BMB Welcomes Michael Kusluski to the Faculty
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department and Forensic Science Program welcome Michael Kusluski as the newest member of the faculty. Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics in 1992 from Wayne State University and earned his Master of Forensic Sciences degree from George Washington University, in Washington DC in 1995. His graduate work explored topics such as forensic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, instrumental analysis, forensic serology, firearms & tool mark examination, questioned document examination, personal identification, and criminal law.
In addition to his experience in forensic science, Michael worked for many years as a scientist, engineer, and laboratory manager in the private sector for Fuisz Technologies Inc., Sensor Developments Inc., and General Motors. Michael worked as a Forensic Scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation as an expert witness in the examination of firearms and tool marks evidence. He worked as a Forensic Chemist with the Detroit Police Department, in their Forensic Services Section, analyzing suspected controlled substances. Michael’s career took him next to the Michigan State Police (MSP) where he worked as a Forensic Scientist in the Controlled Substances and Firearms Units, as well as on the Crime Scene Response Team and Blood Spatter Units. He also oversaw the construction to a Crime Scene Response Vehicle for the MSP Sterling Heights Laboratory.
Michael comes to Penn State from Madonna University, a small Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan, where he served as an Assistant Professor in the Forensic Science Program. Throughout his career his work has focused on firearms & tool marks (i.e., ballistics), drug analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis and crime scene reconstruction. Michael has also served as adjunct instructor at his alma mater, Wayne State University, for the past 16 years, as well as at the University of Akron-Technical and Community College in1998, and Macomb Community College in 2007. In 2011 he was named a Fellow, Comprehensive Criminalistics, of the American Board of Criminalistics. Michael also holds membership in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Association for Identification (IAI), the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA), and is a Technical Advisor to the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE).
Michael is excited to be joining the department as a member of the Forensic Science faculty saying, “The program is outstanding! Even in a fairly small field like Forensics, this program has a solid reputation.” Additionally, he believes that the resources Penn State provides for teaching and research will enable him to have a larger and longer lasting impact on the forensic science community. As an added benefit Michael learned, during his interview process, that several other Penn State faculty are also actively involved in research projects related to gunshot residue. “I am looking forward to collaborating with them,” he says.
Michael’s main research focus is in the area of gunshot residue patterns on clothing, often referred to as powder burns or stippling. For decades, forensic scientists have used the size and density of these patterns to determine how far away a shooter was from their victim. The basic principle states that when a bullet exits the barrel of a gun, a large percentage of the gunpowder behind it has not burned up yet.
If someone is shot at close range, say three to four feet or less, gunpowder particles, along with a lot of soot, smoke and debris, are propelled onto the victim’s clothing or skin. If a shooter is at closer range, the residue patterns are small and concentrated. As the distance between the shooter and their victim increases, the residues expelled from the gun have more time to spread and separate in the air, leaving a wider, more dispersed pattern.
Once gunshot residues are detected, an analyst can estimate the distance the shooter was from their victim by conducting a series of controlled shooting experiments. The diameter and density of the residues found on the victim’s clothing is then compared to the standards found during experimentation to develop an estimate of the range between shooter and victim.
An issue in this process is that residues are often difficult to identify. For decades, analysts have used chemical enhancement techniques to identify residues, which can destroy the pattern in the process. This means that if residues are not identified on the first try, there is no recourse. Additionally, the process also exposes analysts to toxic chemicals.
For the last three years, Michael has been working with Image Access, LLC, a German manufacturer of specialty flatbed scanners, to develop a forensic scanner which can nondestructively detect these residues. He has evaluated two prototypes so far and has found the process to work well. Currently he is working with Image Access, LLC to develop the enhancement and analysis software.
Although his teaching assignments are not officially finalized, he will be co-teaching a Trace Evidence and Impressions course with Assistant Teaching Professor of Forensic Science, Stewart Hung, and hopes to work with other faculty to develop additional courses. “In recent years, the program offered Firearms & Tool Marks as a special topics course,” says Michael. “I am working to develop that as a permanent course.”
Welcome to the department Michael! We are very glad to have you as a part of our team and look forward to seeing the positive impact you will have on our department!