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The Eberly College of Science

Forensic Science Faculty Research

Our faculty have a wide variety of research interests across all disciplines of forensic science.

Dr. William Campbell

My research interests are in:

  • development of LC/MS techniques for drug analysis of bodily fluids 
  • development of HPLC phase chemistry for drug and alcohol analysis
  • analysis of various matrix types for trace analysis
  • development of HPLC/MS techniques for rapid analysis of designer drugs
  • learn more about Dr. Campbell

Dr. Mitchell Holland

My research interests are in:

  • basic biological discovery, especially in the area of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetics
  • leveraging the power of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to 
    • measure rates of mtDNA heteroplasmy in different population groups
    • evaluate the transmission of heteroplasmic variants between maternal relatives and tissue types
    • assess the impact of damage on the interpretation of low-level heteroplasmic variants
    • develop best practices for the application of MPS approaches to forensic casework.
  • learn more about the Holland Research Group

Stewart Hung

My research interests are in:

  • developing new technologies for real-time sensing of clandestine laboratories
  • researching new methods for trace elemental composition determination of forensically relevant samples
  • investigating new methods to optimize QA programs to increase robustness of forensic analyses
  • improving the state of science education; specifically, the forensic sciences
  • learn more about Mr. Hung

Michael Kusluski

My research interests are in:

  • photonic visualization of gunshot residue patterns on victim clothing
  • reconstruction of shooting incidents involving automobile glass and complex surfaces
  • sequencing of bloodstain patterns

Ralph Ristenbatt

My research interests are in:

  • areas related to crime scene investigation and reconstruction
  • analysis of traces at crime scenes including blood, firearms evidence, impression evidence, etc.
  • aspects of crime scene reconstruction as the apply to forensic veterinary pathology
  • learn more about Penn State CSI

Dr. Reena Roy

My research interests are in:

  • DNA analysis of degraded crime scene samples
  • areas related to forensic biology and trace evidence
  • DNA sequencing of environmentally insulted latent prints after visualization with CTF
  • learn more about Dr. Roy

 

Forensic Research Instrumentation

 

Forensic Grad Student Research

 

Forensic Undergrad Research