1st Annual Forensic Science Forum

Transcription

1 About the Host Programs The mission of the Forensic Science program at Arcadia University is to provide high quality, competent, and professional master s level forensic science education and training. This mission is to be accomplished through contact with internal and external professional practitioners and academicians; through research, internships, and other forensic science activities intended to increase the students knowledge of forensic science; and through competent and ethical professional training. Arcadia University seeks to provide a comprehensive graduate program in the areas of forensic biology, chemistry, toxicology and trace evidence analysis and to serve as a model for forensic science education excellence, to promote scholarly inquiry into the knowledge and techniques fundamental to the practice of forensic science, to provide outstanding resources for students in their professional forensic science development, and to produce competent and skilled forensic science professionals who can serve as outstanding practitioners and leaders in the forensic science field. The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education has been established at the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation to provide continuing professional development for forensic scientists, providing updates, testimony skills development, cross-discipline training, forensic information science tools and strategies and training in forensic science principles for police, attorneys and officers of the court. The Center provides facilities with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, supporting grant-funded research, method validation and academic scholarship. 1st Annual Forensic Science Forum September 16-17, 2011 The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, in collaboration with Arcadia University, presents the 1 st Annual Forensic Science Forum. The Forum features a diverse range of forensic science topics presented by leading experts from around the world. The goal of the Forum is not only to educate students and education professionals interested in forensic science, but also to facilitate interaction between the academic and professional communities. This symposium is divided into two days. The first day consists entirely of lectures from our guest faculty, while Day Two concludes the lectures, featuring an Arcadia University alumnus, and finishes with an optional tour of the Arcadia campus for any interested attendees. Information about Arcadia s Forensic Science Program will be made available for prospective students on both days. Arcadia University is proud to offer the largest FEPAC accredited Masters of Forensic Science degree program in the United States. September 16, 2011: 8:00 am 4:00 pm September 17, 2011: 7:45 am 1:00 pm Jill Yeakel, M.S. Adjunct Professor, Arcadia University Program Director, Center for Forensic Science Research and Education Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation Phone: Fax: jyeakel@frfoundation.org

2 September 16, 2011 Registration will be held from 8:00 8:30 am 8:30 9:30 Barry Logan: Forensic Toxicology: Detection of Homicidal Poisonings 9:30 10:30 Kevin Steele: The Role of the Prosecuting Attorney 10:30 11:30 Ruth Croxton: Understanding the Chemistry of Latent Fingerprints and Their Enhancement 11:30 12:00 LUNCH 12:00 1:00 Mark Baron: Legal Highs :00 2:00 Anna Dhody: Reading the Dead: An Overview of Forensic Anthropology 2:00 3:00 Mark Williford: Firearms Examination 3:00 4:00 Christopher Erb: Cyber Forensics Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Timothy Herbert Items covered in this talk will include a basic understanding of mitochondrial DNA and how it applies to the Identification of Missing in Action (MIA) or Prisoner of Wars (POW s) from foreign American conflicts. Participants will learn about the mitochondrial genome and how it is inherited. Several case samples will be discussed, including the identification of the Romanov family. Timothy Herbert is currently a Forensic Scientist II at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, MD where he completes mitochondrial DNA analysis. He graduated from Arcadia University with his Master s of Forensic Science Degree in Welcome Packets provided by: For 20 years Arrowhead has been focused on you - our customer. Our commitment to providing high quality products establishes us as a trusted and reliable partner to our customers. We provide the widest selection of products by maintaining strategic partnerships with a wide range of quality manufacturers. Consolidate your purchases and reduce your procurement costs buy utilizing our extensive distribution and procurement experience. Whether you are in the market for equipment or supplies there s an Arrowhead product for your department - and your budget.

3 Crime Scene Investigation: A Real-Life Look at How It s Done Richard Nilsen Suspects lie. Witnesses make mistakes. The only truly reliable information source in a criminal investigation is the physical evidence left at the scene. In this presentation, Lt. Nilsen will provide an overview of the start-to-finish steps taken by crime scene detectives. Photographs and diagrams of actual crime scenes will provide the framework for discussion of the methods detectives use to secure, document, collect and preserve all types of evidence. Topics to be covered include firearm and toolmark evidence, bloodstain pattern analysis, use of DNA, computer and cellular telephone forensics, and crash reconstruction. Richard Nilsen is the Commander of the Forensic Services Unit for the Montgomery County District Attorney s Office in Pennsylvania. Prescription Drug Abuse Trends, Music and The Media Antoinette Thwaites Forensic drug analysis is the process of examining and identifying controlled and non-controlled substances. Because of prescription drug diversion, forensic chemists are noticing an increase in submissions of painkillers, depressants and stimulants that can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs. The abuse of prescription drugs is a nationwide problem and has led to many deaths publicized in the media. Some music celebrities have also openly admitted to the abuse of prescription drugs through their lyrics and often refer to drugs by their slang names that subliminally refer to drug trafficking and abuse. Antoinette T. Thwaites is a Forensic Chemist and Founder of The Association of Women in Forensic Science, Inc. (AWIFS) September 17, 2011 Registration will be held from 7:45 8:15 am 8:15 9:00 Kimberlee Moran: Forensic Archaeology: Theory and Practice 9:00 10:00 Richard Nilsen: Crime Scene Investigation: A Real-Life Look at How It s Done 10:00 11:00 Antoinette Thwaites: Prescription Drug Abuse Trends, Music and the Media 11:00 12:00 Timothy Herbert: Mitochondrial DNA Analysis 12:00 1:00 Tour of Arcadia Abstract pages Forensic Toxicology: Detection of Homicidal Poisonings...p.4 The Role of the Prosecuting Attorney......p.5 Understanding the Chemistry of Latent Fingerprints and Their Enhancement......p.6 Legal Highs p.7 Reading the Dead: An Overview of Forensic Anthropology...p.7 Firearms Examination......p.8 Cyber Forensics...p.8 Forensic Archaeology: Theory and Practice.....p.9 Crime Scene Investigation: A Real-Life Look at How It s Done..... p.10 Prescription Drug Abuse Trends, Music & The Media...p.10 Mitochondrial DNA Analysis.....p.11

4 Forensic Toxicology: Investigation of Homicidal Poisonings Barry Logan Forensic toxicology plays a key role in death investigation in the detection of drugs and poisons that can cause or contribute to death. The toxicologist works closely with pathologists and medical examiners to design testing for common toxins and to review the symptoms, behaviors and scene evidence that can suggest or that point to homicidal poisonings. Although infrequent, poisonings can be difficult to detect since the murderer is often not present when the death takes place, or the poison is ingested. This presentation will look at the information collected during the investigation, at autopsy and in the laboratory that points to drugs or poisons as a cause of death. Case studies of homicidal poisonings will be presented including cyanide, heavy metals and drugs. Dr. Barry K. Logan is a leading international authority on forensic toxicology with specific interests in alcohol and drug impaired driving. He served for nineteen years as state toxicologist for the state of Washington, overseeing the State s forensic alcohol and drug testing programs. Dr. Logan is Board Certified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT). In 2008 he joined NMS Labs in Willow Grove, PA as Director of Toxicological and Forensic Services. In 2010 he also became Executive Director of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, at the Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation. Forensic Archaeology: Theory and Practice Kimberlee Moran Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological techniques to a criminal investigation, and, in many ways, the excavation of an archaeological site mimics that of crime scene examination. A forensic archaeologist acts in the dual role of outside expert and crime scene investigator when excavating a clandestine grave or buried evidence. As such, it is beneficial for the forensic archaeologist to have completed awareness training in a number of forensic fields. Are current degree programs meeting this need? If not, in what forensic techniques should a forensic archaeologist be trained to ensure optimal performance in the field? This paper introduces the concepts behind forensic archaeology, its practice in the US and abroad, and examines current training programs. What does the future hold for forensic archaeology and does the education available meet those needs? Kimberlee Moran has been a forensic consultant and educator since She holds an undergraduate degree in archaeology from Bryn Mawr College and a Masters of Science in forensic archaeological science from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. Kimberlee has worked on a number of cases in a range of capacities, most recently as provider of forensic services to legal professionals in the UK. She helped to launch the JDI Centre for the Forensic Sciences in 2010 and has run an educational organization, Forensic Outreach, since Kimberlee is an active member of the Society for American Archaeology, the UK Fingerprint Society, the Association for Women in Forensic Science, and Forensic Archaeology Recovery. Her doctoral research is in the field of ancient fingerprints.

5 Firearms Examination Mark Williford This includes a discussion of the development of firearms and how 'the pull of a trigger' causes a chronological change of events that transcend from the decision making process of pulling the trigger to burial. Also, a brief summarization of firearms, how they're manufactured, their components (emphasizing on the trigger), the volume of hands that are involved in the assembling of a firearm and how when used; firearms impact socially, morally and culturally on society will be covered. In the closing, there will be a demonstrative exhibit of the unforeseen effects of gun violence. Mark Williford is an eighteen year police veteran with an extensive background in forensics where he actively works as a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner in the Forensics Bureau of the Philadelphia Police Department. He has trained in the field of Firearms Identification, both locally and nationally, studying at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as training with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cyber Forensics Christopher Erb This presentation will include discussion of the identification, collection, preservation, examination, and presentation of digital evidence. This will also review several cases including homicides, terrorism, prostitution/child sex trafficking, child exploitation and fraud. Christopher Erb has over twenty years of extensive investigative, interviewing and interrogation experience. He is currently a Berks County, PA District Attorney s Office County Detective where he is involved in the investigation of digital evidence. He is an AccessData Certified examiner and has completed the FBI CART Curriculum for Computer Forensic Examiner. The Role of the Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Steele This lecture covers the role of the Assistant District Attorney in criminal cases. The First Assistant District Attorney is second in command in the District Attorney's Office and acts as the District Attorney in her absence. As supervisor of the legal staff, he oversees all operations in the District Attorney's Office, including personnel, policy matters, special assignments, and case assignments. Mr. Steele also maintains a caseload of serious, complicated cases he prosecutes personally including capital homicide offenses. As supervisor of the Detective Bureau, Mr. Steele works closely with the Chief County Detective to formulate office policy and procedures. He also oversees all county detective homicide investigations and investigations involving consensual and non-consensual wiretap interceptions. Prior to his current position, Mr. Steele was Chief of the Trials Division where he oversaw the Arson, Domestic Violence, Drug, Economic Crime, Grand Jury, Insurance Fraud, Major Crime, and Sex Crime Units. Before running the Trials Division, Mr. Steele served as Captain of the Narcotics Unit. Kevin Steele received his Master of Laws Degree in Trial Advocacy from Temple University; his law degree from The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University; and his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the George Washington University. He serves as the First Assistant District Attorney in the Montgomery County District Attorney s Office.

6 Understanding the Chemistry of Latent Fingerprints and Their Enhancement Ruth Croxton There is a plethora of enhancement techniques available to enhance latent fingerprints and subsequently permit identification, such as ninhydrin, powder suspensions and cyanoacrylate fuming. There are, however, occasions when fingerprints are not successfully enhanced. Knowledge and understanding of the chemical composition of latent fingerprint residue and how it changes over time would aid the improvement of current techniques and the development of new ones. There has been increasing interest in the study of latent fingerprint chemistry over the last decade and analytical techniques ranging from infra-red spectroscopy to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry have been employed in this field. This presentation will give an overview of the current knowledge of latent fingerprint chemistry and the direction the field is progressing in. Work carried out at the University of Lincoln developing novel methods for the analysis of latent fingerprint constituents will be presented. The application of these methods to study whether donors who leave good fingerprints for a particular enhancement technique have a different fingerprint residue chemical profile to those who leave poor ones will also be discussed. Dr. Ruth Croxton MRSC is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Natural & Applied Sciences of the University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom. Legal Highs 2011 Mark Baron There has been considerable interest in so called legal highs with the recent banning of substances such as mephedrone and naphyrone in the UK and elsewhere. Manufacturers seem to be one step ahead of the authorities in producing new legal substances that are marketed and sold by suppliers using the internet. Forensic laboratories will increasingly encounter these substances and will be expected to determine the chemical composition of seized substances and analyze biological fluids for the presence of active ingredients and metabolites. This talk will review the current situation with regard to the legal high market and discuss some of the issues likely to be facing the forensic analysis of these new substances. The results of the analysis of some recently purchased products will be presented. Dr. Mark Baron MRSC CChem CSci is the Principal Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at the School of Natural & Applied Sciences of the University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom. Reading the Dead: An Overview of Forensic Anthropology Anna Dhody In this lecture, the basics of how forensic anthropologists analyze human bones to create the biological profile will be discussed. This profile is essential in assisting to identify missing persons and solving crimes. Anna Dhody is the Curator of the Mütter Museum through The College of Physicians of Philadelphia located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.