified in the States of California, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Rhode Island (Superior and Supreme Court), Texas, Washington, and Florida (in Alachua, Polk, Pinellas, Pasco, Duval, Citrus, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Hernando, Highlands, Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties and Federal Court in Tampa). She has testified for both the prosecution and the defense. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Ms. Expert has given multiple presentation over her career to law enforcement personell, forensic nurses, Assistant State Attorneys, paralegals, and defense attorenys. Her latest presentations were: - "Understanding DNA Evidence; Why It Is Important To Do a Case Review”,presented at the National Defender Investigator Association, West Regional Conference, September 17th, 2009 - “Defense Attorneys Guide to Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis” presented at the San Diego Public Defender’s Office, Vista, California, October 21st, 2009. - "Defense Attorneys and Paralegals Guide to Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis" presented at the National Defender Investigator Association National Conference, April 9, 2010 In addition, Ms. Expert has worked with the Virtual Learning and Training Academy (vleta.net) to provide online training programs in topics such as DNA collection, DNA extraction and analysis, Understanding the CODIS database, and Familial DNA testing. |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences since 2000 |