Forensic archaeology, bomb investigations, computer forensics among topics of URI’s fall Forensic Science Seminar Series
Series
to begin with Boston Globe, WPRI Channel 12 reporters discussing investigative
journalism
Experts on bomb investigations, forensic archaeology, and cold case investigations are among the speakers for the fall University of Rhode Island Forensic Science Seminar Series, which runs Friday afternoons from Sept. 16 through Dec. 9.
The fall series, which also includes lectures on
recreational cannabis legalization, forensic genealogy and expert witness
testimony, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Room 100 of the Beaupre Center
for Chemical and Forensic Sciences on URI’s Kingston Campus. This is the 24th
year of the free, public seminar series, which also offers lectures in the
spring. See the full schedule.
Those who cannot attend in person may view the
lectures live online or at a later date by going to https://www.chm.uri.edu/forensics/seminars.php and
clicking on the link in the topic section.
“This is the Forensic Science Partnership’s 24th year of providing seminars from experts on
topical subjects related to forensic science,” said Dennis Hilliard, director
of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory and co-founder of URI’s Forensic
Science Partnership. “We are fortunate to have so many local presenters,
especially from the University, and three renowned reporters who will discuss
their work in investigative journalism. There are also three well-respected
presenters, who will travel to URI to participate in our program. The Forensic
Science Partnership represents a model of successful investment in the core
chemistry program at URI in close partnership with the State Crime Laboratory,
within the College of Pharmacy.”
Schedule of speakers and topics:
- Sept.
16 – “Investigative Journalism,” Amanda Milkovits of The Boston Globe and
Tim White and Eli Sherman of WPRI Channel 12. Milkovits is a Globe
staff writer covering Rhode Island. She has worked as a reporter at New
England newspapers since 1993, including nearly 19 years at The Providence
Journal covering crime and criminal justice. White is a Target 12 investigative reporter and managing
editor. He joined the 12 News team in September 2006. Sherman joined Target 12 in 2019, having previously worked
as an investigative reporter for GateHouse Media. He’s also covered
economics for Providence Business News and worked as a metro reporter for
the Waltham News Tribune.
- Sept.
23 – “Recreational Cannabis Legalization Issues,” John Malloy, special
assistant to the Rhode Island Attorney General.
- Sept.
30 – “Archaeologist and Repatriation Specialist,” Fiona Jones, of URI’s
Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
- Oct.
7 – “Bomb Investigations,” Kirk Yeager, the FBI’s chief explosives
scientist. He has approximately 25 years of experience with improvised
explosives and IEDs, has presented over 200 talks at international
meetings and conferences, has produced over 80 specialty publications in
the area of explosives and IEDs, including four book chapters.
- Oct.
14 – “Firearms and Tool Mark Examinations,” Robert Thompson. Thompson has
been a senior forensic science research manager with the Special Programs
Office-Forensic Sciences at the National Institute for Standards and
Technology since 2008. He has more than 40 years of experience as a
forensic scientist and criminalist.
- Oct.
21 – “Investigative Genetic Genealogy,” Cairenn Binder, an investigative
genetic genealogist and registered nurse living in Westchester County, New
York. Binder first became interested in genetic genealogy as a means to
finding biological family after learning her mother was adopted. She began
working as a forensic genetic genealogist in 2018 with the DNA Doe
Project, contributing to more than a dozen solved cases including victims
of serial killers John Wayne Gacy, Keith Hunter Jesperson and Gary
Ridgway.
- Oct.
28 – “Crafting a Defense,” Kara Hoopis-Manosh. As a lawyer, she has
dedicated her career to defending the rights of the criminally accused,
handling thousands of cases and appearing in every courthouse in Rhode
Island. She has been trained by The Institute for Criminal Defense
Advocacy, The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, The
National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute, and The
Defender Advocacy Institute.
- Nov.
4 – “Computer Forensics,” Victor Fay-Wolfe, a professor of computer
science at URI. Fay-Wolfe teaches in the University’s Digital Forensics
and Cyber Security Center, which supports state, national, and
international public welfare through education, research, training, and
service in forensic investigations and securing information systems. The
National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have
selected URI as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Education and in Cybersecurity Research.
- Nov.
9 – “Opiate Crisis and Narcan Intervention,” Anita Jacobson, a URI
clinical professor of pharmacy and coordinator of the Pharmacists’ Patient
Care Process Laboratories. Her scholarship focuses on pharmacist-patient
communication, especially related to vulnerable patient populations and/or
conditions associated with stigma, such as mental health and substance use
disorders. She is the program director of the Community First Responder
Program (uri.edu/CFRP), and her clinical practice site is Eleanor Slater
Hospital, which is part of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral
Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.
- Nov.
18 – “Cold Case Investigations,” Anita Cormier, retired detective of the
Pawtucket Police Department. Cormier joined the department as a patrol
officer in 1993, making detective in 2005 and working major crimes since
2007. She retired in June.
- Nov.
25 – No lecture, Thanksgiving recess
- Dec.
2 – “Watching Paint Dry,” Otto Gregory. Gregory is a URI distinguished
professor of engineering, whose research interests include forensic
engineering and chemical sensors for trace detection of explosives. His
work has been funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, the U.S.
Air Force and Army and the Department of Homeland Security. He developed
the “Digital Dog Nose,” a sensor-based device the size of a toolbox that
could soon be placed at subway stations, train stations, airports, and
ports to detect bombs. Gregory successfully mounted the device on a drone
as well.
- Dec.
9 – “Expert Witness Testimony,” Gil Sapir, a forensic science consultant
and attorney in Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and
biology from Colorado State University; his law degree from
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law; and a master’s degree in criminalistics
from the University of Illinois-Chicago.