Stevenson University Online, a leader in forensic education, is pleased to announce the formation of a new resource for forensic professionals, the Center for Forensic Excellence.

What is the purpose of the Center?

The Center for Forensic Excellence is intended to serve as a model of excellence and support to the field of forensics and will assist in improving equal justice through training, research, publications, and resource sharing. It will provide continuing professional education for career development, conduct and publish scholarly and applied research, and hold events for forensics professionals.

When will the Center and its resources be available?

The Center’s first conference held in May 2015, was attended by many leading law enforcement officials throughout Maryland and included a keynote address by the United States Attorney. The purpose of the conference was to identify opportunities and challenges facing forensic professionals in the state of Maryland. The Center’s advisory board gathered input from meeting attendees and formulated the Center’s immediate action items which are included in the July 2015 Progress Report. For a copy of the July 2015 report, please contact us at suo-inquiry@stevenson.edu or call 1-877-531-7113.

In November 2015, the Center held its first meeting of forensic educators from Maryland colleges and universities in response to challenges and opportunities in forensic higher education that were raised at the inaugural meeting. As a result of the November 2015 meeting, Maryland forensic educators and employers identified opportunities to improve student skills and prepare graduates to enter the forensics workplace. Notes from the November 2015 meeting can be downloaded under News.

In early June 2016, the Center held a conference with prominent criminal justice leaders and forensic educators. Attendees participated in discussions on topics including forensic entomology, polygraph examination, gunshot residue, DNA, and computer forensics.

In October 2017, the Center partnered with the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association (MSAA) and held a training for area prosecutors, victim witness advocates, police and support staff. The Forensic Day event included information about forensic interviewing and digital and cyber forensics. Presentations can be downloaded under News.

When is the next conference?

The Advisory Committee will meet and determine the next event to be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact us at suo-inquiry@stevenson.edu or call 1-877-531-7113.

Tips for Testifying

Forensic and Criminology Programs in Maryland

The Forensics Report Fall 2017 – A Scholarly Newsletter Showcasing Maryland Forensic Science Students

MSAA Training Presentation: Internet of Things (IoT): A Primer for Law Enforcement

MSAA Training Presentation: Are we Raising Digital Criminals?

MSAA Training Presentation: Investigative Interviewing, Thinking Forensically – The New Paradigm

Center for Forensic Excellence Forensic Educators Meeting Notes November 2015

Joyce K. Becker, J.D.
Dean, Stevenson Univeristy Online and Professor of Law at Stevenson University
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law
B.S., College of Notre Dame of Maryland

  • Associate Dean, Assessment & Institutional Research and Chair, Legal Studies Department at Stevenson University.
  • Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Circle of Excellence (2009) and Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2007, 2004).
  • More than 20 years of experience practicing law.
  • Chair of the Academic Committee for the Archbishop Curley High School Board.

Thomas Coogan, J.D.
Associate Dean of Forensics, Department Chair, and Professor of Forensic Studies at Stevenson University
B.A., Hamilton College
M.A., Antioch College
J.D., Antioch School of Law

  • Named a Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. Department of State to teach at the Institute of Criminology at the University of Malta.
  • Experience working in law enforcement with the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Justice.
  • Performed executive positions with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Postal Service, and Legal Services Corporation.
  • Admitted to practice law in New Hampshire, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Darlene Brothers-Gray
Assistant Professor, Director of Forensic Science at Coppin State University
B.S., Mount Saint Vincent University
M.F.S., M.S.Pharm, University of Florida

  • Former Coordinator of Crime Scene Technology Program with Gulf Coast State College.
  • Previously worked as a Crime Scene Investigator with the Atlanta Police Department.
  • Former Identification Technician with the Atlanta Police Department.
  • Earned an Online Learning Consortium Certification to develop online courses.

Alexandria V. Browne
Adjunct Faculty of Forensic Studies at Stevenson University
B.S., Bowie State University
M.S., Stevenson University
CDFM, Association of Military Comptroller

  • More than 15 years of analyzing financial problems while accounting for a net operating income of approximately $35 million dollars.
  • Experience working with internal and external auditors and accounting professionals within the private and governmental sector.
  • Performed financial statement and compliance audits and reviews for Real Estate Investment Trust Co. and U.S. Department of Defense.
  • Serves as a mentor and advisor for students along with entry-level professionals.​

Thomas N. Byrd, J.D.
Program Coordinator of Cyber Forensics and Adjunct Professor of Forensic Studies at Stevenson University
J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law
M.S., Illinois Institute of Technology
B.S., University of Nebraska

  • Manager within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber Division, who authored highly regarded intelligence products, participated in national Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies conferences and energetically supported government- industry collaboration sponsored by the U.S. Intelligence Community.

  • More than 12 years of experience in Information Assurance, Cyber Law, Policy and Ethics, Risk Management, Cyber Security – Incident Response, Mobile Security and Digital Forensics.

  • Strategic and academic consultant integrating the principles of system engineering into information security in support of the information assurance strategies for numerous components within the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and various other U.S. government and corporate agencies.

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Articu-Tech, LLC., a Maryland Tech Startup company that exposes primary and secondary students to the science and technology behind mobile devices and digital forensics.

Emmet Davitt, J.D.
Adjunct Professor of Forensic Studies at Stevenson University
B.A., University of Virginia
J.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore

  • Maryland State Prosecutor.
  • Previously worked as Deputy General Counsel for the Public Service Commission of Maryland.
  • Former Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Former member of the Baltimore County Bar Association (Chairperson, CLE Committee 2001-02; 2003-04; 2007-08).
  • Served on the Board of Trustees, Community College of Baltimore County (2009-11).

Rana DellaRocco
Director and Quality Assurance Manager, Forensic Science Laboratory Section, Forensic Sciences and Evidence Management Division, Baltimore Police Department, Adjunct Professor of Forensic DNA Technologies at Towson University
B.S., University of Maryland Baltimore County
M.S., University of Florida

  • Awarded a Baltimore City Fellowship at the University of Baltimore in 2016 to pursue her second master’s degree in Public Administration.
  • Board Certified in Molecular Biology through the American Board of Criminalistics, D-ABC (MB).
  • More than 18 years of experience in the forensic laboratory, specializing in forensic biology.
  • Member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, The American Congress of Forensic Science Laboratories, The American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the Maryland Forensic Laboratory Advisory Committee as well as the Academic Advisory Board, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University, and The Maryland Forensic Educators Committee.
  • Consultant Technical Assessor for the National Forensic Science Technology Center and a Technical Expert Assessor for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.

Mitchell Dinterman
Crime Scene Section Manager at Maryland State Police
A.S., Baltimore County Community College

  • More than 27 years of experience in forensic science.
  • Former Assistant Commander of the Forensic Sciences Division at Maryland State Police Department.
  • Extensive experience in crime scene investigation, bloodstain pattern analysis, and bullet trajectory analysis.
  • Certified ASCLD/LAB Assessor.
  • Member of the International Association for Identification and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts.

Erin M. Gorden
DNA Analyst (FS2), Emerging Technologies Section – The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL)
B.A., Rutgers College
M.F.S., George Washington University

  • More than 10 years of experience working in a forensic DNA laboratory on forensic casework, validation, and research projects supporting the personnel accounting mission of the AFDIL.
  • Experienced in laboratory processing and data analysis of challenging forensic samples.
  • Former Adjunct Faculty Member at Loyola University.
  • Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

John E Grimes III., CFE, CFI
Adjunct Professor of Forensic Studies at Stevenson University
B.A., Notre Dame of Maryland University
M.S., Stevenson University

  • More than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, criminal investigation, and fraud examination.
  • More than 18 years of experience as a Certified Fraud Examiner.
  • President of the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
  • Former Detective with the Baltimore City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
  • Past Captain of the Amtrak Police Department Fraud and Organized Crime Unit.
  • Previously worked as Chief Inspector of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General/Office of Investigations.

Thomas P. Mauriello
Senior Lecturer in Criminalistics, University of Maryland, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, CEO, ForensIQ, Inc.
B.A., Suffolk University
M.F.S., George Washington University

  • More than 40 years of experience in law enforcement and counterintelligence field.
  • Former Special Agent for the U.S. Department of Defense.
  • Taught as an Adjunct Professor for 40 years.
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences Fellow.
  • Member of the International Association of Identification, Maryland Polygraph Association, and Operations Security Professionals Society.
  • Currently serves as a Forensic Consultant.
  • Hosts the webcast TV show titled ForensicWeek.com.
  • Author of Criminal Investigation Handbook – Strategy, Law and Science and Introduction to Criminalistics – From Crime Lab to Court Room.

Kathleen C. Murphy, J.D.
Chief of the Fraud and Corruption Unit of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office
B.A., Wake Forest University
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law

  • Oversees the Fraud and Corruption Task Force of the Office of the Attorney General.
  • Former Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit Chief.
  • Over 20 years of prosecutorial experience.

William Olsen, CFE, CAMS, CIA
National Practice Leader for Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption Services, Grant Thornton LLP
B.A., Villanova University
B.S., Regis University

  • More than 25 years of public accounting and consulting experience.
  • Current President Institute of Fraud Prevention (“IFP”).
  • Named within Consulting Magazine’s list of top 25 consultants.
  • Named within National Law Journal’s list of top 50 Trailblazers and Pioneers.
  • Authored the Anti-Corruption handbook.

John Schott, DSc, CISSP, CISM, GCIA
Cyber Systems Engineer, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
B.S., Towson University
M.S., Stevenson University
M.S., U.S. Army War College
DSc., Capitol Technology University

  • More than 20 years of experience in multidisciplinary cyber security.
  • Former CIO and Computer Network Defense Team Chief with the Maryland Army National Guard.
  • Extensive experience in engineering, developing, and testing cyber security solutions.

David Rivers, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology and Director of Forensic Studies at Loyola University
B.S., Ball State University
Ph.D., Ohio State University

  • Appointed NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, University of Wisconsin.
  • Experience in the use of necrophagous flies and parasitic Hymenoptera in criminal and civil investigations.
  • Extensive experience in the development, implementation and assessment of forensic and undergraduate science programs and courses.
  • Member of the Council of Forensic Science Educators, North American Forensic Entomology Association, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst, and NSF’s Project Kaleidoscope Faculty.

John (Jay) Tobin, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Stevenson University
A.A., Hartford Community College
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park
M.S.F.S, George Washington University
Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore

  • More than 38 years of experience in forensic science.
  • Former Director of the Forensic Sciences Division at the Department of State Police.
  • Previously worked as Chief Chemist at the Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory.
  • Served as a member of the Maryland Forensic Science Advisory Board and advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Maryland State Police.
  • Past Adjunct Faculty member at Harford Community College and Towson University.

Members of the Center’s Educators Committee can serve as guest lecturers at area high schools and colleges upon request on the following topics: Forensic Biology, Forensic DNA and Serology, Forensic Serology, photographic techniques, the chemistry of Luminol, Forensic Entomology, and Crime Scene Processing.

For more information, please contact us at suo-inquiry@stevenson.edu or call 1-877-531-7113.

David Rivers, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology and Director of Forensic Studies at Loyola University
B.S., Ball State University
Ph.D., Ohio State University

  • Appointed NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, University of Wisconsin.
  • Experience in the use of necrophagous flies and parasitic Hymenoptera in criminal and civil investigations. Extensive experience in the development, implementation and assessment of forensic and undergraduate science programs and courses.
  • Member of the Council of Forensic Science Educators, North American Forensic Entomology Association, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst, and NSF’s Project Kaleidoscope Faculty.

Emily S. Boward
Science Laboratory Technician at Frederick Community College
B.A., Hood College

  • Researched and published studies in the field of forensic serology on the topic of semen identification.
  • Co-authored and published textbook/lab manual: Forensic Science Techniques (Academx Publishing Services, Inc.).
  • Experience in molecular biology techniques: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, primer design, restriction digests.
  • Extensive experience in preparation and implementation of undergraduate laboratory courses.

Darlene Brothers-Gray
Assistant Professor, Director of Forensic Science at Coppin State University
B.S., Mount Saint Vincent University
M.F.S., M.S., University of Florida

  • Former Coordinator of Crime Scene Technology Program with Gulf Coast State College.
  • Previously worked as a Crime Scene Investigator with the Atlanta Police Department.
  • Former Identification Technician with the Atlanta Police Department.
  • Earned an Online Learning Consortium Certification to develop online courses.

Rana DellaRocco
Director and Quality Assurance Manager, Forensic Science Laboratory Section, Forensic Sciences and Evidence Management Division, Baltimore Police Department, Adjunct Professor of Forensic DNA Technologies at Towson University
B.S., University of Maryland Baltimore County
M.S., University of Florida.

  • Awarded a Baltimore City Fellowship at the University of Baltimore in 2016 to pursue her second Master’s degree in Public Administration. Board Certified in Molecular Biology through the American Board of Criminalistics.
  • Over 18 years of experience in the forensic laboratory beginning in crime scene and ultimately specializing in Forensic Biology.
  • Member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, The American Congress of Forensic Science Laboratories, The American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the Maryland Forensic Laboratory Advisory Committee as well as the Academic Advisory Board, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University and several other professional organizations.
  • Consultant Technical Assessor for the National Forensic Science Technology Center and a Technical Expert Assessor for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.

Kelly Elkins, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Towson University, Graduate Faculty for FEPAC-accredited Master of Science in Forensic Science program, Past-President of Council of Forensic Science Educators
B.S., B.A., Keene State College
M.A., Ph.D., Clark University

  • Former Fulbright Scholar at the European Media Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Former Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow in the Biology Department, MIT.
  • Former Forensic Science Program Director (2010-2012) at Metropolitan State College of Denver FEPAC-Accredited Criminalistics program.
  • Author of Forensic DNA Biology: A Laboratory Manual (2013) published by Elsevier Academic Press Development of real-time PCR high resolution melt assays to differentiate, identify, and quantitate food-borne pathogen and “legal-high” plant drug species.
  • Extensive experience in the development, implementation and assessment of forensic graduate and undergraduate science programs and courses.
  • Member of the Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE), Forensic Educators Committee in Maryland, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, American Chemical Society (ACS), Elected Alternate Councilor of the Maryland Section of the ACS, ACS Exams Institute Diagnostic of Undergraduate Knowledge Exam Committee, and ACS Committee on Ethics (ETHX).

Laura Ellsworth
Professor and Chair, Department of Public Safety and Law, Prince George’s Community College
B.A., University of Maryland
M.F.S., The George Washington University

  • Former Forensic Services Technician, Baltimore County Police Department
  • Member of American Academy of Forensic Sciences, International Association for Identification, Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, Chesapeake Bay Division-International Association for Identification, Harvard Associates in Police Science and the Council of Forensic Science Educators.

Gwen Gilinger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology at the Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland
B.A., Drew University
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

  • Postdoctoral fellowships at DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company and Thomas Jefferson University.
  • Research Associate at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
  • Extensive experience in teaching undergraduate microbiology and in implementation of a classroom undergraduate research experience (CURE).
  • Instructor in introductory forensic biology.
  • Member of the Maryland Collegiate STEM Conference Steering Committee.

Katie Olmstead
Forensic Science and Biology Educator at Harford Technical High School
B.S., St. Lawrence University
M.S. New York Institute of Technology

  • Standard Professional Certification II- Biology VA, MD
  • Monitored the implementation of minority achievement requirements to increase minority achievement, eliminate the achievement gap and ensure equitable access to education.
  • Extensive experience in the development of common assessment, data analysis and curriculum development of Biology at the secondary level.
  • Experience in implementing ideas, plans and strategies to support increased achievement and partnership with Harford County Public Schools.
  • Extensive knowledge in facilitating and mentoring student growth and development.
  • Adviser and sponsor for the Science Club, Science & Math Club, Inventions and Innovations Club and Cyber Security.

Howard Schindler
Adjunct Professor Stevenson University, Dean of Students and Forensics Teacher St. Paul’s School
B.S, SUNY Cortland
M.S., Johns Hopkins University

  • Experienced in the development and implementation of forensic science programs and courses for high school.
  • Workshop Leader Field Studies by the Sea “The Classroom as a Crime Lab” College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME.
  • Science Sleuths: Solving Mysteries Using Scientific Inquiry Prufrock Press, 2009.
  • Develops activities for use in the forensic classes through MSI Forensics.
  • Frequent presenter at NSTA conventions.

Alison Shao
Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Stevenson University
B.S., University of Connecticut
M.S. University at Albany

  • Adjunct professor for introductory, undergraduate-level Forensic Science courses and graduate-level Forensic Serology laboratories.
  • Faculty mentor for Forensic Biology graduate students completing Master’s Degree thesis projects.
  • Experience working in forensic DNA laboratories with the Baltimore City Police Department Crime Lab and BRT Laboratories, Inc.
  • Experience as Forensic Director and DNA Technical Leader at BRT Laboratories, Inc.
  • Member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists.