crime scene to courtroom forensics training july … scene to courtroom forensics training july...

Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training July 11-12, 2016

Speaker Biographies

Speaker Name Bio

Carol Henderson Carol Henderson is the founding director of the award-winning National

Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) at Stetson

University College of Law. Professor Henderson has planned and managed

NCSTL’S development since 2002. NCSTL provides the only comprehensive

searchable database of science, technology, and law in the world

(www.ncstl.org).

Recognized as an international authority on forensic science and law

Professor Henderson has presented more than 280 lectures and workshops to

thousands of forensic scientists, attorneys, judges, law enforcement

professionals and military personnel worldwide on the topics of scientific

evidence, courtroom testimony, and professional responsibility.

Professor Henderson has more than seventy-five publications on scientific

evidence, law and ethics. Her most recent book, Scientific Review:

Admissibility and Use of Expert Evidence in the Courtroom, Monograph #9,

was published by the American Bar Association in 2013.

Professor Henderson served as the President of the American Academy of

Forensic Sciences (2008-2009), the Journal of Forensic Sciences editorial

board and on the scientific and technical working groups for the National

Institute of Justice. She is the Co-Chair of the Life & Physical Sciences

Division of the American Bar Association’s Science & Technology Law

Section. She serves on the AAFS International Affairs Committee and the

AAFS Think Tank, which keeps abreast of new technology developments and

their impact on the forensic science community. She was recently appointed

as a member of the National Judicial College’s Scientific Evidence Course

faculty.

Professor Henderson received her B.A from the University of Florida and her

JD from George Washington University. Prior to receiving her J.D. she

worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice

Criminal Division. She began her legal career as an Assistant United States

Attorney in Washington, D.C.

http://www.ncstl.org/

Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training July 11-12, 2016 Speaker Name Bio

Stephanie

Vaughan

Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan is an alumna of Stetson University

College of Law, graduating in 1991 after having received her Bachelor of

Arts Degree from the University of Alabama. Dean Vaughan returned to the

Stetson Community as a professor in 1996.

Prior to joining the legal academy, Professor Vaughan worked as an associate

for Tew, Zinober, Barnes, Zimmet, & Unice in Clearwater, Florida, practicing

commercial litigation, representing municipal corporations, analyzing liability

reports for insurance companies, and drafting appellate briefs. Other areas of

law that Dean Vaughan has experience in include contracts, personal injury,

real estate, banking, and workers’ compensation.

Dean Vaughan is currently the Associate Dean for Student Engagement, and

has been Associate Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy,

Interim Director of International Programs, Resident Director of Overseas

Programs, Director of the Tampa Law Center, Co-Director of Legal Research

and Writing, and the Moot Court Advisor. During her time as Moot Court

Advisor, Stetson University College of Law won numerous first-place awards

in every category. Dean Vaughan co-coached Stetson’s Willem C. Vis

International Commercial Arbitration Moot teams to be World Champions in

2005 and Silver Medalists in 2006 and 2009.

Professor Vaughan published Persuasion Is an Art . . . But It Is Also an

Invaluable Tool in Advocacy, 61 Baylor L. Rev. 635 (2009), co-

authored Stetson University College of Law Project for Excellence in Legal

Communication Beginner’s Guide to Oral Argument, and Yes, You Will

Really Use Algebra When You Grow Up: Providing Law Proof That Legal

Research and Writing Is Essential in the Real World, 10 Persps. 105 (Spring

2002). She has also participated in, trained, and lectured on advocacy and

legal research and writing topics around the country.


Max M. Houck Max Houck is the Vice President and Director of Forensic and Intelligence

Services, LLC, providing expertise and consulting in forensic science,

intelligence analysis, management, and anti-money laundering (2011-

present). He received a B.S. in Anthropology in 1984 and an M.A. in

Anthropology in 1988, both from Michigan State University. Dr. Houck went

on to receive his PhD summa cum laude in Applied Chemistry from Curtin

University in Australia in 2010.

Dr. Houck is one of the most-published authors in forensic science. He is the

founder and co-editor of the journal Forensic Science Policy and

Management, as well as co-author of Fundamentals of Forensic Science, a

major textbook.

Formerly, Dr. Houck worked in academia, teaching at West Virginia

University and American University Washington College of Law. He has also

worked in both the private sector and the public sector at the regional and

federal levels, including his time as Director of the Department of Forensic

Science at the District of Columbia Consolidated Forensic Laboratories.

Julie Sikorsky Julie Sikorsky is currently the manager of the Forensic Biology Unit at the

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to

becoming a manager, Julie was a full-time caseworker analyst for over ten

years. She has actively worked hundreds of forensic DNA cases and

regularly offers expert witness testimony. She obtained a bachelor’s of

science degree in molecular biology from the University of California at San

Diego and two master’s degrees from Marshall University in Huntington,

West Virginia, one in forensic science the other in biomedical sciences. Julie

is a certified Fellow of the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) in

molecular biology, and holds memberships in: the American Academy of

Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Society for Forensic Genetics

(ISFG), and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors

(ASCLD). She is also a certified technical assessor for ASCLD/LAB –

International and peer reviews articles for the journal Forensic Science

International: Genetics.

As Sr. Scientist Ms. Sikorsky was responsible for validating and

implementing automation (read robotics) for the extraction of DNA from

forensic samples. The PBSO Forensic Biology Unit was the first small

laboratory to implement this technology. As such, Ms. Sikorsky then had the

opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to speak about our

validation and implementation. Automated DNA extraction is now the

primary method of extraction in most forensic DNA laboratories.


Mark D. Rasch

Mark Rasch is a Principal Client Partner for Verizon Enterprise Solutions, in

charge of strategy and messaging for global security solutions. He is also the

principal at Rasch Technology and Cyberlaw, where he offers litigation,

consulting and counseling services in the area of cyberlaw. Mr. Rasch received

his J.D. from State University of New York College at Buffalo in 1983.

Early in his career Mr. Rasch worked with the U.S. Department of Justice,

where he started the Computer Crime Unit, which eventually led to the creation

of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal

Division. He went on to serve as Chief Privacy Officer for Science Application

International Organization (SAIC) and director of various information security

consulting companies. Mr. Rasch also taught in the fields of cybersecurity, law,

policy and technology at the University of Maryland, George Mason

University, Georgetown University, and American University School of Law.

Most recently, Mr. Rasch was the Cyberlaw Editor for SecurityCurrent.com.

Josh Brunty Josh Brunty works as an Assistant Professor at Marshall University in the

Integrated Science & Technology and Forensic Science Departments.

Professor Brunty teaches in the the areas of digital forensics and information

assurance and focuses his research in digital forensics, mobile device forensics,

network forensics, and image and video forensics. He graduated cum laude

from Marshall University in 2005 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and earned

his M.S. in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Digital Forensics/Information

Security from Marshall University Graduate College in 2009. Professor Brunty

also attended the University of Indianapolis for Forensic Digital Imaging and

Forensic Video Instruction. Professor Brunty holds many certifications in the

discipline of digital forensics, including: AccessData Certified Examiner

(ACE), Cellebrite Certified Mobile Examiner (CCME), AccessData Mobile

Examiner (AME), Computer Hacking Forensic Examiner (CHFI), Seized

Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS), Certified Malware

Investigator, Certified Steganography Examiner, and I am certified by the

National Security Agency in Information Assurance Methodology (NSA-

IAM).

Prior to entering academia, Professor Brunty managed digital forensic research

& casework laboratories at the Marshall University Forensic Science Center

(2008-2013). He also worked as an examiner with the West Virginia State

Police’s Digital Forensic Unit (2005-2008). Additionally, Professor Brunty has

authored and co-authored books, book chapters, and scholarly articles among

other publications.


Matthew F. Redle Matt Redle has been the elected County & Prosecuting Attorney in Sheridan

County, Wyoming since 1987. Previously, he was a Deputy County Prosecutor

in Sheridan County (1980-1986). Mr. Redle earned his J.D. from Creighton

University School of Law in 1978.

In the past, Mr. Redle served as Vice-President of the National District

Attorneys Association (NDAA). He has also been a member of the National

District Attorneys Association DNA Legal Advisory Group since 1995. In

September, 2009, Mr. Redle testified before the United States Senate

Committee in a hearing entitled “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United

States.”

Kenneth E.

Melson

Kenneth Melson is Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington

University Law School. He has been with the University for over 35 years

teaching both law and forensic science courses. Mr. Melson received a B.A.

from Denison University and his J.D. from George Washington University Law

School.

While involved in academia, Mr. Melson also had an impressive career

working in the public sector. He served as a state prosecutor in Arlington

County, Virginia, then in 1983 joined the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Eastern

District of Virginia. In 1986 Mr. Melson became the First Assistant United

States Attorney. In 2007, Attorney General Gonzales appointed Mr. Melson as

the Director of the Executive Office for the U.S. Attorneys. Mr. Melson was

then nominated by President Obama and served as the Acting Director of the

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from 2009-2011.

He then served as the Senior Advisor on Forensic Science in the Office of Legal

Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice. Currently, Mr. Melson works for the

Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service on misconduct and

corruption investigations.

Mr. Melson was co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science for the

Committee on Science of the National Science and Technology Council

within the Executive Office of the President. Additionally, he is a past

President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), as well as

former Chair of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents.


Christine Funk Christine Funk is a private consultant in the field of forensic science and the

law. Ms. Funk’s areas of consulting include pretrial forensic file review and

post-conviction appellate or habeas review for criminal cases. She received a

B.A. in Social Work from College of Saint Catherine (1989) and her J.D. from

Hamline University School of Law (1994). During and prior to consulting, Ms.

Funk was an Assistant Public Defender in the Minnesota Office of the Public

Defender (1994-2013), as well as an attorney with the Department of Forensic

Science. Additionally, she was an Adjunct Professor at William Mitchell

College of Law (2000-2013), teaching courses in criminal law, wrongful

convictions, and advanced advocacy.

Ms. Funk was involved with the Innocence Project of Minnesota from 2003

to 2013 as a member, board member and consultant regarding forensic DNA

issues in cases involving Innocence Project clients. She was also a member of

the Minnesota Forensic Laboratory Advisory Board, the Technical Working

Group on DNA for Defense Attorneys, and White House Sub-Committee to

the Sub-Committee on Forensic Science: Education Ethics and Terminology

Interagency Working Group. Currently she serves on the Legal Resource

Committee for the Organization of Scientific Area Committees. Ms. Funk

has authored and co-authored books, chapters and scholarly articles in the

field of forensic science and the law.

James Ongley Dr. James Ongley is President of ForensicScience. Expert, a forensic science

consulting practice. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1973 with

a B.S. in zoology, University of Florida Medical School in 1977 and NOVA

Southeastern University in Law in 1989. Dr.Ongley was the second lab

manager for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime lab from 2004-2014. He was

a medical examiner in Broward Florida (1983- 1990) and than a public

defender in Broward County for 14 years (190 -2004). The BSO Lab was the

first Sheriff’s Crime Lab in the United States to become internationally

recognized while he was in charge.

He has testified as a medical examiner in death penalty cases and represented

defendants in death penalty cases. He is an adjunct professor on the subjects

of crime scene investigation and crime lab management at NOVA

Southeastern University. He was also President of the Florida Association of

Crime Lab Directors.


Jules Epstein Jules Epstein is a Professor of Law and Director of Advocacy Programs at

Temple University Beasley School of Law. He received a B.A. from the

University of Pennsylvania in 1975 and his J.D. from the University of

Pennsylvania School of law in 1978. Before joining Temple University,

Professor Epstein was an adjunct professor at University of Pennsylvania

(1988-2006), as well as a Professor of Law and Director of the Taishoff

Advocacy, Technology, and public Service Institute at Widener School of Law.

Professor Epstein was also a partner and remains of counsel at the firm of

Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg, LLP, where he continues to handle

capital cases at the appellate and post-conviction stages.

Professor Epstein has taught death penalty law nationally to both judges and

attorneys. He is part of the faculty for the National Judicial College teaching

courses in advanced evidence and capital case law. Additionally, he has

published and served as an expert witness in the area of eye witness testimony.

Professor Epstein was co-editor of Scientific Evidence Review: Admissibility

and the Use of Expert Evidence in the Courtroom, Monograph No. 9 (ABA

Books, 2013) and The Future of Evidence (ABA Books, 2011).

Professor Epstein is a member of the National Commission on Forensic

Science.

Diana Botluk D Diana Botluk is a Reference Librarian and Associate Professor at Barry

University Law Library in Orlando. Previously, she was the Director of

Research at the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law

at Stetson University College of Law. A legal information professional for

over 20 years, Ms. Botluk is also the author of The Legal List: Research on

the Internet, a book published annually by West Group. Named one of the top

eight online legal researchers in T.R. Halvorson’s book, Law of the Super

Searchers: The Online Secrets of Top Legal Researchers, she is an innovative

information professional with a focus on online, legal, and forensic resources.

Ms. Botluk has taught legal and online research courses since 1990. As an

adjunct faculty member, she has taught law school, graduate, and

undergraduate courses in a traditional classroom format and various distance

learning formats. With over 20 years of experience in online research, she has

written dozens of articles, and has designed and delivered many special

seminars, workshops, and demonstrations for a variety of continuing legal

education, continuing library education, and forensic science organizations.

Before joining NCSTL, Ms. Botluk was a Lawyering Skills Instructor and

Reference Librarian in the Judge Kathryn J. Dufour Law Library at Catholic

University Law School in Washington, D.C., where she also earned her J.D.

Ms. Botluk also has a Masters in Information Science from Florida State

University.

crime scene to courtroom forensics training july … scene to courtroom forensics training july...

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