CURRICULM VITAE
EDUCATION: Master of Philosophy in Forensic DNA Profiling of Soil,
Liverpool John Moores University, UK, 2005
Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
Liverpool John Moores University, UK, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Biology
Honours with High Distinction
University of Toronto, Canada, 1998
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
10/19-Present DNA Technical Leader, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Investigations Department.
· Responsible for all technical aspects of DNA STR analysis within the Forensic Biology Unit.
· Validate and implement new methods and technology for DNA analysis and provide training for new and experienced analysts.
· Ensure quality of all casework produced within the unit and compliance with all relevant accreditation requirements.
· Perform internal and external ISO17025 and DNA QAS audits
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​ 07/08-10/19 Supervising Forensic DNA Scientist, Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, Spokane, WA
· Perform, report, and testify to results of forensic serological examinations and DNA analyses (STR and Y-STR).
· Crime scene investigation and bloodstain pattern interpretation.
· Supervise forensic scientists in DNA section.
· Perform internal and external ISO17025 and DNA QAS audits
01/07-07/08 Forensic Biology Scientist, Centre of Forensic Sciences, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
· Perform, report, and testify to results of forensic serological examinations and DNA analyses (STR and Y-STR).
03/04-12/06 DNA Criminalist, Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Phoenix, AZ
· Perform, report, and testify to results of forensic serological examinations and DNA analyses (STR and Y-STR).
· Crime scene investigation and bloodstain pattern interpretation.
09/01-03/04 Forensic Science Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
· Taught undergraduate forensic science courses.
· Co-ordinated and supervised undergraduate research projects.
· Performed research on forensic DNA analysis of soil.
05/00-09/01 Forensic DNA Technician, Lothian & Borders Police Forensic Lab, Edinburgh, UK
· Performed and reported results of forensic STR DNA analyses
01/99-05/00 DNA Criminalist, Kansas City, MO Police Department Crime Lab, MO
· Validated and performed forensic STR DNA analyses.
04/98-01/99 Technical Sale Representative, Helixx Technologies, Etobicoke, Canada
· Biotechnology product development, testing, and sales.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
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7th Annual Workshop on STRmix (9 hours) Virtual, CA DOJ & San Diego PD, San Bernardino, CA, 2021
Interpreting and Reporting DNA Results Workshop (12 hours), SBSD/Simon Gittleson, San Bernardino, CA 2021
2020 Quality Assurance Standards Training (16 hours), FBI Online Course, 2020
HID Future Trend in Forensic DNA Technology (8 hours), Applied Biosystems, Seattle, WA, 2019
5th Annual Workshop on STRmix (24 hours), CA DOJ & San Diego PD, San Diego, CA, 2019
2018 Technology Tour Seminar (8 hours), Promega, Seattle, WA, 2018
4th Annual Workshop on STRmix (24 hours), CA DOJ & San Diego PD, San Diego, CA, 2018
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Introduction to Lean Fundamentals and Six Sigma Operational Improvement (8 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2018
Fundamentals of Successful Project Management (16 hours), SkillPath Seminars, Spokane, WA, 2017.
DNA Technical Leaders Meeting (4 hours), International Symposium on Human Identification, Seattle, WA, 2017
Towards Better Solutions for Body Fluid Identification (8 hours), International Symposium on Human Identification, Seattle, WA, 2017
STRmix Training Workshop (32 hours), Institute of Environmental Research and Science, Seattle, WA, 2017
Viewing Research Through Different Lenses: How to Achieve Success in Court (8 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2017
2016 Tech Tour Seminar (8 hours), Promega, Seattle, WA, 2016
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People (4 hours), American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Symposium, Bellevue, WA, 2016
Addressing Social Issues Encountered in Forensic Science Laboratories: An Interactive Workshop (4 hours), American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Symposium, Bellevue, WA, 2016
Armed Xpert User Group Symposium (24 hours), US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, 2016
Forensic Mixtures: Assessment, Analysis and Technology: Current Methods, New Approaches and Disruptive Technologies (8 hours), International Symposium on Human Identification, Grapevine, TX, 2015
Technical Leaders Meeting (4 hours), International Symposium on Human Identification, Grapevine, TX, 2015
Developing Emotional Intelligence (8 hours), Fred Pryor Seminars, Spokane, WA, 2015
Obtaining Successful DNA Profiles from Challenging Samples (8 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 2015
Scientific Neutrality in Expert Witness Testimony (4 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 2015
ASCLD/LAB International Assessor Training Course for Testing Laboratories (34 hours), American Society of Crime Lab Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board, Las Vegas, NV, 2014
Root Cause Analysis – When Blaming the Analyst Completely Misses the Point (4 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2014
Managing the 21st Century Forensic Science Organizations (8 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2014
ArmedXpert DNA Mixture Analysis Software Training (8 hours), NicheVision, Seattle, WA, 2013
Amplifying Productivity in Today’s Forensic Laboratory (4 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 2013
Calculating Likelihood Ratios Incorporating a Probability of Drop-Out (4 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 2013
Advanced Y-STR Training (8 hours), Sorenson Forensics, Portland, OR, 2013
HID Future Trends in Forensic DNA Technology, Life Technologies, Seattle, WA, 2012
Plexor HY System and Analysis Software Training (8 hours), Promega, Spokane, WA, 2012
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) 7.0 Training (20 hours), FBI, Portland, OR, 2012
Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction (40 hours), Green Forensics, Shelton, WA, 2012
Advanced DNA Mixture Interpretations and Statistical Approaches (16 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2012
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis II (40 hours), Bevel & Gardner, Shelton, WA, 2012
Statistical Methods for DNA Evidence (8 hours), International Conference on Forensic Inference and Statistics, Seattle, WA, 2011
ASCLD/LAB Internal Auditor Training (32 hours), American Society of Crime Lab Directions/Laboratory Accreditation Board, Emeryville, CA, 2011
Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation from Photographs (4 hours), International Association for Identification Annual Conference, Spokane, WA, 2010
Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation on Clothing (4 hours), International Association for Identification Annual Conference, Spokane, WA, 2010
Crime Scene Fingerprint Processing (8 hours), Washington State Patrol, Spokane, WA, 2010
Advances in Forensic DNA Analysis (10 hours), American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2010
Bullet Trajectory Analysis (10 hours), Washington State Patrol, Seattle, WA, 2009
Firearms Safety Handling Procedures (6 hours), Washington State Patrol, Seattle, WA, 2009
DNA Mixture Analysis (24 hours), Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists Fall Conference, Fort Collins, CO, 2009
DNA Population Statistcs & Likelihood Ratios (24 hours), George Carmody, Seattle, WA, 2009
Advanced GeneMapper ID-X Software Training, Applied Biosystems, Seattle, WA, 2009
Forensic Y-STR Training (34 hours), Marshall University Forensic Science Centre, Huntington, VA, 2009
Future Trends in Forensic DNA Technology, Applied Biosystems, Seattle, WA, 2009
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Training, FBI, Arlington, VA, 2009
Leadership in Police Organizations, Washington State Patrol, Shelton, WA, 2008
Quality Assurance Standards Auditor Training , FBI, Arlington, VA, 2008
Future Trends in Forensic DNA Technology, Applied Biosystems, Seattle, WA, 2008
Human Identification e-Symposium on DNA Interpretation, The Forensic Institute, UK, 2008
Homicide Investigation, Trial Preparation and Testimony, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 2008
GeneMapper ID-X Next Generation Forensic Data Analysis Software and Expert System, Applied Biosystems, Webinar, 2007
Expert Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, 2007
Forensic DNA Statistics (24 hours), Bruce Budowle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2007
Annual Workshop on DNA Technology, Centre of Forensic Sciences & Promega, Canada, 2007
Human Identification e-Symposium on Profiling Degraded and Low Amounts of DNA, The Forensic Institute, UK, 2007
Forensic DNA Statistics (24 hours), Bruce Budowle & John Planz, Tucson, AZ, 2006
Math and Physics for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (40 hours), Ontario Police College, Canada, 2006
Future Trends in Forensic DNA Technology, Applied Biosystems, Phoenix, AZ, 2006
DNA Mixture Interpretation (24 hours), George Carmody & Ray Wickenheiser, Phoenix, AZ, 2006
Statistical Analysis of Forensic DNA Evidence (16 hours), George Carmody, Phoenix, AZ, 2006
Promega 2005 Summer Expedition, Phoenix, AZ, 2005.
Basic & Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Recognition (80 hours), MVP Forensics, Scottsdale, AZ, 2005
Parentage and Mixture Statistics, International Symposium on Human Identification, Phoenix, AZ, 2004
Y-STRs: Practical Considerations and Interpretation Issues, International Symposium on Human Identification, Phoenix, AZ, 2004
Future Trends in Forensic DNA Technology, Applied Biosystems, Phoenix, AZ, 2004
Forensic Serology Training, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Phoenix, AZ, 03/04-05/04
Advanced Course on Forensic Human Identification (35 hours), Forensic Toxicological Service Analytical Unit, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK, 2003
Y-Chromosome Analysis & Its Application to Forensic Casework, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2002
Basic Fingerprinting Technology, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2002
Blood Pattern Analysis, Forensic Alliance Ltd, Oxford, UK, 2001
Bond Solon Courtroom Skills and Cross Examination Training, Lothian & Borders Police Forensic Lab, Edinburgh, UK, 2001
STR Analysis Data: Processing, Interpretation and Storage, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2001
Sexual Offences Investigation, Lothian & Borders Police Forensic Lab, Edinburgh, UK, 2000
Death Investigation, Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Kansas City, MO, 1999
Crime Scene Investigation Techniques Course (80 hours), Kansas City Police Department, Kansas City, MO, 1999
ABI Prism 310 Capillary Electrophoresis and AmpFlSTR PCR, PE Biosystems, Kansas City, MO, 1999
Search & Seizure and Courtroom Demeanor, Jackson County Prosecutor, Kansas City, MO, 1999
Internship, Firearms & Toolmarks Section, Centre of Forensic Sciences, Toronto, Canada, 1998
Death Investigation Conference, Jefferson Parish Coroner, New Orleans, LA, 1995
Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection, Peel Police, Mississauga, Canada, 1995
PRESENTATIONS/COURSES INSTRUCTED:
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Hot Topics in DNA Analysis; Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Detectives; Spokane, WA; 2018
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Child Sexual Assault Evidence Collection; Tri-Cities Law Enforcement Officers, Prosecutors, and Medical Staff; Kadlec Hospital, Kennewick, WA, USA; 2013
Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Law Enforcement Training; Grant County Law Enforcement Officers; Moses Lake, WA, USA; 2011
Hot Topics in DNA Analysis; Spokane Police Detectives; Spokane, WA, USA; 2011
Identifiler Plus DNA Mixture Interpretation; Washington State Patrol Forensic DNA Analysts; Seattle, WA, USA; 2011
Likelihood Ratio Statistics for DNA Mixture Analysis; Washington State Patrol Forensic DNA Analysts; Seattle, WA, USA; 2010
Forensic DNA Analysis; Arizona Homicide Investigators Association Annual Conference; Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2006
Careers in Criminalistics; Criminalistic Students – Everest College; Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2006
Y-STR Casework Experience; Arizona Crime Laboratories Peer Group Meeting; Tucson, AZ, USA; 2006
DNA Evidence Identification, Collection & Preservation for Law Enforcement (via US Dept. of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Program);
Police Officers - Phoenix, Arizona, USA; January 2006
Police Officers - Reno, Nevada, USA; February 2006
Police Officers (and filmed for DVD) - Huntsville, Texas, USA; March 2006
Police Officers & Civilian DNA experts (Train the Trainer format) - Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; March 2006
Forensic DNA Analysis; Crime scene Investigators and Police Detectives from across Arizona, USA; 2005
DNA Profiling for Forensic Soil Comparisons; Paper Presentation to colleagues - American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Conference; Dallas, TX; 2004
Forensic Science Careers; Community College Students - Bolton Sixth Form College Careers Day;
Bolton, UK; 2003
Forensic Biology; High School Students – Winstanley College Biology Conference; Wigan, UK; 2003
Biological Evidence Collection & Packaging; Central Ontario Crime Prevention Association; 1998
Blood Evidence Collection; Forensic Science Students – Forensic Science Society; University of Toronto; 1995
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
Heath, L. and Saunders, V., Spatial Variation in Bacterial DNA Profiles for Forensic Soil Comparisons. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, 41(1), 29-37, 2008.
Heath, L. and Saunders, V., DNA Profiling for Forensic Soil Comparisons. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51 (5), 1062-1068, 2006.
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Harland, J., Reid, A., Pitt, S., Prosser, M. and Heath, L. Do Student Feelings About Their Term-Time Employment Relate to Any Effects on Their Work? Paper presented at Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference, Glasgow, UK, 2002
GRANTS AWARDED:
Forensic Science Foundation Acorn Grant, 2003
CONFERENCES ATTENDED:
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American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Annual Symposium – 2016
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International Conference on Forensic Inference and Statistics – 2011
International Association for Identification Annual Conference – 2019, 2010
Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists Fall Conference – 2019, 2009
Annual National CODIS Conference – 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2008
American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting – 2022, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1997
International Symposium on Human Identification (Promega) – 2019, 2017, 2015, 2004
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Annual Conference – 1996, 1995
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Technical Assessor – American Society of Crime Lab Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (now ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board), 2014-Present
Fellow (Molecular Biology) – American Board of Criminalistics, 2011-Present
Member – International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, 2005-Present
Fellow – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2013-Present
Full Member – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2005-2013
Provisional Member – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2002-2005
Trainee Affiliate – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2000-2002
Student Affiliate – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1997-2000
Full Member – Forensic Science Society, 2001-2003
Member – Missouri Division of International Association of Identification, 1999-2000
Student Member – Canadian Society of Forensic Science, 1996-1998