Submitted by kdm5319 on
The Eberly College of Science

Forensic Science Grad Student Research

Student looking to earn their MPS in Forensic Science are required to conduct research. Below you will see the names of research projects or research topics pursued by our grad students. They can develop their own project during their two-year program with us, or they can join work already in progress. 

Class of Project Name or Research Topic Student Name PI
2024 Analysis of Geometric Isomers of Fentanyl Derivatives by LC/MS/MS Erika Sitch Dr. Bill Campbell
2024 Current Challenges in MPS Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA in Human Hair Shafts Jade Korber Dr. Mitchell Holland
2024 Estimating the Postmortem Interval Using Flow Cytometry Mei Smyers  Dr. Jason Brooks
2024 Impact Behavior of 9mm Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet on Laminated Glass Zoe Timothy Mr. Mike Kusluski
2024 Mitogenome Sequencing of 10,000 Population Samples Using The PacBio Sequel IIe System Erin Brownfield Dr. Mitchell Holland
2024 Optimization of Cannabinoid Isomers Using LC-MS/ MS in Negative Ion Mode Olesia Headen Dr. Bill Campbell
2024 "Hang on a Minute": Analyzing Methodologies to Improve the Separation of Weakly Retained Polar Molecules Using LC/MS/MS Briana Alarcon Dr. Bill Campbell
2024 The Development of a Custom qPCR Multiplex to Quantify Human and Microbial DNA Miriam Foster Dr. Mitchell Holland
2023 Separation of Geometric Isomers (±)-11-nor-9-Carboxy-Δ9-THC and (±)-11-nor-9- Carboxy-Δ8-THC by LC-MS-MS Paola Roldan-Arroyo Dr. Bill Campbell
2023 An Evaluation of Resolution Requirements for Feature Identification and Comparison Photography in Forensic Photographic Scenarios Kerry McCann Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2023 Improved Quantitation for 15 Benzodiazepines using LC-MS/MS with a 1.5 mm Internal Diameter Column Taylor Maslin Dr. Bill Campbell
2022 Optimization of the Production of Exemplar Fabric Impressions on Vehicular Surfaces at Different Velocities Luke Hartmann Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2022 Gunshot Residue Pattern Processing Ashley Smith Mr. Mike Kusluski
2022 Crime Scene Investigation/trace evidence Samantha Castle  Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2022 Separation and derivatization of chiral stimulant drugs using liquid chromatography Natalie Kelly Dr. Bill Campbell
2022 Microorganisms, VOCs, and decomposition Veronica Cappas Dr. Reena Roy and Dr. Dan Sykes
2022 Drug separations in human meconium Shannon Palladino Dr. Bill Campbell
2022 Probabilistic approach to deconvoluting mitochondrial DNA mixtures; Recovering human DNA from the inside of a dog's mouth.  Alyssa Addesso Dr. Mitchell Holland and Dr. Jen McElhoe
2022 Seized Drugs Hariny Isoda Mr. Stewart Hung
2022 LCMS method development and analysis of seized drug samples focusing on fentanyl and fentanyl analogs Ryki Vance Dr. Bill Campbell
2022 DNA analysis from hair shafts. Included MPS analysis, DNA extraction techniques, and applying the methods to 'ancient' hairs Kate DeHeer Dr. Mitchell Holland
2021 Correlation of Hair Morphology, Age, and Length to Mitogenome Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) Results Lauren Canale Dr. Mitchell Holland
2021 The Scent of Death: Investigating Decompositional Volatile Organic Compounds and its Correlation with Insect Succession Abby Starck Dr. Dan Sykes
2021 Inhibition of DNA Amplification Caused by Metal in Extracted Bloodstains and in Direct Amplification Courtney Patterson Dr. Reena Roy
2021 The Detection and Evaluation of Gunshot Residue on Mammalian Furs to Estimate Shooting Distance Maia Nguyen Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2021 Novel Color Testing Scheme and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Synthetic Cathinones Nicholas Negri Dr. Dan Sykes
2021 STR Analysis of DNA on Metal Substrates  Anyssa Coverston Dr. Reena Roy
2021 The Impact of Storage Conditions and Time on DNA Yields from Ammunition Components Therese Mandracchia Dr. Mitchell Holland
2020 An Analytical Approach for the Detection of Gunshot Residue on Animal Hides to Estimate Shooting Distance Alyssa Smale Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2020 Effects of micro-CT Scanning when Assessing Bone Density and mtDNA Yield Grace Marino Dr. Mitchell Holland
2020 The Formation and Examination of Bloody Friction Ridge Patterns on Common Textile Materials using Different Enhancement Techniques Kaitlyn Chetney Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2020 Analysis of Smokeless Powders Claire Page Dr. Jack Hietpas
2020 The Determination of the Organic Components of Newer Generation e-Cigarette Liquids Bailey Davis Dr. Frank Dorman
2020 Benefits of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Ignitable Liquids  Haylea Debolt Dr. Frank Dorman
2020 An Evaluation of Sample Preparation Techniques for Cannabis and Cannabis Products Kelsey Cagle Dr. Frank Dorman
2020 Evaluating possible factors involved in the formation of Post-Mortem Root Banding (PMRB) Sofia Canlas Dr. Jack Hietpas
2019 Investigating the role of impact forces in the formation of three-dimensional fabric impressions in vehicle surfaces Abigail Bender Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2019 Comparison of Microbial and Elemental Profiles of Various Soil Samples for Forensic Application Samantha Jarvis Dr. Mitchell Holland
2019 Validation of the Rapid ResponseTM Fentanyl (FYL) Test Strip for the Detection of Fentanyl Class Opioids in Native and Mixture Form Sarah Stratton Dr. Frank Dorman
2019 Determination of Human Identity Using Mosquito Blood Meals Shayna Gray Dr. Reena Roy
2019 Characterization and Repair of Hydrolytically-Induced DNA Damage in the mtDNA Control Region via MPS Analysis Sidney Gaston-Sanchez Dr. Mitchell Holland
2019 Massively Parallel Sequencing and STR Analysis from Partial Bloody Fingerprints Enhanced with Columnar Thin Films Teresa Tiedge Dr. Reena Roy
2018 Assessing Automated Image Analysis and Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Signatures for Small Arms Propellant Differentiation and Potential Brand Identification Casey Brown Dr. Jack Hietpas
2018 Assessing the Viability to Detect Decomposition Gases Using Sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Jason Sanderson Dr. Jack Hietpas
2018 Investigating Fundamental Factors Affecting the Formation of in vitro PMRB-like Features in Antemortem Head Hair Katherine Ferrari Dr. Jack Hietpas
2018 Analysis of Peptide Metabolism Through in vitro Methods for Doping Detection of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides Kendra Prutton Dr. Frank Dorman
2018 Evaluation of the Investigator 24plex GO! Using Crime Scene Substrates Marcel Burton Dr. Reena Roy
2018 The Effect of Decomposition on Powder Stippling Patterns Meghan Dougher Dr. Jason Brooks
2018 Assessing Repair Mechanisms for Damaged Mitochondrial DNA Rachel Bonds Dr. Mitchell Holland
2018 Assessing the potential for secondary transfer of gunshot residue to bystanders through contact with surfaces that were near the discharge of a firearm Ryan Schonert Dr. Jack Hietpas
2018 Comparison of Drop and Contact Transfer Blood Deposits on Fabrics Swathi Murali Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2018 Analysis of Firework Residue for their Potential to Produce GSR-like Particles Xiao Shan Law Dr. Jack Hietpas
2017 Liquid Transport of Blood Through Fabric and Its Effect on Bloodstain Morphology Abigial Acio Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2017 Amitriptyline Bacterial Degradation on Pericardial Fluid Bruno Rodriguez-Rodriguez Dr. Reena Roy
2017 Shooting Distance Estimation using Gunshot Residue on Mammalian Pelts Cory Weiss Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2017 Massively Parallel Sequencing of Highly Fragmented Skeletal Material in Forensic Casework Elena Zavala Dr. Mitchell Holland
2017 Assessing Heteroplasmic Variant Drift in the mtDNA Control Region of Human Hairs using an MPS Approach Jamie Gallimore Dr. Mitchell Holland
2017 Investigation of Factors Affecting the Formation of Three-Dimensional Fabric Imprint Patterns in Automotive Surfaces Rachel Downey Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2017 Development of Unified GC-MS/FID Method to Determine Various Classes of Synthetic Drugs Using Retention-Indices Sarah Howshall Dr. Frank Dorman
2017 An Examination of Hypergolic Mixtures Involving Potassium Permanganate and Select Fuels Stephanie Harrold Mr. Wayne Moorehead
2016 Analysis and Comparison of Fatty Acid Compositions in Latent and Smudged Fingermarks via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) Caitlin Cobern Dr. Frank Dorman
2016 Natural Degradation of Smokeless Powder Over a Fifteen Year Period Corey Kroptavich Mr. Wayne Moorehead
2016 Maggots and Murder: Detection of Human DNA in Fly Larvae Katelyn Gigl Dr. Reena Roy
2016 Evaluation of the RapidHIT System for the Analysis of Mixed Biological Samples that Mimic those Potentially Recovered from Victims of Human Trafficking Laura Wilson Dr. Mitchell Holland
2016 Considering the Impact of DNA Damage on the Interpretation of Low-Level mtDNA Heteroplasmy Molly Rathbun Dr. Mitchell Holland
2015 Generating DNA Profiles from Crime Scene Samples Commonly Encountered in The United Arab Emirates Using the RapidHIT™ System Aamer Alshehhi Dr. Reena Roy
2015 Direct Y-STR Amplification of Body Fluids Deposited on Commonly Found Crime Scene Substrates Amanda Dargay Dr. Reena Roy
2015 Evaluation of Forensically Informative SNP Multiplexes Using Next Generation Sequencing Ashley Silvia Dr. Jenifer Smith
2015 Analytical Method Development for Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Piperazine Designed Drugs Kathleen Luo Dr. Frank Dorman
2015 Evaluation of Gas Chromatography Parameters for Improved Analysis of Explosives by Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector Lindsay Mitchell Dr. Frank Dorman
2015 Obtaining DNA Profiles from Chemically Preserved Tissue Samples Maryam Alqaydi Dr. Reena Roy
2015 Determination of Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater Utilizing Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas-Chromatography Coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Sarah Prebihalo Dr. Frank Dorman
2015 White-Light vs. Short-Wavelength Ultraviolet Illumination o Fingerprints Developed with Columnar Thin Films of Alq3 Stephanie Plazibat Dr. Reena Roy
2015 A Comparison of Traditional and Novel Fingerprint Enhancements, and Subsequent DNA Degradation Zachary Goecker Dr. Reena Roy
2014 Direct Amplification Using Various Swabs and Washing Reagents Washing Reagents Dr. Reena Roy
2014 Investigating the Molecules of Death Rachel Bower Dr. Dan Sykes
2014 Environmental Forensics of Wastewater Samples for Determination of Emerging Contaminants Adrienne Brockman Dr. Frank Dorman
2014 Analysis of Cytostatic and Cytotoxic Agents in Wastewater, Surface Water, and Drinking Water Jordan Stubleski Dr. Frank Dorman
2013 The Analysis of Antidepressants in Aqueous Samples using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry—Stationary Phase Optimization and Mass Spectrometric Complications Kenton Chodara Dr. Dan Sykes
2013 Assessing the Ancestral Origin of Ancient Human Remains from Croatian Burial Sites using Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Ayano Fox Dr. Mitchell Holland
2013 An Evaluation of Direct PCR Amplification Daniel Hall Dr. Reena Roy
2013 Comparison of Techniques to Assess the “Impact Angle” or a Blood Droplet Stain Clare Hubbard Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2013 Detection of Insertion/Deletion Polymorphisms from Challenged Samples Rebecca Klein Dr. Reena Roy
2013 The Analytical Investigation of Synthetic Street Drugs Amanda Leffler Dr. Frank Dorman
2013 QA/QC of Herbal Incense Samples by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS Sharyn Miller Dr. Dan Sykes
2013 Environmental Forensic Investigation for Identifying Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Stream Melinda Pham Dr. Frank Dorman
2013 Reporting Logic for mtDNA Heteroplasmy when Using a Next Generation Sequencing Approach Liam Phillips Dr. Mitchell Holland
2013 Progress in the Visualization of Latent Fingerprints on Nonporous Substrates using Columnar Thin Films Stephanie Williams Dr. Robert Shaler and Dr. Akhlesh Lakhtakia
2012 Assessment of the Methods Used to Approximate the Trajectory of a Bullet Carly Conrad Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2012 An Assessment of the Inaccuracy of the Model Used to Approximate to Trajectory of a Blood Drop Kathryn Kinzler Mr. Ralph Ristenbatt
2012 Examining Mitochondrial DNA in Human Hair Shafts using 454 Life Sciences Next Generation Sequencing Kerry McGinley Dr. Mitchell Holland
2012 New Kit on the Block: Validation of DIPplex® Kit from Qiagen Kaylie McGuire Dr. Reena Roy
2012 Columnar Thin Film Development of Latent Fingerprints on Forensically Relevant Substrates Sarah Muhlberger Dr. Robert Shaler and Dr. Akhlesh Lakhtakia
2012 Examining Effects of PCR Conditions on mtDNA Heteroplasmy using Next Generation Sequencing Lauren Rothwell Dr. Mitchell Holland