Forensics Talks: Recent Episodes
Eugene Liscio
Forensics Talks is a series of interviews with Forensic Professionals from different disciplines around the globe. Learn about science, technology and important cases where Forensics Science has played an important role.
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In this episode of Forensics Talks, we're tuning in to the science of sound with Henry Vega, Forensic Engineer at JS Forensics Consulting.
Henry will walk us through how dashcam audio recordings can be used to calculate vehicle speed, how tire frequencies are analyzed in real-world crash cases, and how firearm discharges captured on officer bodycams are helping uncover key evidence. We'll also explore his collaborations with experts around the world pushing the boundaries of audio-based forensic reconstruction.
If you’ve ever wondered how much information is hidden in a sound file — this is the episode for you.
Originally aired on: August 7, 2025
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Injury Mechanics & Forensic Science | EP110 | Lisa P. Gwin | July 10, 2025 | 2 PM Eastern
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Lisa P. Gwin — a biomechanical consultant, physician, engineer, and former firefighter. With a background that spans emergency medicine, automotive engineering, and injury biomechanics, Lisa brings a truly unique perspective to forensic investigations.
In this episode, we’ll explore how biomechanics helps answer key questions in injury cases: What caused the injury? Was it consistent with the reported event? How do forces interact with the human body? We’ll also discuss the critical role of expert witnesses in court and Lisa’s reflections as she prepares to retire from an extraordinary career.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the most well-rounded experts in the field of forensic biomechanics.
Originally aired on: July 10, 2025
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Geographic Profiling | EP109 | Douglas MacGregor | June 26, 2025 | 2 PM Eastern
Join us for Episode 109 of Forensics Talks as we welcome Douglas MacGregor, consultant and IRIS team member, who brings deep expertise in environmental criminology and forensic intelligence analysis. In this session, we’ll explore how geographic profiling helps investigate serial and violent crime, locate missing persons, and support complex investigations involving human trafficking, organized crime, and cold cases.
Douglas will walk us through the practical applications of geographic, spatial, and behavioral data in law enforcement. From crime mapping to locating human remains, learn how these advanced strategies are shaping the future of investigative support and public safety.
Originally aired on: June 26, 2025
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HemoVision | EP108 | Philip Joris | Jun 5 2025 | 2 PM Eastern
Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of forensic science, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Machine Learning with Philip Joris, co-founder of Forentrics and developer of HemoVision, an advanced tool for bloodstain pattern analysis.
In this episode, we’ll explore how Philip’s background in electronics, AI, and medical imaging led to the creation of powerful computational tools for crime scene investigation. Learn how HemoVision supports investigators in reconstructing bloodstain patterns, enhancing objectivity, and visualizing complex scenes with cutting-edge technology.
Don’t miss this conversation on the future of digital forensics, the evolution of BPA, and the role of AI in modern crime scene reconstruction.
Originally Aired on: June 5, 2025
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Death at High Altitude | EP107 | Dr. Robert Kurtzman
Join us for a compelling discussion with Dr. Robert Kurtzman, forensic pathologist and former Montana State Chief Medical Examiner, as we explore the challenges of conducting forensic death investigations in high-altitude environments. From hypoxia-induced conditions like HAPE and HACE to other conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning or lightning strikes, Dr. Kurtzman will walk us through the forensic complexities of high altitude deaths and how these unique environments have effects on decomposition and casework.
Don't miss this episode as we examine the physiological, pathological, and investigative factors surrounding altitude-related fatalities — and why proper scene context, medical history, and postmortem practices are essential to determine the correct cause and manner of death.
Originally aired on May 15 2025 | 2 PM Eastern
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BPA Black Box Study | EP106 | Kevin Winer | OCT 24 2024 | 1PM
Join us for Episode 106 of Forensics Talks on October 24, 2024, at 1PM Eastern Time, featuring Kevin Winer, Director of the Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory. With decades of expertise in bloodstain pattern analysis, Kevin will delve deep into the findings of the NOBLIS Black Box Study on the accuracy and reproducibility of conclusions by forensic bloodstain pattern analysts.
This landmark study reveals critical insights into the complexities and challenges faced by analysts in interpreting bloodstain patterns at crime scenes, shedding light on the pressing need for improved standards and practices in forensic science.
You don't want to miss this enlightening discussion that not only explores the intricate details of forensic bloodstain analysis but also raises vital questions about the reliability of forensic evidence used in courtrooms. Whether you're a forensic professional, student, or simply a science enthusiast, this episode will equip you with a better understanding of the forensic world and its impact on justice.
Originally aired on: October 24, 2024
Privately Manufactured Firearms | EP 105 | Kirk Garrison | SEP 26 2024 | 2PM Eastern
Join us for Episode 105 of Forensics Talks on September 26, 2024, at 2 PM Eastern, as we dive into the complex world of privately manufactured firearms with Kirk Garrison of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
With a diverse background starting in Biology to teaching and then transitioning into law enforcement and forensics, Kirk brings a unique perspective to the table. Starting his forensic journey in California in 2013, he has climbed the ranks from managing an evidence room to becoming an expert in firearms and toolmarks at the county crime lab.
In this episode Kirk will share his experience with "80% kits" and the emerging challenges posed by 3D-printed firearms components, such as "Glock-switches." His work in the firearms and toolmarks unit has also led him to explore innovative forensic techniques, including the analysis of nozzle marks from 3D-printed parts to determine their reproducibility.
Kirk's ongoing research and his efforts to publish findings on the use of the Unified Score for NIBIN correlation reviews highlight the evolving nature of firearm forensics.
Tune in as we explore how these developments affect law enforcement and public safety, and what measures can be taken to regulate and track privately manufactured firearms effectively.
ForensicsTalks #KirkGarrison #FirearmForensics #3DPrinting #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #Episode105
Originally aired on: September 26, 2024
Forensic Audio Analysis | EP 104 | David Notowitz | SEP 19 2024 | 2PM Eastern
David Notowitz, a seasoned expert in forensic audio analysis and is the founder and lead forensic expert of the National Center for Audio and Video Forensics in Los Angeles, has dedicated over three decades to advancing the field of digital forensics. His expertise lies in uncovering truths hidden within audio and video recordings, which plays a crucial role in both criminal investigations and civil proceedings.
David's extensive career includes collaborations with law enforcement agencies and legal teams across the globe, where he applies his skills in extracting, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence. His work not only aids in solving cases but also focuses on educating legal professionals and the public about the importance and intricacies of digital evidence. As a passionate advocate for truth, David regularly engages in public speaking to share his knowledge and insights on the impact of technology on justice and media integrity.
In this episode, David will discuss the challenges and advancements in forensic audio analysis, the tools and techniques that are at the forefront of the field, and his experiences with high-profile cases. Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of forensic audio analysis, where every sound tells a story.
Originally aired on: September 19, 2024
Forensics Talks Episode 103: Digital Intelligence with Jean-Philippe Noat
Join us on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 2 PM Eastern for an engaging episode of Forensics Talks! We're excited to welcome Jean-Philippe Noat, a renowned international cyber security and forensic expert. Jean-Philippe has extensive experience as a Digital Intelligence Specialist at Cellebrite and as CEO of Uriel Expert.
In this episode, we'll dive into the security of apps like WhatsApp and Signal, plus discuss intricacies of digital intelligence and explore the pivotal role in modern that digital intelligence has in forensics. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's leading experts.
Originally aired on: July 4, 2024
Digital Signatures | EP 102 | Nikolaos Kalantzis | June 13, 2024 | 2PM Eastern
Several months ago, I was invited to a conference in Romania where I saw Nikolaos Kalantzis present some of his research on Digital Signatures. It was a really impressive talk and we had some great discussions about his work. Today, I am happy to say he is my next guest on Forensics Talks!
With a distinguished career that spans forensic handwriting and document examination, Nikolaos has developed a profound expertise in digitally captured signatures, a crucial area in modern forensic science. Starting his training in 2001 and currently serving as a private forensic examiner, Nikolaos has provided expert testimony in various international courts and has been an active researcher and educator in the field.
This episode titled "Investigating Digital Signatures", will delve into how Nikolaos applies his knowledge to the challenges within digital signatures which are becoming more relevant as digital transactions become increasingly prevalent.
Don’t miss this fascinating discussion on the forensic aspects of digital signatures and their implications for security and legal processes in our increasingly digital world.
Originally aired on: June 13, 2024
Join us for episode 101 of Forensics Talks on May 30, 2024, at 2 PM Eastern, where we'll dive into the fascinating world of forensic geophysics and NecroSearch with Clark Davenport. With a distinguished career spanning over 55 years, Clark has conducted remote-sensing surveys across six continents for criminal, environmental, and archaeological investigations.
As a co-founder and active member of NecroSearch International, Clark has revolutionized the field by assisting law enforcement in locating clandestine graves and hidden evidence. Since 1987, his pioneering work in remote sensing has contributed to more than 100 criminal investigations in 32 states and 7 countries, offering invaluable support to agencies including the FBI, US Secret Service, and international law enforcement bodies.
In this episode Clark will share insights from his extensive experience using remote sensing and geophysical techniques to uncover what lies hidden beneath the surface. His expertise not only helps solve crimes but also brings closure to families affected by unresolved cases.
Tune in and contribute to the discussion as we explore the science behind finding clandestine graves and the profound impact of NecroSearch on forensic investigations.
Originally aired on: May 30, 2024
Join us for the milestone 100th episode of Forensics Talks on Thursday May 9, 2024, at 14:00 Eastern, where we welcome Gary Delaney, a seasoned Geospatial Forensic Expert Witness. With an extensive background beginning in the Royal Navy and spanning over two decades in geomatics and geodesy, Gary has become a pivotal figure in forensic geospatial analysis, particularly in criminal investigations. His expertise in managing high-stakes survey campaigns and developing the innovative "Loc8 Code" geocoding system has solidified his reputation. His work greatly assists law enforcement agencies in solving complex cases through precise geospatial technology. An elected Fellow of several prestigious institutes, Gary's episode titled "Geospatial Forensics" will delve into how geospatial technologies profoundly impact forensic science and law enforcement.
Originally Aired: May 9, 2024
Join us for episode #99 of Forensics Talks on March 14 at 2 PM Eastern, as we delve into the forefront of forensic biology with Dr. Nicole Novroski from the University of Toronto, Mississauga. Dr. Novroski, specializes in leveraging massively parallel sequencing (MPS) alongside innovative approaches for forensic human identity testing. This episode will explore her work on unearthing previously uncharacterized genetic markers for enhanced DNA mixture de-convolution and her research in identifying distant relatives through benchtop-scale sequencing. Dr. Novroski's current endeavors also include the exploration of computational biology for forensic genetic data analysis, microbial forensics, and advanced DNA methodologies for missing persons and unidentified human remains investigations. Tune in as we uncover the intricacies of DNA sequencing and its profound implications for forensic science, public safety, and beyond!
Originally aired on: Mar 14, 2024
I am honored to feature Lt. Col. Mark Davison of the Connecticut State Police in our next episode of Forensics Talks. With 17 years of service, primarily in Major Crime, Mark brings an in-depth perspective on the forensic investigation of the Sandy Hook school shooting that occurred on December 14, 2012. This tragic event shook the nation, and through Mark's expertise, we'll gain understanding into the complex process of investigating such a devastating incident. Join us for this profound discussion on the challenges and insights derived from the forensic examination of one of the most heartrending episodes in recent history.
Originally aired on: Feb 8, 2024
Join us on February 1, 2024, at 2 PM Eastern for an intriguing Forensics Talks episode, EP 96, with Sarah Williams, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Williams, a leading figure in forensic biology, has pioneered advancements in body fluid identification and DNA analysis. This episode will delve into her groundbreaking research on Raman Spectroscopy and microRNA, her experience as a forensic scientist, and her role in educating the next generation of forensic experts. Don't miss this deep dive into the science of bodily fluids with Sarah Williams!
Originally aired on: Feb 1, 2024
Michael Moulden is a seasoned Fire Scene and Chartered Crime Scene investigator with over 30 years of experience, having conducted 1000+ investigations globally. Holding a master's degree in forensic engineering and science from the Royal Military College, Mike is an Honorary Fellow at Cranfield University and a senior research fellow at the University of Exeter. Currently, he serves as a Crime Scene Science and Fire Investigation expert at the Naif Arab University for Security Science (NAUSS) in Riyadh, contributing to training, research, consultancy, and casework. Mike's diverse career includes roles with EFI Global and Zetetech Forensic Investigations, with notable investigations such as the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Grenfell Tower, and the German Wings Mass Homicide. His commitment extends to volunteering with Geoscope Services, aiding in the forensic recovery of Allied POW/MIA war casualties. Mike's international impact encompasses five tours in Afghanistan, mentoring a crime scene investigation unit for the Afghan Ministry of Interior, and providing training to Ukrainian Law Enforcement. A dedicated educator, he continues to deliver crime scene documentation training for the Institute of International Criminal Investigations (IICI) based in the Hague, making Mike a distinguished speaker for our Forensics Talks program.
Originally aired on: Jan 18, 2023
Husam Shbib is currently working as a digital forensic consultant in Saudi Arabia. He has experience in different cybersecurity fields such as penetration testing, user access reviews, configurations reviews, IT and cybersecurity audit, risk assessment, and programming. He has a bachelor degree in computer science and holds multiple certifications in the cybersecurity field, such as ICMDE, 3CI, 3CE, CCE, eCDFP, etc. He likes playing CTFs with friends and solving online challenges regularly. He was keen on cybersecurity domain since the middle school and decided to approach this career.
Originally Aired on: Jan 11, 2024
Join us in conversation with Matthias Schmidt, CEO of Analyzer Pro. Matthias graduated in 2020 with a Master of Science in Physics from the Technical University of Vienna. He stands at the forefront of accident reconstruction, developing advanced software for collision reconstruction and speaking at international conferences like the European Association for Accident Research and Analysis EVU and the Austrian Association of Court Experts. Notably, as the CEO and one of the developers of Analyzer Pro, he drives advancements in the field. Beyond his CEO role, Matthias contributes significantly to industry journals like "VKU" and "Impact Magazin," influencing the evolution of accident reconstruction. He's also actively engaged as a member of scientific boards, an external lecturer at DEKRA Automobil-GmbH, and the organizer of crash test days in Murska Sobota, Slovenia. Join us for an enlightening conversation with Matthias Schmidt, a leader in accident reconstruction, and the driving force behind Analyzer Pro's innovation.
Originally aired on: December 21, 2023
Join us for an exclusive interview with Amber Riley, an esteemed international speaker renowned for her expertise in forensic odontology and oral pathology. With a wealth of experience, Amber delivers comprehensive continuing education programs to dental and medical professionals worldwide. She serves as a Forensic Dental Consultant to the San Diego County Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and plays a crucial role in the U.S. Government disaster mortuary operational response team. Amber's contributions extend beyond her forensic work; she is an advisory Board Member to the Oral Cancer Foundation and a professional risk and liability consultant specializing in dental sciences. Her credentials include being the President of the American Society of Forensic Odontology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and memberships in esteemed associations like the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners, the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health.
Join us as we delve into compelling discussions on forensic odontology, pathology, and a myriad of related topics. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leader in the field!
Originally aired on: Dec 14, 2023
A former EMT/paramedic Bruce Goldfarb is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared on All Things Considered, the Washington Post, USA Today, American Health, Baltimore magazine, and many other print and online publications. Goldfarb was executive assistant to the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland from 2012 to 2022. In that role, he was public information officer for the OCME and curator of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. His first book, 18 TINY DEATHS, was released in 2020 and outlines the extraordinary story of Frances Glessner Lee, an independently wealthy matriarch who revolutionized the field of forensic death investigation and who is well known for her crime scene dioramas recreated in minute detail. Goldfarb's second book, OCME, Life in America's Top Forensic Medical Center, details the precarious state of forensic death investigation, which in many parts of the country is failing to provide essential public health services to the public.
Originally aired on: Nov 16, 2023
Nick Harris obtained a BSc Hons Degree in Podiatric Medicine in 1995 from Salford University after which he worked in private practice as a Podiatrist until 2002. He then emigrated to Canada and in 2003, joined the Peel Regional Police. In 2016, Nick joined the Forensic Identification services with Peel Regional Police and soon found that his previous profession and education had applications in the forensic world as it pertained to criminal investigations. Nick has advanced training in footwear impression examination, is a qualified barefoot morphologist, and has been deemed an expert witness within the Canadian court system. He is now the only certified forensic gait analyst currently known to be in Canada. Join us as we discuss how gait analysis contributes to forensic investigations.
Originally aired on: Sep 28, 2023
Steven Jameson is currently the Superfisory Visual Information Specialist for the Operational Project Unit, FBI, Quantico Laboratory. His duties include documenting crime scenes and preparing visual deliverables that aid in the investigations and at trial. Steve has a long career with the U.S. Navy and has had a range of duties including underwater demolition, "hard hat" diver. He also worked with the CIA, Directorate of Operations and he is presently serving as a Chieft Warrant Officer with the U.S. Navy Reserves where he is assigned to SEAL Team EIGHTEEN. Join us as we discuss some of the different technologies and challenges to documenting large scale crime scenes and how these are turned into visual graphics and virtual models for use at trial.
Originally aired on : Sep 21, 2023
Mobile Devices for Forensic Documentation | EP 89 | Robert Wyman | Sep 7, 2023 | 2PM Eastern
Join us for an insightful interview on Forensic Talks with Robert Wyman, President of Wyman Enterprises, Inc. With a wealth of experience, Mr. Wyman specializes in offering Forensic Photography and Evidence Documentation services. His expertise spans various fields, including personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, as well as investigations into homicide, robbery, battery, fraud, criminal negligence, and public corruption cases.
Mr. Wyman holds the distinction of being recognized as an Expert Witness in both Federal and State courts, along with local jurisdictions. His contributions have made a significant impact on the field, with his work being featured in multiple publications, including books on Traffic Crash Reconstruction and Evidence Documentation, as well as numerous articles in renowned magazines and industry newsletters.
One of Robert's remarkable contributions is his advocacy for the use of cost-effective tools, mobile devices, and smartphone apps in preserving and documenting evidence at crime and crash scenes. This advocacy has sometimes faced resistance due to misconceptions surrounding personal cell phone usage in forensics. In this exclusive interview, Robert will share his unique perspective on how mobile devices are revolutionizing the forensic documentation landscape. He will also provide valuable tips and recommendations for cutting-edge apps that can be instrumental in enhancing evidence collection and documentation at crash and crime scenes.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from an industry leader and innovator. Tune in to Forensic Talks and discover how technology is reshaping the future of forensic documentation.
Originally Aired On: September 9, 2021
Video Analysis in Collision Reconstruction | EP 88 | Mark Crouch | Aug 3, 2023 | 2PM Eastern
Mark is the Head of Investigations at Forensic Collision Investigation & Reconstruction Ltd., and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Physics (MSci. Hons.) from the University of London. Mark worked for the Metropolitan Police as a Forensic Collision Investigator for several years before forming FCIR. He has conducted investigations into hundreds of road traffic collisions, attending collision scenes, writing detailed reports, peer reviewing the work of others and researching new techniques within the field. Just this year, he released the second edition of Video Analysis in Collision Reconstruction and he teaches others how to work with video evidence for collision investigations. Join us as we discuss his work and how video evidence plays an important role in collision investigations.
Originally Aired on: August 3, 2023
50 Years of Forensics | EP 87 | Pat Wertheim | July 6, 2023 | 2PM Eastern
Pat began a career in law enforcement in 1973. He served as a police officer, detective, sergeant, and training officer, all the while doing crime scene investigations and latent fingerprint comparisons. In 1986, he realigned his career to focus exclusively on fingerprints. He has worked for local police, state law enforcement, and the Defense Forensic Science Center, where he was the latent print instructor for new hires during the ramp up period initiating the Forensic Expeditionary Division to staff new overseas forensics laboratories. Pat has also consulted on major cases in criminal and civil investigations and has exposed frauds involving fabricated evidence, erroneous identifications, and forged fingerprints. Some of his better known cases include the Shirley McKie Case (including the David Asbury case), the Fred van der Vyver case, the Alan McNamara case, and a civil investigation into a suspected fake Jackson Pollock painting.
Originally aired on July 6, 2023
3D Analysis of Questioned Documents | EP 86 | Roberto King | June 22, 2023 | 2PM
Dr. Roberto King, the Vice President of Product at foster+freeman, UK, previously foster+freeman's Chief Technology Officer, brings a wealth of experience and expertise in forensic chemistry. During this live interview, he will delve into the fascinating world of forensic science, with a particular focus on the use of 3D technology for the analysis of questioned documents. With a background in inorganic chemistry, Dr. King's research interests span fingermarks, body fluids, trace evidence, and contact transfer. Having presented over 150 lectures worldwide and published numerous research papers and book chapters, Dr. King is a recognized authority in the field. Don't miss this opportunity to gain fresh insights into the innovative applications of 3D technology in forensic document analysis. Join us for an engaging session!
Originally aired on: June 22, 2023
Laurie Pieters-James is a a specialist Offender Profiler whose primary function is to assess, analyze & predict criminal behaviour. She has a strong background in psychology, criminology, intelligence and law and has been and advocate for cyber awareness and training. As the Chief Operation Officer at Cybareti Consulting Services, Laurie has been involved in the profiling, investigation, detection and prosecution of cyber crimes. We will explore the dark underbelly of cyber trafficking, discussing its alarming rise, devastating impacts, and potential solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into a critical issue shaping our digital landscape.
Originally aired on: June 15, 2023
Vision, Perception & Human Factors | EP 84 | William Messerschmidt
William Messerschmidt is a former police officer and traffic homicide investigator. After serving the City of Auburn with distinction for 8 years, Mr. Messerschmidt left government service to work with the late Dr. Edward L. Robinson where his work was focused on the investigation and analysis of commercial and heavy vehicle crashes. While working alongside the physicists and engineers at Robinson & Associates, Bill was introduced to Dr. Jeffery Muttart and almost immediately went back to school for the study of Human Factors Psychology and Engineering. Since that time, Bill has studied Human Factors, focusing on transportation and industrial safety, at the University of Idaho, Emory-Riddell Aeronautical University, and The University of Aberdeen. Today, Bill’s Accident Reconstruction work is primarily focused on applying Human Factors science to the analysis of traffic crashes and industrial accidents. Join us as we discuss the importance and function of vision, perception, and human factors in forensics.
Originally aired on: May 11, 2023
Veterinary Forensics | EP 83 | Dr. Rachel Touroo
Dr. Rachel Touroo joined the ASPCA in 2012 as the director of its Veterinary Forensics program and is currently the senior director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences. In this role, Dr. Touroo oversees the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center, assists law enforcement with suspected animal cruelty cases throughout the United States, develops and carries out novel research in the area of veterinary forensics, and teaches Veterinary Forensic Medicine for the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medicolegal Investigations for Florida International University, where she holds courtesy faculty appointments. Dr. Touroo has assisted with hundreds of animal cruelty cases throughout the U.S. and has been qualified as an expert witness on dozens of occasions in a variety of states, as well as in federal court. Join us as we discuss the importance of veterinary forensics and the work that the ASCPA is doing to assist law enforcement in investigations.
Originally aired on: Wednesday April 5th, 2023
Alexander DeBruijn began as a forensic photographer at the regional police Ijsselland in 2000 . In 2005, he joined a multi-police agency project group to investigate the adoption of Lidar and panoramic image scanners within The Netherlands police departments. in 2015 he joined the visualisation and reconstruction expert team which specializes in bringing laser scanners, handheld scanners, surveying equipment, panoramic cameras and other technologies to assist in investigations and to bring presentations to court. His current focus is XR visualization possibilities for use in the criminal investigation process and he is part of the "PDVision3D" development team, a Unity based general 3d and multiuser xr data viewer developed by the ETVR wich has been used in several court cases.
Originally aired on: March 23, 2023
Dr. Itiel Dror is well known for his academic work as it relates to theoretical issues underlying human performance and cognition. His research examines the information processing involved in perception, judgment and decision-making. Much of his work has focused on different disciplines in forensic science and has helped to reshape the way forensic practitioners think about the way they perform their work. As a returning guest to Forensics Talks, we will examine some of Dr. Dror's more recent work into Forensic Pathology where contextual bias appears to play a significant role in the outcome of postmortem examinations and cause of death determinations.
Originally aired on: March 16, 2023
David Larraguibel joined the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service in 2011 where he developed a modernized methodology for photographic documentation of post-mortem examinations, specializing in the use of cross-polarization and infrared photography, as well as establishing an information infrastructure to manage large imaging datasets. He also spent a year as a Forensic Identification Support Technician with the Ontario Provincial Police where he provided training to Scenes of Crimes Officers on the use of field expedient photographic imaging equipment. David is currently researching the spectral and chemical characteristics of human tissues and the decompositional process, tattoo inks and firearm discharge residues.
Originally aired on: March 9, 2023
Dr. Richard Shepherd qualified as a doctor in 1978 and as a consultant pathologist in 1987. He worked as a Consultant Forensic Pathologist and a “Home Office” forensic pathologist for over 35 years and he was routinely involved in the investigation of all types of sudden and suspicious deaths in London, the UK and around the world. He is the author of two books, Unnatural Causes and The Seven Ages of Death which give insightful and honest accounts of what it means to be a forensic pathologist. Join us as we discuss how forensic pathology contributes to forensic investigations.
Originally aired on: February 23, 2023
Louis Peck is a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer and the owner of Axiom Forensic and Lightpoint Scientific. He is a retired motorcycle racer who specializes in motorcycle collision reconstruction and teaches reconstruction and analysis of motorcycle crashes as well as photogrammetry classes to other experts. He has published numerous papers on things such as sliding friction, stopping behavior of motorcycle drivers, influence of riding experience, pole impact analysis, and much more. Join us as we discuss current technology, practical issues and what makes motorcycle collision reconstruction unique from other types of vehicles.
Originally aired on : February 9, 2023
Frank Grosspietsch is a firearms expert with a comprehensive background in relation to the interdiction and investigation of illicit firearms, related components, and ammunition at the local, national, and international level. He spent over 14 years as a member of the RCMP’s National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and retired in early 2020. His expertise ranges in areas such as, identification, classification and verification of firearms, criminal use of firearms, firearms trafficking, black market value of illicit firearms, and much more. Since April 2021, he has been working for the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNILREC) as a Technical Advisor for both Conventional Weapons and for Firearms Evidence Management. Join us as we discuss issues surrounding self-fabricated firearms, "Ghost Guns", illegal importation of firearms, trafficking, and much more.
Originally Aired on: February 2, 2023
Megan is the Founder and Director of Forensic Guardians International (FGI), a company addressing all aspects of forensic human identification. As a leading global forensic advisor and an expert in forensic human identification and emergency management, Megan has an impressive history of advancing humanitarian forensic practice and enhancing forensic strategies and capacities for national and international organizations. In the past, she was the Forensic Coordinator for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Lebanon and Georgia, the latter with responsibility for the Caucasus and Central Asia. Megan has also supervised and directly performed archaeological recoveries and thousands of anthropological examinations, at single and mass gravesites, for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and the International Committee for Missing Persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Join us as I speak to Megan about her work, technology, and the importance of identifying human remains in war-torn areas such as the Ukraine.
Forensic Guardians International: https://forensicguardians.com/
David Camm Case | EP 75 | Gary Dunn |
Gary Dunn, a 27-year FBI Agent with a wide array of experience investigating white collar, corruption, terrorism, and violent crimes, often dealt with heartbroken victims and their remorseless perpetrators. He would find both in the Camm case as David's private investigator. Stunned by the incompetent, biased police investigations, lack of a fair, impartial justice system, and some who claimed to be forensic scientists, follow his and the defense team's contentious investigative path in the trials of David Camm.
Originally Aired on: Dec 21, 2022 | 2:00pm Eastern
Emotional Wellness for Forensic Investigators | EP 74 | Douglas Young
Douglas Young is currently a Senior Criminalist with the Thornton Police Department in Colorado. He began his training as a crime scene technician for the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department and held that position from 1993 – 1998. As a long time forensic professional dealing with tragic incidents, Doug has given some sincere and moving presentations at conferences and training events about the effects that attending horrific crime scenes can have on first responders and those working in forensic investigations. Join us as we discuss how the emotional wellness of forensic practitioners needs to be tended to, how to identify when a person needs assistance, and what can be done to minimize the effects of repeated exposure to tragic and often, gruesome events.
Originally aired: Dec 15, 2022 | 2:00pm Eastern
Justice South Africa | EP 73 | Stanley Bezuidenhout
Stan Bezuidenhout is a Military Intelligence Veteran, a former Specialist Police Reservist, a Forensic Specialist, Court expert Witness, Trainer, Published Author, and Public Speaker with more than 20 years’ experience. He has served private, commercial, and government clients internationally in South Africa, large parts of Southern Africa, in Canada, the Middle East, and in the USA. He has provided training in Forensics and in Risk Mitigation all over the world, and he has been featured on a variety of Television Programs, in South Africa, and in printed media and online, internationally. It is his background in Special Investigations, Military Intelligence, and Police Operations that has established him as a leader in Transport Risk Mitigation, Investigation, and Training. Always eager to empower, educate, and inform, Stan’s passion for this field cannot be missed. Join us as we discuss many aspects of justice in South Africa.
Originally aired on November 17, 2022
Jeff Gurvis is an independent bloodstain pattern analyst from Chicago who has his roots at the Northern Illinois Police Crime Laboratory where he served as a latent print examiner, crime scene coordinator and bloodstain pattern analyst. He has taught several basic and advanced bloodstain classes for the FBI and the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee as well as in service classes for Baltimore PD, Illinois State Police, Washington DC Metro among several others. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Identification (IAI) and is also a member of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. He is active in casework in both latent print examination and bloodstain pattern analysis. In 2012, Jeff co-founded Visionations, where they developed CrimePad, a mobile based criminal investigation and crime scene software solution.
Originally Aired on Nov 3, 2022
Andro Vos spent 15 years at The Netherlands Forensic Institute as the Program Director, Policy advisor to the National Prosecutor office, and the Ministry of Justice and Security. In May 2022, he opened the first Wildlife Forensic Academy in Cape Town, South Africa which is the world's first platform for mobilization of wildlife forensic knowledge and expertise. This state-of-the-art facility assists in combating wildlife poaching and trade and stop the extinction of endangered species and to stop the spread of deadly pathogens from animals to humans.
Originally aired on Oct 6, 2022
Tobin Tanaka has been a forensic document examiner (FDE) with the Government of Canada since 1993. He received his training (1993–1996) and worked as an FDE at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service between 1993 and 2000. In 2000, he commenced working as an FDE for the Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, which was transferred to his current employment at the Canada Border Services Agency in December 2003. He has been a part-time instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology for the Questioned Document Examination course for forensic science students. He is a member of many organizations and was also editor of the Journal of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (2014–2018), and he is currently on the roster of Justice Rapid Response, a global entity that provides specialized justice experts to assist with international investigations.
Originally aired on Sep 29, 2022
Forensics Ghana | Forensics Talks Ep. 38 | Yahaya Sumara Sulley | July 15, 2021
Yahaya Sumara Sulley is a Forensic Science Educator and a Senior Research Assistant in the Forensic Science Department of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale-Ghana . His recent paper outlines how forensic science has gone "dark" in Ghana and many citizens are not aware of the hope that forensic science brings to solving crimes and bringing justice to society. Join us as we discuss the development and state of forensic science in Ghana.
Originally aired on: July 15, 2021
The 2017 Stockholm terrorist attack took place on the 7th April in central Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. A hijacked truck was driven into crowds along Drottninggatan (Queen Street) before being crashed into a department store. Five people were killed, and 14 others were seriously injured. Join us as Håkan Larsson tells us about his experiences docuenting this very large crime scene.
Originally aired on June 3, 2021
Much of what you may have heard about AI has been applied to digital forensics, but what about all the other disciplines like anthropology, firearms examinations, latent prints, bloodstain pattern analysis and footwear impressions? Please join us as Etienne Pillin speaks to us about the role that Artificial Intelligence has to play in many other disciplines in Forensics.
Originally aired on April 22, 2021
Selma J. M. Eikelenboom-Schieveld is a forensic scientist at Independent Forensic Services (IFS) in Colorado. She received a degree from the College for Social Work in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1976, followed by 10 years’ experience in psychotherapeutic treatment. Dr. Eikelenboom graduated from medical school from the Free University in Amsterdam in 1992. She worked eight years as a resident in surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and internal medicine. From 2000 on, she focused on medical forensics as coroner for the city of Amsterdam and at the biology department of the Netherland’s Forensic Institute. In 2003, she started IFS out of the Netherlands and in 2011 she moved to Colorado and opened a second laboratory. Through her forensic medical work, she became interested in a possible association between DNA variants, psychoactive medication, and violence. That interest became the emphasis of her work, leading to a research project with the University of Denver and a PhD in March 2021.
Originally aired on May 27, 2021
Bryon O'Neil is the Sheriff’s Deputy with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Clackamas, Oregon since 2006. Bryon has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice & MBA in Marketing, both from the University of Portland. He has been a Certified Crash Reconstructionist since 2010 and has investigated more than 280 crashes with over 100 of those being fatal. He is the lead Reconstructionist for the Clackamas County Crime Reconstruction and Forensic Technician (CRAFT) Team
Originally aired on October 20, 2020
Paul Coley is the founder and CEO of Scent Evidence K9. As a former FBI Forensic Canine Operations Specialist, he is now focused on scent detection training programs, scent preservation kits, and integrating UAS/drone technology into the K9 trailing process.
Originally aired on March 25, 2021
Edward Nordskog is a Fire Death Scene Expert who retired from being a full time Arson/Bomb Investigator with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department since 1997. . He has investigated 2,100 arson cases and arrested/prosecuted 300 persons for arson related offenses. He has also testified as an expert in fire/arson on over 95 cases. Involved in over 60 fatal fire investigations and 46 serial arson investigations.
Join us as Ed talks to us about investigating fire death scenes, arson investigations and explosion investigations.
Originally aired on March 11, 2021
The VirtoScan project was started in 2015 at the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine. The project is dedicated to the research and development of automated 3D imaging systems for whole-body documentation in X-ray computed tomography and autopsy suites. Join us as Sören Kottner discusses how they are standardizing two-dimensional (2D) and 3D whole-body documentation and to applying it to multispectral imaging to detect, visualize, document, and preserve findings that, otherwise, might be invisible to the naked eye.
Originally aired on July 1, 2021
Patrick Senft is an Associate Researcher with Armament Research Services (ARES), where he is responsible for the monthly released 3D-printed Firearms Technical Intelligence Briefing. In addition, he is conducting research on cluster munitions, landmines, and chemical weapons. Previously, Mr. Senft held positions at the Flemish Peace Institute, working on arms diversion and trafficking in the European Union, and at the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research, where he monitored the post-civil war conflict in Nepal. He has conducted field research to study the disarmament and reintegration of former Maoist fighters into Nepali society and the military. Mr. Senft has a background in Physics and holds a Master of Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Originally Aired on September 15, 2022
Celestina Rossi is a Senior Crime Scene Investigator with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory in Conroe, Texas. She has a Master Peace Officer’s License with 21 years of law enforcement experience. Since her promotion to the crime laboratory in 2002, she has been court qualified as an expert in latent print examination, bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene reconstruction and shooting incident reconstruction.
Cele is an Adjunct Instructor for the Texas Forensic Science Academy at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) where she teaches multiple courses that include Forensic Technician (80 hrs) , Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, and Processing Evidence of Violent Crimes. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Lecturer at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program, Department of Entomology where she teaches two mini-mester courses in Crime Scene Investigation and Latent Print Processing.
Originally Aired on December 10, 2020
Working as a bloodstain pattern specialist with the Reykjavík Metropolitan police, Iceland, CSI unit since 2001 and police officer and detective since 1990. Ragnar Jónsson has been a forensic consultant for film and "CSI" shows who has been able to make appearances in Icelandic movies and TV series. Join us as Ragnar discusses his passion for his work in both forensics and fiction
Originally aired on Thursday December 3, 2020
Thomas Kimbriel is a retired law enforcement officer and part time instructor at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX. Thomas has developed a set of protocols to produce fingerprint identifications in decedents in very late stages of decomposition using macrophotography. Join us as we discuss the importance of using fingerprints to help identify missing persons and disaster victims.
Originally aired on June 17, 2021
Mr. Johnson received his bachelor's degree cum laude from Kansas State University in 1975 and was awarded the Putnam Scholarship and inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He attended the University of Kansas School of Law in Lawrence, Kansas where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1978.
A practicing plaintiff’s trial lawyer through the 1980's, Mr. Johnson developed innovative uses of film, video and graphics for litigation and mediation. After relocating to San Jose, California in 1993, Mr. Johnson founded Second Chair Litigation Support to apply high-level demonstrative evidence techniques for major litigation projects. In 1998 Mr. Johnson co-founded Visual Forensics with Dr. Arthur Ginsburg in San Ramon, California. His animation work on a number of high profile cases received national attention, including a case involving a Marine EA-6B jet that struck a ski gondola near Cavalese, Italy, which received worldwide coverage. Mr. Johnson's work was featured on CBS 60 Minutes, NBC Today Show, ABC Good Morning America, and several network affiliates. His work was also featured several times on Court TV and has been highlighted in articles appearing in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Law Office Computing and other publications.
In 2002 Mr. Johnson founded Forensic Arts in Los Angeles. Today he is the founder and president of Visual Law Group in San Jose where he has pioneered the use of remote control drone technology and laser scanning for forensic visualization. Mr. Johnson is a consultant for Pix4D (the leading developer of photogrammetric mapping software) and FARO technologies (a leading manufacturer of laser scanners that have become the standard for accident reconstruction and forensic work).
To date, Mr. Johnson has handled forensic cases in every state of the union except for Vermont and Delaware. He is a frequent speaker and contributor of articles for trade publications and treatises in fields involving demonstrative evidence and computer animation.
Originally aired on August 27, 2020
Dr. Laura Fulginiti has her PhD from the University of Arizona in 1993. She is a Board-certified forensic anthropologist at the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner Since 1991. She has adjunct faculty status with Arizona State University and a Clinical Associate Professorship in Pathology at the University of Arizona, School of Medicine. Dr. Fulginiti's research research interests include enhancement techniques for the identification of unknown human remains, age-at-death and sex determination using the pubic symphysis & sternal ends of the fourth ribs, trauma analysis including direction of force in pedestrians struck by motor vehicles and understanding dismemberment patterns.
Originally aired on October 8, 2020
Dr Stephen Bleay is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science in the School of Applied Sciences at London South Bank University. He specialises in fingermark enhancement and imaging, with interests in the interactions between trace evidence, the surface it is deposited on and the environment it is exposed to. •His main research interests are in the interactions that can occur between the environment, the surface and different types of trace evidence. Join us as Dr. Bleay discusses how his research into recovering difficult and complex trace evidence assists in forensic investigations.
Originally aired on Nov. 18, 2021
Eugene Liscio is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada and is the owner of ai2-3D, a consulting company that specializes in 3D forensic documentation, analysis and visualizations. Eugene has testified in court in both the US and Canada utilizing 3D technologies such as photogrammetry and laser scanning, utilizing interactive 3D crime scenes to aid judges and juries. Eugene is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, where he teaches a 3D Forensic Reconstruction and Mapping course as part of the Forensic Sciences Program. Join in the discussion on how 3D Technologies are impacting forensic investigations!
Originally aired on Dec. 2, 2021
Martino Jerian is the CEO and Founder of Amped Software, widely recognized as the leading company for image and video forensics for public safety and national security, with customer in 100 counties worldwide. He graduated in Electronic Engineering at the University of Trieste (Italy) in 2005 (summa cum laude) with a thesis on forensic image processing and he founded Amped Software in 2008, widely recognized as the leading company for video forensics.
He has extensive software engineering experience, designing and starting the development of the Amped Software products. He teaches as a contract professor in a few university courses related to investigations, forensics and intelligence, has published several scientific papers related to image and video forensics and also worked as a forensic expert in major judiciary cases.
His current activities are mainly focused around the improvement of the relationship between science and justice during forensic investigations, the need for proper education and training on image and video analysis, and creating awareness on the challenges related to the proper use of video evidence, especially in relation to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Originally aired on July 7 2022
Tiffany Roy is a specialist in Forensic Biology and also law. She has served as an expert witness in over 100 cases and has processed thousands of DNA cases with over 13 years in private and public labs. She is currently the President of ForensicAid and she also instructs undergrads at Southern New Hampshire University, University of Maryland, University College.
Join us as we discuss issues surrounding DNA testimony, statistics, bias, and the state of Forensic Science.
Originally aired on July 21 2022
Najat Abou Chacra is a Military Judge in Lebanon working on high profile cases such as terrorism and cybercrimes. She was the appointed the first female judge in the history of the Republic of Lebanon to occupy the position of Investigative Judge at the Military Court. As an investigative judge, Najat plays an active role in determining the guilt or innocence of a defedant. She also works with forensic experts as needed and conducts her own interviews with witnesses.
Join us as we have an eye opening discussion about the military judicial system in Lebanon.
Originally aired on: Aug 18, 2022
John Lentini began his career in forensic science with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory in 1974. He joined the private sector in 1977, and for 28 years he was the lead fire investigator for Applied Technical Services of Marietta, Georgia. He has personally conducted more than 2,000 fire scene inspections and has appeared as an expert witness on more than 200 occasions. Mr. Lentini is an active proponent of standards for fire and other forensic investigations, and has made many presentations on the proper use of science in fire investigations. He was the Chairman of the Innocence Project’s Arson Review Committee, and was invited to speak during the National Academy of Science hearing that resulted in the 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. His book, Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation, was published in 2006 by CRC Press, and the third edition was published in 2018.
Join us as we discuss many issues surrounding fire investigations, wrongful convictions, and advancements in fire and arson analysis.
Originally aired on August 4, 2022
Chris Fabricant leads the Innocence Project's Strategic Litigation Department, whose attorneys develop and execute national litigation and public policy strategies to address the leading causes of wrongful conviction, including eyewitness misidentification, the misapplication of forensic sciences and false confessions. Fabricant is one of the United States’s leading experts on forensic sciences and scientific litigation. He is a former longtime public defender and law professor, frequently serves as a public speaker on legal reform and social justice, and has published numerous articles in journals such as Fordham Law Review and New York University Review of Law & Social Change. In his recently published book, Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System, Chris examines the role that faulty scientific evidence has in continuing and strengthening an unjust and racial bias.
Join us we as we discuss many issues surrounding the application of forensic science in the criminal justice system.
Originally aired on June 23, 2022
David Dustin is currently the Technical Director for FARO Public Safety and works very closely with FARO’s R&D groups in the areas of software and hardware development. Since the integration of 3D Laser scanning, David has gone on to become a recognized expert in the areas of 3D Laser scanning for crime scenes, as well as in the investigation of vehicular related events working numerous high profile cases across the US. He has testified at trials on the use of 3D evidence and has been involved in 2 Daubert Challenges. Join us as David speaks to us about admissibility and working with 3D evidence.
Originally aired on April 14, 2022
Barry A. J. Fisher served as the Crime Laboratory Director for the Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Department, a position he held from 1987 until his retirement in 2009. He began
his career in criminalistics with the Sheriff’s crime lab in 1969 and worked in a wide
variety of assignments. His current interests concern the interrelationship between
forensic science and the law along with public policy issues concerning the timely
delivery of quality forensic support services to the criminal justice system. Joins us as Barry discusses the importance of ethics in forensics with an interesting personal story.
Originally aired on February 25, 2021
Dr Alfredo E Walker is a registered Forensic Pathologist (category A) of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) who is based within its Eastern Ontario Regional Forensic Pathology Unit (EORFPU) at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, Canada. Join us as we discuss the importance of pathology to forensics.
Originally aired on February 4, 2021
Harry A. Milman, PhD, is a consulting pharmacologist, toxicologist, and expert witness with over forty years of experience. Join us as we speak about the role of toxicology in forensics, pharmacology, and his latest book, the science behind the deaths of famous people.
Originally aired on January 21, 2021
Glenn Langenburg is a certified latent print examiner and owner of Elite Forensic Services, LLC. Previously, he worked at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for 18 years and has experience with crime scenes and bloodstain pattern evidence. He was certified as a general criminalist by the American Board of Criminalistics and has lectured and hosted workshops nationally and internationally at forensic science conferences in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Glenn has a successful weekly podcast on fingerprint issues with co-host Eric Ray called the Double Loop Podcast. Join us as we discuss topics including Daubert issues, research, probabilistic error rates, and challenges to latent prints.
Originally aired on March 31, 2022
Eddy De Valck has worked as a Forensic Odontologist since 1979, having received his Master of Dental Sciences from Catholic University Leuven in 1977 and attended Belgium’s Ministry of Justice’s School for Criminology. He has participated as an expert in about 20 major disaster investigations since 1987 ( e.g. train, plane, and boat disasters; 2004 Tsunami in Phuket, 2014 MH 17, 2016 Brussels Terrorist attacks, 2021 Belgium Floodings), having served as Chief Forensic Odontologist on the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team for Federal Police Belgium since then, as well as with DVI services with Interpol. Join us as Eddy speaks to us about his experiences with Disaster Victim Identification
Originally aired on March 24, 2022
Jeffrey W. Muttart is currently the Director of Research and Consulting Services for Crash Safety Research Center, LLC. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety where his research interests include pedestrian walking speeds, vehicle acceleration choice, nighttime recognition distance, headlight illumination related to nighttime recognition, driver perception-response times in emergency situations, and many other items such as the influence of alcohol, fatigue, age, and drugs on a driver's response. Joins us as Dr. Muttart discusses the importance of human factors in accident investigations.
Originally aired on Mar. 17, 2022
Karen Woodall is an Assistant Professor and Forensic Toxicologist within the Forensic Science Program at the University of Toronto. She graduated in 1996 from the University of Bradford, UK with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology. She worked as a Forensic Toxicologist at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto for 20 years before joining the University of Toronto. Her research interests include toxicology and the opioid crisis, the role of drugs in motor vehicle fatalities and oral fluid drug testing equipment. Join us as we discuss the impact and effects of opioids on our society and in a forensic context.
Originally aired on March 10, 2022
Richard Gage has been investigating the events and collapse of the World Trade Center Towers since 2006. Join us as we look at the forensic evidence of collapses and what science can tell us about the terrible tragedies of September 11, 2001.
Originally aired on January 14, 2021
SA O’Connor is currently the Principle Consultant at FedSquared Consulting, providing instruction and consultation on a variety of Counterterrorism topics to both Government and private sector clients. After a 23 year career with the FBI, SA O’Connor coordinated investigations related to violent criminal actions by Domestic Extremist. Join us as we discuss some very well known cases and how these types of crimes are investigated, coordinated and solved.
Originally aired on September 16, 2021
Amoret Whitaker is the Program Leader and a Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Forensic Studies program. She specializes in Forensic Entomology and since 2004 has undertaken forensic casework throughout the UK for many police forces and forensic providers, attending crime scenes, deposition sites and post-mortems, analysing data and submitting reports, and attending court if required. Join us as Dr. Whitaker discusses how Forensic Entomoligy assists in forensic investigations.
Originally aired on November 11, 2021
Lorna Dawson is currently Principal Scientist and Head of Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and visiting Professor at RGU. She is a registered expert with the National Crime Agency and works with police forces, lawyers and agencies in soil-trace-evidence provision and regularly attends court as an expert witness. Lorna is passionate about the effective communication of science, and her opinion is widely sought on aspects of soil science and forensic science in various media, including news, education, and drama. She has published over 100 scientific papers, books and book chapters and holds a diploma in Science Communication. Please join us as we discuss how studying soil can contribute to forensic investigations.
Originally aired on February 17, 2022
Jeremiah Morris is the Forensic Scientist Supervisor, Trace Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation Technical Leader of Trace Evidence and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory. He is an active member of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts and has been an advocate of how bloodstain pattern analysis contributes to forensic investigations. Join us as we discuss many changes happening around the globe that should further strengthen the reliability and credibility of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in forensic investigations.
Originally aired on February 10, 2022
Bryan Chiles is the Sr. Investigations Engineer at Axon who has the the responsibility to manage and conduct investigations for Axon customers, attorneys, or civilians. Bryan's focus is on investigative tests and processes, including research and scenario-based experiments, determining the highest forensic value of data and physical evidence relating to Taser energy weapons and Axon body worn cameras. Bryan regularly appears as an expert witness at Federal, State, and international courts to testify on various models of Taser energy weapons. Join us as we discuss Taser technology, science, research and cases related to Taser energy weapons.
Originally aired on February 17, 2022
Mohammad AlShamsi is the Head of Firearms and Toolmarks section at Dubai Police. He graduated from the first INTERPOL Young Global Police Leaders Program in 2019 and is a member of numerous international associations such as the Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners AFTE where he is the point of contact for the Middle-East and West-Asia region and the first Arabic Certified Firearms and Toolmarks Examiner FA/TM-AFTE. AlShamsi represents the Middle-East Region at the International Association for Property and Evidence IAPE and is the first Certified Property and Evidence Specialist CPES in the Middle-East and Asia.
AlShamsi is an Adjunct Faculty member at the International Institute for Forensic & Security Studies and Amity university for the Bachelor’s and Master’s students in Forensic Science Ballistics and Advanced Ballistics course; he has lectured and trained more than 2860 attendees in events and training courses since the beginning of 2017 to date.
Originally aired on September 30, 2021
Dan Nash is the co-founder of the Human Trafficking Training Center and a retired Missouri State Trooper where he spent 27 years investigating narcotic/vice crimes, violent crime, and human trafficking. Dan was the Sergeant of the Human Trafficking Unit and the enforcement supervisor of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. Join us as we discuss the impact of Human Trafficking, the need for training and how Human Trafficking is investigated.
Originally aired on March 3, 2022
James Wigmore has worked as a forensic toxicologist for over 29 years at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, Ontario. He has testified in over 700 criminal cases throughout Canada and in numerous personal injury civil cases and coroner’s inquests. He has published over 70 scientific articles in forensic toxicology which have been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada, and the High Court of South Africa. He has written numerous book chapters as well as 3 books on the medicolegal aspects of alcohol and cannabis. His next book will be on nicotine and vaping. Join us as we discuss the holy trinity of toxicology... Cannabis, Opioids and Nicotine.
Originally aired on February 3, 2022
Roland Angle is a civil engineer and is currently the President and CEO of AE911Truth; an organization that has been investigating the collapse of the World Trade Center 7 Building, and have been working with the engineering community to explain the reasons why the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s reports on the collapse of the WTC7 is deficient. A previous interview with Dr. Leroy Hulsey generated a lot of discussion and controversy on social media. Roland Angle will address many of the most popular comments and questions from viewers.
Originally aired on January 13, 2022
Joe Bryan, was a high school principal in 1985 and had been attending an educational conference in Austin, Texas, over 100 miles away from his home when his wife was murdered. Bryan was subsequently convicted of murder and spent over 33 years in prison based in part on faulty bloodstain pattern analysis evidence. A detective working on his case wrote in a sworn affidavit submitted to the court, “My conclusions were wrong..." regarding the BPA evidence.
Originally aired May 13, 2021
Dr. Theresa Stotesbury, Forensic Chemist from Ontario Tech University has been studying different aspects of blood such as time of deposition from DNA degradation, extreme temperature effects, blood substitutes, animal blood and much more!
Originally aired on April 15, 2021
George Reis is the president and owner of Imaging Forensics, Inc. and has been providing expert witness services and training in forensic image analysis, forensic video analysis, and forensic and technical photography through Imaging Forensics since 2004. He performs various tasks to images and video such as authentication, analysis, enhancement and comparisons. He has worked on, and testified in, criminal and civil cases throughout the US and has testified as an expert witness in photography, image analysis, video analysis, and latent fingerprint examination. He is also the author of Photoshop CS3 for Forensics Professionals. Join us as George Reis speaks to us about his work in the area of forensic image analysis.
Originally aired on Oct, 14 2021
As a long time engineering consultant, professional photographer and instructor, Tom Vadnais has specialized in forensic photography with a focus on evidence from vehicular accidents. Join us as Tom speaks to us about his passion for photography and the role that forensic photography plays in civil and criminal cases.
Originally aired on April 1, 2021
Doug Perovic is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto. A renowned authority on forensic engineering and failure analysis, Dr. Perovic has led many investigations in Canada and the United States, often serving as the voice of the profession in the media on high profile cases. He developed and teaches the only undergraduate and graduate university level Forensic Engineering courses in Canada and recently championed the Certificate in Forensic Engineering Program at U of T.
Originally aired on May 6, 2021
Dr. James Goodrich is an active and experienced forensic odontologist, in Cambridge, New Zealand. His day to day work is as a private practice dental surgeon, but his main interests lie in forensic science. In his role as a forensic odontologist he provides opinions to the police and coronial services on the identification of deceased individuals, age estimation for the living and the dead, bitemarks, and serves as an expert witness for the justice system if required.
Jim was deployed to help with the Disaster Victim Identification for the Canterbury Earthquake in 2011, and to the Christchurch Mosque Shootings and the Whakaari White Island Volcano eruption in 2019. He has also worked in the Pacific helping the identification and repatriation process for US Marines killed during the Battle of Tarawa.
Originally aired on Nov 5, 2020
Michael W. Streed is an award-winning, internationally recognized, Forensic Facial Imaging Expert based in the Los Angeles Metro area. For 42 years, he’s combined his extensive law enforcement experience and artistic skills to help law enforcement agencies solve their toughest cases. Michael is also the owner of SketchCop Solutions, where he provides remote services and consultancy, access to products and training to a variety of law enforcement agencies and select clients worldwide. Join us as we ask Michael about how Forensic Facial Imaging makes a contribution to Forensic Investigations.
Originally aired on Jan 27, 2022
Professor Daniel Simons has been researching the cognitive mechanisms of our experience of a stable and continuous visual world and on change blindness. These failures to notice what is often obvious to others suggests that we have a limited interpretation of our visual world. This is especially important when dealing with eye-witness accounts of crimes, suspect identifications, and in officer involved shootings. Research in Professor Simon's laboratory uses methods ranging from real-world and video-based approaches to computer-based psychophysical techniques, eye tracking, simulator studies, and training studies. Join us as Daniel Simons discusses the implications of human perception and memory and how we should be careful about the weight we place on eye-witness testimony.
Originally aired on Oct, 14 2021
Ron Teachman has been a ShotSpotter representative for the past six years. He is a former police officer of thirty-eight years, and served eight of those years as a Chief of Police over two cities, New Bedford, MA and South Bend, IN. As the Chief, Ron was responsible for the installation and adoption of ShotSpotter in each of those cities. In his role at ShotSpotter today, Ron helps spread this technology across the country, enabling his public safety colleagues to better serve and protect their communities. Join us as Ron discusses how ShotSpotter works and how it can help in detecting gunshots quickly and accurately.
Originally aired on Nov. 4, 2021
Jarrod Carter started training to practice accident reconstruction in 1989. He earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Washington in 2002 and began practicing as an accident reconstruction and biomechanical injury analyst full time in 2000. In his three decades in this field, he has earned a reputation for being specialized in the area of vehicle rollovers and has worked on some complex cases that involve testing, and research using the latest in instrumentation.
Originally aired on Oct, 28 2021
Michael Connolly is a 24-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. During his time with the Department, he has worked as a patrol, & bike Officer. Since 2001, Mike has been assigned to the Crime Scene Response Unit (CSRU) and has been the Lead Training Coordinator since 2007. He has been a trained Ten Print Examiner since 2001 and is a certified Crime Scene Investigator with the International Association for Identification since 2012 .
On April 15, 2013, during the 117th annual Boston Marathon, two homemade pressure cooker bombs detonated at 2:49 PM near the finish line of the race. The bombs exploded 14 seconds and 210 yards (190 m) apart killing 3 people and injuring hundreds of others, including 17 who lost limbs. Michael Connolly was directly involved in the crime scene investigation and documentation of evidence.
Grant is a Certified Forensic Video Analyst and a contract instructor at the FBI National
Academy in Quantico, VA. He has testified over 300 times in courts throughout the US,
Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and in other parts of the world; many of his projects involve
the collection of visual intelligence during civil disturbance and riot events. As a consultant
for Major Crime and Joint Forces Operations involving video evidence, Grant has provided
technical assistance for high-profile investigations around the world. He was the Technical
Manager for a large-scale high-profile criminal investigation involving over 5,000 hours of
video evidence, directing the work of fifty forensic video analysts. He currently trains investigators on strategies and techniques for the accurate interpretation of video evidence, including tracking the movements of targets captured to proprietary digital video.
Originally aired on October 1, 2020
Alice White it a a well known educator when it comes to Friction Ridge analysis. She has published many papers on fingerprint distortions and analysis. She is also an active member of the AAFS, IAI and many other organizations where she shares her knowledge and expertise. Join us as we discuss issues surrounding Friction Ridge Analysis and where this discipline is headed for the future.
Originally aired on Feb. 18, 2021
René Gapert is a Consultant Forensic Anthropologist and Director of Human Remains Services Ireland in the Republic of Ireland where he has worked over the past 20 years on human remains identification and missing persons cases. He has also been involved in identification of burn victims during the Grenfell Tower Fire in London and has assisted in skeletal analyses to various Coroners in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Berlin, and the Australian Government and the Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial Centre. Join us as we discuss his experiences in the examination and analysis of human remains in forensic and historical contexts.
Originally aired on Oct, 7 2021
Dr. Hulsey focuses on working with students to achieve a high quality education. His research is in the fields of bridge engineering and effects of temperature extremes on structural systems like composite wall panels for buildings. His work blends a strong experimental component with the fundamentals of theory.
Dr. Hulsey and his colleagues have been investigating the failure of the WTC7 building which was the third building to have collapsed on September 11, 2001. A recent study from Dr. Hulsey challenges the official explanation from NIST. Dr. Hulsey explained to us his findings from his 3 year study of the collapse of WTC7.
Originally aired on Nov 19, 2020
INTERPOL unveiled I-FAMILIA in June of 2020 and has applied cutting-edge scientific research and the DNA of relatives to identify missing persons and unidentified human remains around the world. Join us as we speak to François Xavier Laurent who is the DNA Database Manager at INTERPOL about how I-FAMILIA has already been used to connect families with their loved ones.
Originally Aired on September 23, 2021
Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD, President and Founder of Identifinders International, is widely recognized as the founder of modern Forensic Genealogy. She has pioneered the use of genetic genealogy for generating forensic intelligence on cold cases sometimes decades old. Join us as Colleen talks to us about how Forensic Genealogy assists in cold cases and how it has made a massive impact in forensic investigations.
Caroline Wilkinson is Director of the Face Lab, a LJMU research group based in Liverpool Science Park. The Face Lab carries out forensic/archaeological research and consultancy work and this includes craniofacial analysis, facial depiction and forensic art. Joins us as Dr. Wilkinson discusses her work, research and how forensic facial reconstructions assist in investigations.
Originally aired on March 18, 2021
Dr. Paola Magni is a Senior Lecturer at Murdoch University in Perth Australia. She is a globally-recognized forensic scientist specializing in the analysis of micro and macro-organisms to solve the most complex crimes.
With a background in natural sciences, taphonomy, ecology, and evolutionary biology, Dr. Magni splits her time between Western Australia and Singapore, focusing on creating innovative research and cross-cultural learning experiences. Join us as she speaks to us about her work and especially about her interest in Aquatic Forensics!
Originally aired on April 29, 2021
Dr. Shari Forbes is a forensic chemist and consultant who is the Director of the first human taphonomy facility in Canada. Join us as we discuss cadaver dogs, clandestine graves, and what it takes to start a body farm.
Originally aired on January 28, 2021
Jonathan W. Hak, Q.C. is a barrister and solicitor who devoted over 30 years to his role as a Crown Prosecutor with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in Calgary, Alberta. He has extensive experience prosecuting major crimes and specializes in legal issues involving expert evidence, expert witnesses, and digital multimedia evidence. He teaches law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong, including courses on Courtroom Testimony for Expert Witnesses and Courtroom Testimony for Investigators.
Originally aired on January 7, 2021
David Camm was a former Indiana State Trooper who was sentenced for the murder of his wife and two children at tgeir Georgetown, Indiana home on September 28, 2000. He spent 13 years in prison but after a third trial, he was acquitted and released in 2013.
David's case highlights some of the failures in forensics and where the justice system can go wrong. It highlights the need for scientific scrutiny, awareness of bias and tunnel vision. Bloodstain Pattern Evidence was at the center of his case and we discuss how a few droplets of blood on his t-shirt became a large shifting point in the bloodstain pattern analysis community.
Originally aired on November 26, 2020
Dr. Lewinski is a leading behavioral scientist whose work has focused on the intensive study of human dynamics involved in high stress, life-threatening encounters. He has a Ph.D. in Police Psychology and is a professor emeritus of Law Enforcement at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he taught for more than 28 years, was an L.E. Program Director and also chair of the Department of Government.
Dr. Lewinski’s research has impacted law enforcement officers and agencies worldwide and has revolutionized the way force investigations and training are conducted. He is a popular presenter in the law enforcement industry and has appeared before scores of groups world-wide, ranging internationally from New Scotland Yard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police to the British House of Commons and House of Lords as well as Obama’s President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He has presented to local, state, and national departments throughout North America and the United Kingdom including twice by invitation as a keynote speaker to international medical conferences in the U.K.
Originally aired Nov 12, 2020
Dr. Desmoulin is the Principal of GTD Scientific Inc. GTD offers Biomechanical Consulting Services on behalf of clients throughout North America, as well as abroad. Focused practice areas include Injury Biomechanics, Incident Reconstruction and Physical Testing with a sub-specialty in the Science of Violence™. GTD has been retained in significant complex injury litigation cases involving municipal police department use of force, violent encounters and TASER International to name just a few examples. Furthermore, landmark testing and shooting reconstruction methodology developed by Dr. Desmoulin was recently upheld as reliable and admissible by the U.S. Federal District Court for the 9th District of California.
In addition, Dr. Desmoulin was selected from an international pool of applicants to be the science and engineering host for Viacom Networks hit television show “Deadliest Warrior”. In this high-profile position he assessed engineering aspects, injury potential, and overall battlefield effectiveness of weapons used by warriors throughout history. The series filmed thirty-three episodes (1-hour format) and highlighted sixty-four warriors. Deadliest Warrior continues to air throughout the world in over sixteen countries, thirty- two different languages, and is available in over 96-million homes in the United States alone.”
Originally aired Sep 24, 2020
Alex Harvey - Co Founder and creative director at RiVR - Alex cut his teeth in the gaming industry for 10 years before starting a VR production company. RiVR Investigate is being rolled out around the world to train first responders in crime scene and fire investigation. Alex has a passion for photogrammetry technology and capturing photorealistic content!
In this episode I ask Alex about how VR can be used in Forensics.
Dr Dror researches expert performance in the real world, examining medical surgeons, military fighter pilots, front line police, and forensic analysts. His research provides insights into the inherent trade-offs of being an expert. In the forensic domain he has demonstrated how contextual information can influence the judgments and decision making of experts; he has shown that even fingerprint and DNA experts can reach different conclusions when the same evidence is presented within different extraneous contexts.
Originally aired Sep 17, 2020
Matthew Noedel worked as a forensic scientist for the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory in Tacoma, WA for 15 years prior to starting his forensic consultation and training business Noedel Scientific in 2005. He is currently a distinguished and certified member of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners and has received the award as “Member of the Year” (2009) from that organization. Mr. Noedel is also active in the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction as Past-President and Past-Treasurer of that organization and is certified in Crime Scene Reconstruction by the IAI.
Noedel Scientific has consulted in scene reconstruction and analysis throughout the United States as well as internationally in Canada and Australia. Much of the work conducted by Noedel Scientific is in the area of ballistics and shooting incident reconstruction. Mr. Noedel also provides forensic training and case consultation for the government agency INDECOM in the country of Jamaica. Please visit www.noedelscientific.com for additional information.
Originally aired September 3, 2020
This is the introductory podcast that explains a bit about myself, how Forensics Talks got started, and what kind of people, topics, and content are available to you.
Please remember that I welcome any comments or suggestions you might have. Please go to my website and simply fill out the contact form to reach me.
www.ai2-3d.com/contact
Thanks and I appreciate you stopping by!
Eugene