Professor of Chemistry
Director, Forensic Science Graduate Program

B.S. Florida International University
M.S. University of Miami
Ph.D. University of Strathclyde

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Research Statement

 

Research Interests:

Development and application of analytical chemistry tools to enhance the value of scientific evidence in legal disputes. The application of novel extraction methodology such as solid phase microextraction (SPME) for the isolation of ultra-trace quantities of analytes of interest. Examples of these are the isolation of flammable and combustible liquid residues used in arsons and explosive residues used in bombings from complex matrices. Development of methodologies using hyphenated techniques for the separation and identification of these chemical species by a variety of methods and the use of these techniques for the detection and identification of other organic species of forensic interest such as controlled substances. Development of methodology for the characterization and forensic evaluation of materials by elemental composition and statistical analysis, specifically the determination of ultra-trace quantities of metals in glass by ICP-AES, ICP-MS, and LA-ICP-MS.