Stewart Hung

Assistant Teaching Professor of Forensic Science
Image of Stewart Hung
Stewart
Hung
Assistant Teaching Professor of Forensic Science
Address
Phone
814-863-3387

About Me

Stewart Hung joined the Penn State Department of Forensic Science in Fall 2016 bringing a wealth of expertise from public, corporate, and academic sectors. He is a board certified Forensic Scientist (Diplomate) who has earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and two Masters degrees in Forensic Science and Chemistry. Stewart has extensive experience in trace elemental analysis using plasma methods such as a laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) as well as a decade of work experience as a bench scientist with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City.

He has lectured in Forensic Science, taught undergraduates in multiple scientific disciplines, and given presentations at institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History. For the Penn State academic community, he offers valuable expertise in sample preparation of microscopic particles, analytical method development, and investigations in contamination and foreign debris.

 

Education

  • M.S., Forensic Science, Science Department, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, New York City, NY, May 2000 (Thesis: FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Condom Lubricants)
     
  • M.Phil., Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, NY, September 2002
     
  • B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (with honours), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC  Canada, May 1994

 

Prior Employment

  • BCIT Forensic Science & Technology, Forensic Chemical Analysis, Instructor (FSCT 8220)          
                                                                                
  • Forensic Consultant on Paint/Polymer Analysis, Trace Elemental Analysis, Forensic Chemistry
     
  • Atomic Spectroscopy Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research Scientist II
     
  • Office of Forensic Sciences, New Jersey State Police, Department of Law and Public Safety, Forensic Scientist I
     
  • Office of Chief Medical Examiner, City of New York, New York City, Forensic Biology, Criminalist I and Forensic Consultant
     
  • Hunter College, CUNY, Adjunct Lecturer (Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry)
     
  • John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, Adjunct Lecturer (Criminalistics, Forensic Toxicology)

 

Professional and Academic Expertise

Stewart’s primary scope of Forensic Science knowledge covers Trace Evidence methods ranging from forensic paint and glass analysis, pattern impressions, polarized light microscopy, chemical testing, identification of unknown materials, and multiple instrumental methods. His understanding does not only include obtaining accurate analytical results, but also include selecting the proper methods, their limitations, and the interpretation of the results. In addition, as an ABC certified Forensic Scientist, he is aware of the tools that are available in other disciplines.

He has lectured in universities and institutions of higher learning. The subject areas include general chemistry, science for non-science majors, and specialized topics including forensic chemistry and trace metals analysis.

Stewart’s scope of knowledge covers a range of analytical instrumentation with a strong emphasis in the analysis of inorganic components using ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, and ICP-OES. His forensic scientific background developed a heightened ability to prioritize sample analysis based on destructive vs. non-destructive techniques and to choose the appropriate tools for optimal gathering of data. His pharmaceutical research and development applied these skills in the areas of residual elemental impurities testing in a GMP regulated environment, catalyst removal, and investigations for foreign materials as well as identification of potential drug counterfeits.

 

Licenses and Certifications

  • American Board of Criminalistics (ABC), Diplomate    November 1999 – present
     
  • Expert Examiner in Paint Analysis, Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County
     
  • New Jersey Office of Forensic Sciences, Certification in Paint Analysis
     
  • Notary Public Commission (State of New Jersey, Dept of the Treasury), Commission expires on September 25, 2016.

 

Professional Affiliations

  • Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS), member since 1998
     
  • New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists (NJAFS), member from 2003-2010
     
  • American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE), member since 2013

 

Professional Development

  • University of Wisconsin (School of Pharmacy) Land O'Lakes Conference – Analytical Formulations Interface, Devil's Head Resort, WI (June 11-15, 2012)
     
  • NEAFS Annual Meetings, Regional Forensic Science Conferences (2011, 2008, 2004)
     
  • CanBIC 3rd Georgian Bay International Conference on Bioinorganic Chemistry, Parry Sound, ON (May 31 – June 04, 2011)
     
  • BMSIARC - Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Symposium (June 15-16, 2010 and June 14-15, 2011)
     
  • PerkinElmer ICP-AES User Training – Theory and Practice, Shelton, CT (June 21-23, 2011)
     
  • 2009 NIJ Trace Evidence Symposium, Clearwater Beach, FL (August 03-07, 2009)
     
  • FBI Root Cause Analysis (Richard Lester, FBI), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (July 21-22, 2009)
     
  • NJAFS Spring Seminars, Atlantic City, NJ
    • Gang Related: Investigative Aspects of Gang Activity in New Jersey (May 01, 2009)
    • Skin & Bones: Medico-legal Aspects of Forensic Pathology, Odontology, and Anthropology (April 25, 2008)
    • Sexual Assault: From the Crime Scene to the Courtroom (April 27, 2007)
    • Exploring New Frontiers in Forensic Science (April 28, 2006)
    • Crime Scene Reconstruction (May 05, 2005)
    • Weapons of Mass Destruction (April 30, 2004)
       
  • Rubber Testing: Selecting, Performing, and Interpreting ASTM Rubber Test Methods (Pete Surette, consultant), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (April 22, 2009)
     
  • Introduction to Forensic Examinations of Pressure Sensitive Tape (Jenny Smith and William Randle), NJSP OFS , Hamilton, NJ (January 26-28, 2009)
     
  • Instrumental Trace Evidence Analysis – Workshop Series (NIJ Grant 2008-DN-BX-K071), Florida International University, Miami, FL (December 08-12, 2008)
     
  • NJSP Daubert Training Seminar, Part II (Gregory Klees, ATF), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (December 19, 2006)
     
  • Elemental Analysis of Forensic Evidence (Dr. Jose Almirall, FIU), Florida International University, Miami, FL (February 27 – March 03, 2006)
     
  • Forensic Paint Examinations and Comparisons and Paint Data Query (Scott Ryland, FDLE and Denis Lafleche, RCMP), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (September 12-20, 2006)
     
  • Gunpowder and Gunshot Residues Road School (John Webb, FBI), Quantico, VA (June 26 – July 01, 2005)
     
  • Forensic Analysis of Paints (Dr. Ed Bartick, FBI), FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA (November 15-19, 2004)
     
  • Laser Ablation Applications for ICP-MS, Dr. Angie Raith, Thermo Electron, NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (July 27-29, 2004)
     
  • Practical Gas Chromatography (Dr. Robert L Grob, Villanova and Dr. Eugene F Barry, U.Mass), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (June 22-23, 2004)
     
  • ICP-MS Theory and Practice (Dr. Robert Henry, Thermo Electron), NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (June 02-03, 2004)
     
  • Forensic Hair Analysis (Karen A. Lanning, FBI),  NJSP OFS, Hamilton, NJ (April 19-23, 2004)
     
  • Infrared Spectroscopy for Trace Analysis – FSR130 (Dr. Ed Bartick, FBI), FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA (March 22-26, 2004)
     
  • SEM/X-Ray Detection Systems, Princeton Gamma Tech (PGT), Princeton, NJ, 2000

 

Honors and Awards

  • Identifying the root cause of contamination in a marketed BMS product. R&D Star Award, May 2011.
     
  • Resolving the magnesium stearate manufacturing issues with FACI. R&D Star Award, March 2012.
     
  • Change Workflow for Foreign Material Investigations. R&D Star Award, October 2012.

 

Selected Publications

  • BCIT Forensic Science Field School 2016, California State University, Long Beach. Trace Chemical Evidence and Forensic Hair Analysis Laboratory (July 2016). Global News.
     
  • BCIT CSI Academy 2015 for high school seniors. Introduction to Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence Laboratory (July 2015). Burnaby Now.
     
  • 2012 R&D Symposium (BMS). Case Studies in Metals, Impurities, and Color Removal via Adsorption. Jun Qiu, Stewart Hung, Nate Kopp, Richard Schild, and Maxime Soumeillant.
     
  • 2011 R&D Symposium (BMS). Detection of Metals in EDTA for Abilify OS. Stewart Hung and Nancy Lewen. (Nov 2011).
     
  • New York Society for Applied Spectroscopy (NYSAS). Forensic Applications of Laser Ablation ICP-MS in Glass Analysis. Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ. (Sept 2011)
     
  • Blood Alcohol Analysis: Determination of Scientific Uncertainty. NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences, Toxicology Units. (December 2009)
     
  • Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS). A New Look at Some Old Techniques – Adapting Instrumental Methods for Trace Evidence Analysis. Somerset, NJ. (Nov 2007)
     
  • Forensic Analysis of Glass Evidence using Laser Ablation Inductively-Coupled Mass Spectrometry Third Annual Science Symposium at Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, March 19, 2005. (Originally presented at NEAFS, Criminalistics Section, Mystic, CT. October 2004.)
     
  • An Approach to the Semen Negative Rape Kit – The Detection of Condom Lubricants Using FT-IR Spectroscopy. Graduate Seminar Series, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, May 09, 2000. (Originally presented at the Forensic Biology Section, NEAFS, Hyannis, MA, October 14, 1999.)
     
  • Forensic Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technology – Transforming the Face of Fighting Crime. American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, NY, April 26, 2000.
     
  • p30 ELISA – Technique and Instrumentation. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), New York, NY, March 28, 2000.
     
  • An Approach to the Semen Negative Rape Kit – The Detection of Condom Lubricants Using FT-IR Spectroscopy. Forensic Biology Section, Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS), Hyannis, MA, October 14, 1999.
     
  • Sampling Location of Bloodstains and Its Correlation to DNA Concentration. Criminalistics Section, NEAFS, White Plains, NY, November 1998.
     
  • Antitumor Drug Fostriecin Inhibits the Mitotic Entry Checkpoint and Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A. M.Roberge, C.Tudan, S.Hung, K.Harder, F.Jirik, and H.Anderson. Cancer Research (54), 6115-6121, Dec 1994.