Meet the Pros
You Have Questions About Criminal Justice, We Have Professional Advice
At All Criminal Justice Schools, we care about your educational journey. We want you to have the information you’re looking for—and information you didn’t even know you needed—as you explore the many paths you can take to achieve your career goals. That’s why we consult professors, association leaders, and our team of experienced editors and writers when we’re creating our library of resources, all crafted with you in mind. We’re here help simplify the complicated process of planning to go back to school and to help point you in the right direction.
Jump to: Criminal Justice Professionals | Authors
Criminal Justice Professionals
David Weisselberger
Erase The Case
David Weisselberger is the founding partner and expungement lawyer of Erase The Case, a law firm dedicated to helping individuals overcome their criminal pasts. As a highly trained lawyer with a proven track record, Mr. Weisselberger has served as a former Assistant Public Defender for Miami-Dade County, worked as a solo practitioner and was an associate at the esteemed Saban & Solomon Law Firm. He understands the profound impact that a public criminal record can have, including job losses, school suspensions and difficulties in securing funding.
Understanding the impact of a public criminal history on personal and professional life, he founded Erase The Case. This organization offers a comprehensive solution for criminal record expungement, guiding individuals through the complex legal process.
Lance LoRusso
LoRusso Law Firm
Lance LoRusso is the Principal of the LoRusso Law Firm, founder of the Blue Line Lawyer Institute—a think tank for law enforcement and their lawyers—to foster proactive thinking about use of force in law enforcement, author of When Cops Kill and Blue News, 2021 FOP Attorney of the Year and a former law enforcement officer.
He has appeared on CNN, CBS, ABC,FOX News, BBC, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and many other outlets for his legal and law enforcement expertise.
He serves as an instructor for those pursuing careers in law enforcement.
Dr. Heidi S. Bonner, Department Chair and Professor
Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, East Carolina University
Dr. Heidi S. Bonner is Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Carolina University. She holds a PhD in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany, SUNY, and her research focuses on law enforcement policy and practice, police accountability systems, criminal justice worker stress and wellness, and recruitment and retention. She also holds a role as a member of the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, research fellow at the John F. Institute for Public Safety and an Interdisciplinary Research Leader at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She teaches courses on law enforcement, administration, research methods and gender-based violence, bringing depth and practical insight to issues shaping contemporary criminal justice systems.
Bridget Lowrie, Criminal Defense Attorney, Professor
Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Department, Montgomery College
Bridget (Wyant) Lowrie began teaching as an adjunct at Chesapeake College in 2013 after nearly ten years practicing law. She taught Constitutional Development at Salisbury University and now teaches Criminal Justice at Montgomery College.
She received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science from American University in 1999. After working in the Government Affairs Office for Honda North America she went on to attend the University of Maryland School of Law. As a law student she was an associate editor of the Maryland Law Review and a Rosa Zetzer Fellow. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 2004.
Bridge was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2004, was an active member of the board of directors for Mid Shore Pro Bono and served as the president of the Dorchester County Bar Association.
Captain Ryan McClain, Commander
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Unit
Captain Ryan McClain has served in law enforcement since 2011 and has been a member of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Unit (Indiana) since 2017. Before becoming the team’s Commander, he served as a Team Leader and helped shape the unit’s tactical training and operational readiness. He currently serves on the Board of the Indiana SWAT Officers Association and leads the Emergency Response Unit with the team motto, “So if we need to, we can,” emphasizing mental, physical, and tactical preparedness. In addition to his tactical responsibilities, Captain McClain serves as the Captain of the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center, overseeing critical operations and leadership development for staff.
Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director
United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Mike is a former full-time law enforcement officer and team leader/point man for an active, multi-agency SWAT Team. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in administration of justice as well numerous instructor certifications and credentials in law enforcement training.
Mike has been training nationally for organizations since 1999, and his courses are innovative and reality based. He developed the Instinctive Hand-to-Hand Combat Fighting/Training System, which is a life changing officer survival training course. His Active Shooter Response/Tactical Entry Course has been coveted by agencies across the country for its innovative tactics and training concepts. He is a guest instructor/speaker and institutional provider at numerous training academies across the country, as well as presenting at many martial arts/fight gyms. He is featured in the Instinctive Hand-to-Hand Combat DVD and has written numerous published training articles, as well as being a contributor on the American Heroes Network’s “American Lawman” series, and national media contributions.
He is co-owner of a combatives and training center in the Midwest. Mike trains private security entities including clients from Fortune 500 companies. He still considers himself a student and is continually searching to improve himself and others.
Robert McDonald
Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of New Haven
Robert “Bobby” McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven, as well a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.
He has experience as both a State of Connecticut and United States Probation Officer and spent over 20 years with the United States Secret Service. Throughout his career, he completed assignments at the New Haven Resident Office in Connecticut, as well as the Presidential, Vice Presidential and Dignitary Protection Divisions in Washington, DC. He coordinated security for numerous foreign and domestic dignitary visits, as well as several National Special Security Events, including the 2011 APEC Summit in Honolulu and the 2012 G8 Summit at Camp David in Thurmont, Md. McDonald also spent time in charge of all asset and personnel allocations for the agency in the Office of Protective Operations and was the operations supervisor at the U.S. Secret Service academy located in Beltsville, Md. He is considered an expert in executive protection, intelligence and event planning operations, as well as a leading authority of protective travel logistics and training.
He retired in September 2015 as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Vice-Presidential Division. In this position, McDonald was responsible for all protective operations and training provided to the 180 special agents assigned to then Vice President Joseph Biden and his family.
Upon retirement from the U.S. Secret Service, he joined the security department of the National Basketball Association in New York as Senior Director of Global Events Security. During his five and a half years at the NBA, McDonald coordinated numerous domestic and foreign events such as the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro and several global games in Shanghai, London, Mexico City and Tokyo. He was the coordinator of the NBA’s security platform at the 2020 NBA All Star Weekend in Chicago and oversaw the security platform for two “bubbles” put on by the NBA for the recent completion of the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 basketball seasons.
From 1978-1995, McDonald was an on-ice hockey official, working high school, collegiate (ECAC) and professional (AHL) games in the northeast.
Kenya Brumfield-Young, MLS, MSCJ
Associate Professor Criminology and Criminal Justice, St. Louis University
Kenya Brumfield-Young is an Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University. She teaches and researches in areas including wrongful conviction, sentencing and juvenile justice. As the creator of the Wrongful Conviction Review Internship course, she helps students engage directly with real case materials and develop ethical, evidence-based approaches to criminal justice. Her expertise spans youth behavior, courtroom decision-making and the intersection of education and applied justice practice.
Dr. Rod Hoevet
Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychology, Maryville University
Dr. Rod Hoevet is a clinical and forensic psychologist who also serves as an assistant professor of forensic psychology at Maryville University. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in many settings and with a wide variety of populations, including inpatient, outpatient, residential, correctional and forensic. He has been a clinician and administrator, as well as a consultant and supervisor. He has written, taught and presented on various subjects related to mental illness and has been interviewed and cited in articles, blogs and podcasts. Dr. Hoevet has a private practice focusing largely on forensic psychological evaluations and has conducted hundreds of evaluations both in criminal and civil matters. He has testified about his findings in criminal, family and juvenile court and has been called as a subject matter expert.
Kevin Angelo Brown, Criminology Professor
Arkansas State University
Kevin Angelo Brown is a criminologist, professor at Arkansas State University and has a PhD in criminology and criminal justice. He has experience teaching about and researching drugs laws, law enforcement, policing, courts, mass shootings, jails, race, gender, sexuality, cryptocurrency, schools, United Nations, international and comparative of the Middle East, mental health, AI and restorative justice.
Heather Garvin, PhD, D-ABFA, Board Certified Forensic Anthropologist
Professor of Anatomy, Des Moines University
Heather Garvin, PhD, D-ABFA, is a Professor of Anatomy and Board-Certified Forensic Anthropologist at Des Moines University. Besides teaching gross anatomy to medical students, Dr. Garvin conducts forensic anthropology casework for the State of Iowa and several other agencies. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 2020 and served as Vice President from 2023-2025. She has also served on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Forensic Sciences since 2015 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. She has over 50 publications and has received multiple federal grants to research various aspects of forensic anthropology.
Scott Swick, Texas Ranger, Texas Department of Public Safety
President, International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts
Scott Swick is a Texas Ranger with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He is currently assigned to Company “C” in Amarillo, Texas and fully involved in major criminal investigations and crime scene investigation, to include bloodstain pattern analysis, shooting incident reconstruction, crime scene reconstruction and forensic mapping. He has a Master Peace Officer License with over 21 years of law enforcement experience.
Scott is a certified instructor and currently instructs in the Texas Ranger Division Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course. He is a member of the Texas Rangers Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Working Group, the Texas Rangers Officer Involved Shooting Working Group, The Texas Rangers State Major Crime Scene Team and serves as the Team Leader for the Texas Rangers Company “C” Crime Scene Team. He is also a 2018 graduate of the University of Tennessee National Forensics Academy and is a Certified Crime Scene Analyst (CCSA) and Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst (CBPA) through the International Association of Identification.
Scott has previously served as IABPA Vice President, Region 3 (Central). In addition to the IABPA, Scott is a member of the International Association of Identification and the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction.
Officer Brayden Sherman
Orono Police Department
Officer Brayden Sherman is a K9 handler with the Orono Police Department in Minnesota, where he built the department’s K9 program from scratch. Sherman lives and works with his two-year-old police K9, a German Shepherd named Onyx.
Photo credit: Orono Police Department
Nicholas Bradford, MEd, Founder
National Center for Restorative Justice
Nicholas Bradford is a lifelong educator with extensive experience in challenging students inside and outside the classroom. Bradford started his restorative justice education in Vermont in 2009, working in therapeutic settings, schools, after-school programs and justice settings that have shaped a skill set that delivers a comprehensive restorative justice framework.
Having worked with hundreds of schools and districts, he has built a robust program that gives schools, educators and students the skills and structures they need to create a culture of belonging and success in spite of conflict.
Nicholas received his Master in Education Policy from the University of Washington in 2012. He founded the National Center for Restorative Justice in 2016 and published “A Real-World Guide to Restorative Justice in Schools” in 2021.
In addition, Nicholas retired from the US Coast Guard in 2023 after 24 years of honorable service.
James Ebert, MJA
Professor in Criminal Justice, Purdue University Global
James Ebert began his full-time career with Purdue University Global as a professor in 2022. His professional experience includes 20 years of law enforcement, with the last five years serving as Chief of Police in Richmond, Kentucky. Simultaneously, James had a second career in the military reserves. His 20-year military career included service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and United States Navy, where he served in the capacity of both Enlisted and as a Commanding Officer.
Dr. Kristi Pitts, DM, ACUE, CSI, RYT
University Faculty, Department of Criminal Justice, Purdue Global
As an industry-leading criminal justice expert, Dr. Kristi Pitts has honed skills and refined knowledge across criminal justice, forensic science, and higher education. She consistently creates an environment where students can think critically and communicate viable solutions. Dr. Pitts aims to instruct beyond the curriculum, providing real-world examples from over 21 years of hands-on experience in corrections, the court system, and crime scene management. Continuing education is a crucial aspect of her professional career; as a scholar, she has researched vital strategies to promote inclusion and leadership development through a criminal justice lens focused on coaching, goal setting, and reflection. As a full-time professor, Dr. Kristi Pitts has a proven history in scientific and technical writing, program development, online learning techniques, curriculum development and educational planning.
Luke Taylor
Detective, Youth Crime, Violent Crime, Child Protection; Educator and Crime Story workshop leader
Biography to come.
Joshua Lee
Professor, Grand Canyon University
Joshua Lee is an active-duty police sergeant for a large municipal police department in Arizona. Before being promoted, Joshua served five years as a patrol officer and six years as a detective with the Organized Crime Section investigating civil asset forfeiture, white-collar financial crime and cryptocurrency crimes. He is currently supervising Complex Financials Investigations and Asset Forfeiture Group and is heavily involved in training police officers around the world in the use of advanced technology for policing. In addition, he also serves as an artificial intelligence for government applications advisor and researcher.
Christina Lindquist
Quality and Efficiency Manager, Forensic Analyst
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory–UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Christina Lindquist is the senior forensic analyst and Quality Manager at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, which is part of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She obtained her Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. She was instrumental in the laboratory obtaining accreditation, and now the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is the only laboratory in the US accredited to complete forensic DNA profiling on domesticated animal species. The VGL also developed the first published DNA profiling system for dogs that meets the same standards as the DNA profiling system for humans. VGL-Forensics works with investigators from around the world in both criminal and civil cases, providing DNA profiling services of numerous non-human species including dogs, cats, cattle and horses.
Tarah Helsel
Forensic Scientist and Manager, Forensic Science Department at RJ Lee Group
Tarah Helsel is a forensic scientist and the manager of RJ Lee Group’s Forensic Science department, where she specializes in gunshot residue (GSR) analysis. She oversees and participates in the preparation, analysis, interpretation and reporting of GSR evidence using Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) techniques.
Ms. Helsel is an experienced expert witness and has given testimony relating to gunshot residue on more than one-hundred occasions. She has testified in federal and state courts, and has experience testifying for both the prosecution and the defense. She has been qualified as a gunshot residue expert in courts in 23 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the countries of Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands. In 2023, she led the department to successful American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) accreditation in the areas of GSR analysis and muzzle-to-target distance determination.
Ms. Helsel is a graduate of Waynesburg University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science with minors in biology and chemistry. She is a chair and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS), as well as a member of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE) and the Ignitable Liquids, Explosive and Gunshot Residue Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC).
Tino Kyprianou, CCE, CFE
CEO, International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE)
Tino Kyprianou is the founder and CEO of Axiana. Tino is an entrepreneur with deep expertise in digital forensic investigations, eDiscovery, Cybersecurity and fraud examinations. With over 20 years in the field, Tino worked on thousands of cases, both civil and criminal, and offered expert testimony in courts and depositions. Throughout his career, Tino routinely assists corporate clients and attorneys throughout the United States in digital forensic matters, electronic discovery, data breaches, incident response and cybersecurity services.
Certifications:
- Master of Science Degree (University of South Wales)
- Certificate in Computer Forensics (Cybercrime Institute)
- Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Memberships:
- International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Information Systems Security Association
Larry S. Miller, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University; Chair of the Education Committee of the National Association of Document Examiners (NADE)
Dr. Larry S. Miller is Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University. He received his Bachelor of Science from ETSU in 1974, a Master of Science from Eastern Kentucky University in 1977, and his PhD in Health & Safety with collaterals in Forensic Anthropology and Criminology from The University of Tennessee in 1981.
Dr. Miller has been with the department since 1984 and normally teaches courses in the area of Law Enforcement. He has worked as a police officer, criminal investigator and crime laboratory director.
Dr. Miller’s primary research interests are in Police Studies and Forensic Science, and he serves as a member of the board of the National Forensic Academy.
He has authored or co-authored seven textbooks and numerous articles in criminal justice publications.
Ruth E. Holmes, CDE
Professional handwriting and document examiner
Ruth E. Holmes, CDE is a professional handwriting and document examiner whose forensic and personnel consulting firm, Pentec, Inc., advises individual, legal and corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Pentec, Inc. works frequently for human resource divisions, financial institutions, police departments and manufacturers. Ruth, along with Sarah E. Holmes, have worked as jury consultants with some of the leading attorneys in the country.
Ruth is court qualified as an expert witness in federal, state, and local courts. She lived eleven years in Brussels, Belgium, and Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, West Africa, and has appeared on CBS News, Discovery, CNBC, BBC, Canada AM, Court TV and Dateline/NBC. She is the former President of the International Women’s Forum–Michigan and serves on the Board of Directors of Women Officials Network, who named her a 2014 Wonder Woman. Ruth has been named one of Michigan’s Top 10 Women Business Owners, and in 2010, Innovator of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. In March 2002, Corp! magazine listed her among “Michigan’s 95 Most Powerful Women.”
Michele Triplett, Forensic Operation Manager/Quality Manager
King County, Washington
Michele Triplett is the Forensic Operation Manager and Quality Manager for King County, WA. She is a Certified Latent Print Examiner and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistical Analysis. She has been employed in the friction ridge identification discipline since 1991 and is actively involved with several organizations, committees and educational events. She currently serves as the Director of the International Association for Identification’s Forensic Certification Programs and as the secretary for the Academy Standards Board’s Friction Ridge Consensus Body. Ms. Triplett teaches classes on scientific principles, has developed a method for measuring the complexity of pattern evidence comparisons and has authored the “Fingerprint Dictionary.”
David L. Carter, PhD
Professor, School of Criminal Justice and Director of the Intelligence Program, Michigan State University
David L. Carter is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Director of the Intelligence Program at Michigan State University. His expertise is in the areas of policing issues, violent crime control, law enforcement intelligence and counterterrorism. A former Kansas City, Missouri police officer, Dr. Carter was Chairman of the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas for 9 years prior to his appointment at Michigan State in 1985. He has served as a trainer, consultant, and advisor to many law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia on various law enforcement issues.
Dr. Carter is an Instructor in the Bureau of Justice Assistance SLATT program, author of the COPS-funded publication, Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local and Tribal Law Enforcement. He is the author or co-author of five books and numerous articles and monographs on policing issues and is a member of the Editorial Boards of various professional publications. Dr. Carter is also a member of the Justice Department’s Global Intelligence Working Group Training Committee and Privacy Committee.
Dr. Jared L. Ross, DO, NRP, TCCC, FACEP, FAAEM
Assistant professor, University of Missouri; Assistant Director, Emergency Department at Bothwell Regional Hospital; EMS Medical Director
Jared L. Ross is a board-certified Emergency Physician with over 24 years of experience as an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, SWAT team member, and EMS educator. Dr. Ross is the Founder and President of EMSEC, LLC, which provides medical education and consulting services. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, Assistant Director of the Emergency Department at Bothwell Regional Hospital, and the EMS medical director for several agencies and educational programs. He has presented at over 90 national and international conferences. His research interests include limited-resource medicine, emergency pharmacology and medical technology.
Peter Ticktin
Senior Partner and Founder of Ticktin Law Group
Peter Ticktin is the founder of The Ticktin Law Group based in Deerfield Beach, Florida. After graduating from New York Military Academy, Mr. Ticktin received his first law degree from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, and began practicing law in Canada as a barrister in 1972. He graduated cum laude from the University of Miami Law School and was elected into the Order of the Coif, among numerous honors. Mr. Ticktin’s practice is eclectic and covers a broad band of legal work, from divorce to business litigation. He loves being before juries. He generally thinks outside of the proverbial box with creative approaches to achieve the most pragmatically sensible results where possible, and a good fight where not.
Ignacio J. Esteban
Retired ATF Special Agent and Author
Ignacio J. Esteban is a retired member of law enforcement with 26 years of experience. Most recently, he served as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In this role he tackled a diverse range of federal investigations, infiltrating violent street gangs and international firearms trafficking rings. Before that, he served with the United States Customs Service at Miami International Airport, where he was a key member of the elite Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) and played a crucial role in seizing significant quantities of cocaine and heroin smuggled into the United States from Latin America. He currently resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and two daughters. Through his writing, he intends to leverage his experience to explore and illuminate the events and circumstances shaping our world.
Jake O’Neil
FAA Air Traffic Controller; Founder, Magical memories Worldwide
Jake O’Neil is the founder of Magical Memories Worldwide, a travel agency specializing in Disney vacations. He brings a unique blend of industry expertise and personal passion to the world of travel planning. His career began in the aviation industry, first working as an airline baggage handler then as an air traffic controller for almost 15 years, gaining a comprehensive unique knowledge base of the travel industry from the inside. Today, he combines his extensive experience and love for Disney into creating unforgettable vacation experiences for his clients.
Pat Kinsel, CEO
Notarize
Pat is the Founder and CEO of Notarize, the pioneer in online notarization. Pat was previously a partner at Polaris Partners. Before joining Polaris and founding Notarize, Pat was a co-founder & CEO of Spindle until it was acquired by Twitter in June 2013. Prior to Spindle, Pat was at Microsoft incubating new concepts and bringing them to market. Pat serves on the board of Lob and was the lead investor in Drizly. Based in Boston, Pat serves as a mentor at the Harvard Innovation Lab.
Major Patricia Brown
Director, Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Central Piedmont Community College
Patricia Brown served 25 years in the United States Army and ended her tour of duty at the rank of Major in 2007. She also served as a Field Training Officer and Detention Sergeant with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff Office. In 2004, she became employed with Central Piedmont Community College where she served as the Commandant for the Public Safety Academy for high school students and later served as a Criminal Justice Instructor and Program Chair for the Criminal Justice Technology Associate Degree Program. Since 2009, she has served as a Senior Program Developer for Law Enforcement Training and North Carolina State School Director for BLET, Telecommunicator, General Instructor Training and Radar Certification. She is also an honorary member of the International Association Chiefs of Police and a member of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association.
Darren Popkin, Executive Director
Maryland Chiefs of Police Association
Darren M. Popkin is the Executive Director for the Maryland Chiefs and Maryland Sheriffs’ Associations. Prior to leading the MSA/MCPA, Darren Popkin was elected as Montgomery County’s 61st Sheriff on November 2, 2010; and was re-elected on November 4, 2014, and November 6, 2018. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, established in 1777, has 160 sworn law enforcement officers and 36 civilians providing a wide range of judicial, law enforcement and domestic violence intervention services for over one million Montgomery County residents.
Executive Director Popkin, while Sheriff, was a member of the strategic planning committee responsible for designing and implementing the interagency Montgomery County Family Justice Center (MCFJC) which opened in May 2009 and has since aided thousands of clients.
As co-chair of the joint legislative committee of the Maryland Chief of Police and Maryland Sheriffs’ Associations, Executive Director Popkin has direct involvement with the Maryland General Assembly in presenting the views of law enforcement on all major public safety legislation.
Executive Director Popkin received his BA degree in law enforcement from the University of Maryland, College Park and has extensive involvement in law enforcement policy making and professional organizations.
Jason Fries, CEO
3D Forensic, Inc.
Jason is a forensic expert witness with over 25 years of experience and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of 3D Forensic, Inc. His forensic specialties include forensic animation, nighttime visibility, shooting reconstruction (primarily officer-involved shooting reconstruction), video analysis, field-of-view analysis, medical animation and laser scanning. He has worked on high-profile shooting and vehicular accident cases across the nation. He has also revolutionized the standard for modern OIS and nighttime visibility analysis through his work. Over the last 20 years Jason has created some of the most advanced tools in forensic analysis such as laser-based photogrammetry, laser accurate line-of-sight and the most advanced video analysis in the courtroom today. Jason has written countless articles and lectured to diverse groups including members of the FBI and Supreme Court justices.
Paul Petty
In-Service Manager of Training, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board
Paul Petty serves as the In-Service Manager of Training for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board. Paul is a 28-year veteran of the law enforcement profession which began after his 4 ½ year service in the United States Navy. He served as a Special Agent for the West Central Illinois Drug Task Force and Deputy Sheriff for three years prior to being elected Sheriff in 1998. Paul served as Pike County Sheriff & Coroner for twenty years before retiring in 2018. While Sheriff, Paul also served as Ambulance Director and was a member of several boards in the law enforcement community during his professional career. Paul continued his education during his career and received his master’s in legal studies from the University of Illinois – Springfield. Following his retirement, Paul served as a certified School Resource Officer & A.L.I.C.E. instructor for Pikeland Unit Ten in Pittsfield and taught Intro to Policing, Ethics, and The Militarization of Police at Illinois College in Jacksonville. Paul also served as a Physical Education Teacher and Head Football Coach for three years. Paul returned to the law enforcement arena in April of 2021 as a Special Agent with the Illinois Gaming Board before becoming ILETSB’s In-Service Manager of Training in December of 2021.
Trooper Tyree Cooper
New Jersey State Police
Trooper II Tyree Cooper has been employed by the New Jersey State Police for over nine years. He has been in the Recruiting & Outreach Bureau for the past two years. Trooper Cooper has a master’s degree in criminal justice specializing in community policing.
Julia Kochanowski, BS in Biology Forensic Science with a minor in Criminal Justice
Graduate student, University of North Dakota
Julia Kochanowski is currently a graduate student at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She graduated in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Forensic Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. In the fall of 2019, she started working as a forensic autopsy technician for UND Forensic Pathology and started doing research in the Pathology lab. Once she finishes her graduate program she will be applying for MD/PhD programs. She aims to be a forensic pathologist and neuropathologist, while getting her PhD in neuroscience. Her main research area of interest is in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Derek Henry
Paralegal, Houston, Texas
Derek Henry is a practicing paralegal based in Houston, Texas. Derek earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in pre-law and paralegal studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Currently, Derek is pursuing law school while practicing paralegal work.
Peter Smart
Legal Assistant, John K. Zaid & Associates
Peter Smart is currently a legal assistant for the John K. Zaid & Associates law firm based in Houston, Texas. Peter is also a Juris Doctorate Candidate at the University of Houston Law Center.
Cindy Crosby
Private investigator
Cindy Crosby is an investigator and representative of Crosby Investigations based in Texas. As a full service in Dallas, TX private investigation firm Crosby Investigations diligently serves individuals, businesses and legal firms worldwide. The owner and chief investigator of Crosby Investigations, Jack Crosby, is a former FBI agent with vast experience and worldwide connections.
Ty Larkin
Private investigator and founder of APEX Surveillance and Investigations
Ty “the Spy” Larkin is an experienced licensed private investigator who formed APEX Surveillance and Investigations, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, following her service in the U.S. Military. APEX Surveillance and Investigations are members in good standing of the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI), the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI), United States Association of Professional Investigators (USAPI) and the National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS). Ty is a dedicated investigator who, with the help of her staff, will always ensure that they exceed their client’s expectations.
Mark Ososke
Oregon-based private investigator and Regional Coordinator for the Oregon Association of Licensed Investigators
Mark Ososke is a licensed investigator and owner/partner of PI Services LLC based in Beaverton, OR. Mark has been conducting private investigations and process serving in Oregon since 1988. Ten years later, in 1998, the State of Oregon began licensing and regulating Private Investigators and his team then started PI Services. Each member of Mark’s staff has a minimum of 10 years’ experience. On a personal note, Mark was raised in Portland Oregon. Mark enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as mountain biking, skiing, camping, playing basketball, golfing, watching Trail Blazer & Seahawk games and volunteering with NW Trail Alliance.
John Morse
CMECI, CA, Private Investigator
John Morse is the owner of Morse Investigations Services based in Henrico County, Virginia. Mr. Morse is also the former executive director of the Private Investigators Association of Virginia. Additionally, Mr. Morse is a certified missing & exploited child investigator for the state, with extensive experience in many different specialties within the independent investigation field. Morse Investigations Services has proudly been voted Virginia’s Best Investigator 6 years in a row (as of 2021) with a variety of offered services from domestic investigation services to basic surveillance services.
Gabriel V. Evelyn, Paralegal at Prather Ebner Wilson LLP in Chicago, IL
Founding member, Director-at-Large and Pro Bono Coordinator for the Chicago Paralegal Association
Website | Prather Ebner Wilson LLP
Gabriel V. Evelyn is a Paralegal, Founding Member, Director-At-Large, and the Pro Bono Coordinator of the Chicago Paralegal Association (CPA). Gabriel often tells everyone the CPA’s unofficial motto: “No hateration: only community, celebration, & elevation!” After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2012, he transitioned from freelance reporting, hospitality, and the pharmacy fields into law as a floating legal assistant in 2018. He worked in various legal practice areas while completing his post-education in Paralegal Studies from an ABA-approved paralegal program at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. After obtaining his Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies in December 2019, he co-founded the CPA in April 2020. In August 2020, he landed his first Paralegal position at his current law firm, Prather Ebner Wilson LLP: a boutique law firm that focuses on probate litigation, estate planning, estate administration, business planning, and pre-/post-marital agreements. Outside of the legal field, Gabriel is the Founder of Umami Memories: Savoring, Story, Song, & Soul, a social media presence and registered ASCAP publisher, where he explores the connections between food, music, songwriting, performing, family, and the written word.
Gabriel loves connecting with any and all who are interested in Paralegals, the Chicagoland legal community, and music/performance. He encourages everyone to discover more about his law firm, Prather Ebner Wilson LLP; his organization, the Chicago Paralegal Association; and his social media presence, Umami Memories.
Samantha Burns, Paralegal
President, Los Angeles Paralegal Association
Samantha Burns is a Deaf paralegal who wears a cochlear implant to navigate the legal world between the Deaf and Hearing people. She is a Paralegal Manager at a Plaintiff’s Personal Injury law firm, Marjiya Law PC. Samantha obtained her A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies in 2019 from Mt. San Antonio College and has been furthering her education to obtain a B.S. degree in Legal Studies. She is also the President of Los Angeles Paralegal Association of 2021. She is a fierce advocate for Deaf legal professionals and for new paralegals who are just entering the field.
Amber Haney, Senior Paralegal, The Haney Group
Past President and Pro Bono Chair and Mentor/Internship Co-Chair of the Capital Area Paralegal Association; Board member of the Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas
Amber Haney has been the Senior Paralegal at The Haney Law Firm for 20 years. She works alongside her sister, Caitlin Haney Johnston, the managing attorney for the firm. The firm specializes in estate planning, probate, and probate litigation.
Amber obtained an Associate of Applied Arts and Science in Paralegal Studies from Austin Community College and graduated from Texas State University summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences.
Amber is the Immediate Past President of the Capital Area Paralegal Association, where she also serves as Pro Bono Chair and Mentor/Internship Co-Chair. She recruits and organizes paralegal volunteers for pro bono legal clinics throughout the Central Texas area. She connects new paralegals with mentors and helps paralegal students find internships.
In 2021 Amber won the Merianne Gaston Award for Excellence in Legal Support, an award given annually by the Texas Bar College. In 2021 CAPA awarded her the Paralegal of the Year Award and the Susan Norris Haney Community Service Award. and In 2019, Amber was awarded the Austin Young Lawyer’s Association Liberty Bell Award, The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas Exceptional Pro Bono Award, the Pro Bono Support Staff Award from the State Bar of Texas, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Capital Area Paralegal Association.
Henry Mota
Lead Investigator and Founder of Aces Private Investigations
ACES is a professional private investigation company in Houston that provides a full range of security and investigation for Houston and the surrounding areas. ACES private investigations of Houston also offers covert or undercover surveillance that will help uncover any suspicious activities that you may have noticed or suspected, whether it be personal or business related.
Lisa Morano, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Microbiology,
Director of Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability
Dr. Morano is currently the Director for the Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (CUAS) that has a mission to create and support sustainable neighborhoods throughout Houston by engaging UHD and the external community in teaching, research and professional development and promoting best practices in business, technology, science and engagement. The CUAS collaborates with the Texas AgriLife Extension, the Gulf Coast Texas Master Naturalists, local companies and urban farms and non-profits. The CUAS also oversees capstone projects in sustainability, hands-on experiential projects in science and technology, and the EcoReps program.
Dr. Morano’s research focuses on aspects of environmental microbiology including pathogens of grapevines and the friendly bacteria found inside plants called endophytes. She is also passionate about sustainable agriculture and urban agricultural systems and supports student projects in renewable energy, water conservation and mushroom production.
Breann Martin, Psy.D.
Licensed psychologist and certified forensic evaluator
Breann N. Martin, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist and certified forensic evaluator in Oregon. Dr. Martin has experience working in a variety of clinical and forensic settings providing psychological and forensic evaluation services. She has worked in crisis intervention, outpatient, and institutional settings and with clients who have a history of severe and persistent mental disorder and/or criminal offenses. Since 2015, Dr. Martin has been employed at Oregon State Hospital (OSH) as a clinical psychologist where she serves on OSH’s Risk Review (a privileging body), completes various formal risk assessments, and supervises psychology trainees and interns. In this role, she is also an active member of several committees, including the Risk Assessment Committee, Psychology Peer Review Committee, and Medical and Allied Health Professional Staff (MAHPS) Committee. Dr. Martin founded Western Clinical & Forensic Services in 2017 where she completes psychological and forensic evaluations, including those related to areas of competency (e.g., adjudicative, testimonial capacity, Miranda waiver), criminal responsibility, sentencing, risk assessment (i.e., violence, psychosexual, stalking, fire setting), eyewitness testimony, false confessions, and psychological autopsy.
Cody W. Telep
Associate Professor and Associate Director, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
Cody Telep is an Associate Professor and Associate Director in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. He previously worked as a research associate at the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University. His research focuses on synthesizing research to assess what works in policing; partnering with agencies to examine the impact of police practices on crime, disorder and citizen perceptions of legitimacy; and examining and increasing receptivity to research and evidence-based practice in policing.
Ghani Iqbal
Ghani Iqbal is a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, which is the main investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. It is the second largest investigative agency in the country, second only to the FBI. Previously, he was a federal probation officer. He is founder of the website specialagents.org
Authors
Anna Baluch
Contributing Writer
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer based in Cleveland, OH. She left her corporate job to write full-time in 2018 and never looked back. Her work can be seen on a variety of well-known publications such as Forbes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Credit Karma, LendingTree, Experian, Angi and more. When she’s not typing away on her laptop, Anna likes to be outside and spend time with her husband and two young daughters.
Megan Marshall
Contributing Writer
Megan Marshall is a freelance content writer who holds a master’s degree in social work. A creative force with a deep commitment to both storytelling and human connection, she’s worked with 130+ clients across 18 countries. She specializes in SEO blog writing, website copy and social media content for purpose-driven and mission-focused brands. She’s written for mental health, wellness and social justice organizations (with a dash of beauty, edtech, workforce development and food & beverage brands).
Maddie Cohen
Contributing Writer
Maddie Cohen is a UC Berkeley alumna, content marketing writer and former NBC affiliate reporter. She’s made a career of helping businesses communicate in a way that resonates with their target audience, keeping readers engaged and coming back for more of what they have to say. Maddie lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband, their infant son and three pets.
Anna Giorgi
Contributing Writer
Anna Zernone Giorgi is a freelance writer and editor. She writes on topics related to education, healthcare and business for consumer and professional audiences.
- How to become a forensic handwriting expert
- How to become a digital forensics analyst
- Learn how to become a crime lab technician
- How to prepare for the police academy physical fitness test
- Critical thinking in criminal justice: Analyzing scenarios and making decisions
- Learn how to become a blood splatter analyst
- Learn how to become a forensic anthropologist
- Learn how to become a sheriff’s deputy
- Learn how to become a SWAT team officer
- The rise of cyber security and digital forensics degrees
- Learn how to become a U.S. Secret Service special agent
Stephanie Srakocic
Contributing Writer
Stephanie Srakocic is an east coast-based freelance writer who specializes in healthcare, education, and insurance. Prior to making the move to writing, Stephanie worked in healthcare and social services for many years. Her experience in the field has taught her how to break down and explain complex topics in a way people can understand and use. She uses this experience in her writing, creating engaging and highly readable content, no matter the subject. Srakocic is always looking to expand her writing resume. She’s recently completed a journalism certification from Michigan State University and is looking to pursue a grant writing course.
Paige Cerulli
Contributing Writer
Paige Cerulli graduated from Westfield State University in Massachusetts with degrees in English and music performance. She works as a freelance copywriter and content writer covering education, health and wellness, and finance topics. Her work has appeared in outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, American Veterinarian, and more. In her spare time, Cerulli works on several novels, plays the flute and rides horses.
- NSA police officer
- Becoming a forensic scientist in Florida
- How to become a police officer in Massachusetts
- How to become an air traffic controller
- How AI is changing criminal justice
- Associate vs. bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
- How to choose the right criminal justice concentration
- TSA officer (TSO) career guide
Mariah Beckman
Contributing Writer
Mariah Beckman is a Seattle-based writer and editor. She specializes in education and lifestyle content, loves a good laugh and aims, above all, to tell stories that might otherwise go untold.
Joe Edwards
Contributing Writer
Joe graduated from the University of Houston–Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He also attended the University of Baltimore Law School on a partial scholarship before choosing to pursue writing full time.
He has worked as a contributing sports writer for Fansided (NBA websites: AirAlamo.com & SpaceCityScoop.com for the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets), as a contributing writer for My Table Magazine, a Public Relations assistant at Fitzgeralds and White Oak Music Hall in Houston, TX, and as a reporter for The Facts newspaper covering all of the Brazoria Counties in Texas.
He also worked as a web content writer for 8020 Media/TuningPro.Co, which specialized in technical articles on various car makes, models, upgrades, and repairs.
- How to become a fish and game warden
- What to know about private investigation careers
- Private investigator median annual salary
- What does a private detective do?
- Bounty hunter career and education information
- Oregon private investigators: careers, schools, training
- How to become a private investigator in Virginia
- How to become a bailiff
- Paralegal career path
- Everything you need to know about paralegal certification
- How much money does a paralegal make?
- All you need to know about paralegal degrees and programs
- Paralegal degrees & careers
Kendall Upton
Kendall Upton is a Seattle-based staff writer for All Star Directories. She has written for several publications including Seattle magazine on various topics including arts, news, science, and food. She also worked as the office manager and sponsored content writer for the media company that published Seattle, and later worked at a non-profit early learning center. In her free time she enjoys writing poetry and fiction.
- Forensic psychology career guide
- Forensic psychology careers
- Forensic psychology degrees: What you need to start your career
- Guide to forensic psychology master’s degree programs
- Forensic psychologist median annual salary
- Women in law enforcement—history, what to expect and why you should join
- How veterans can start a cybersecurity career
- Diplomatic Security Special Agent careers
- How to become a paralegal in Florida
- How to become a paralegal in Texas
- How to become a paralegal in California
- How to become a paralegal in Illinois
- How to become a paralegal in New York
- Learn about ballistics expert careers
- Top 8 reasons why higher education is important for a criminal justice career
- How criminal justice students paid for school
- Correctional officer career overview
- Learn how to become a police officer in Maryland
- Learn how to become a police officer in New York
- Learn how to become a police officer in Illinois
- Learn how to become a police officer in New Jersey
- Learn how to become a police officer in Texas
- Learn how to become a police officer in Florida
- Learn how to become a police officer in California
- Learn how to become a forensic fingerprint expert
- Wildlife forensic geneticists: What they do, education needed and more
- Property and evidence custodian career guide
- Learn how to become a medicolegal death investigator
- Mastering police report writing: Clarity, accuracy and objectivity
- What is restorative justice? Core principles explained
- Restorative justice in action
- Essential tech skills for criminal justice professionals
- Learn how to become a U.S. Marshal
- The most in-demand criminal justice careers for the next decade
Hailey Hudson
Hailey Hudson is a full-time freelance writer and content marketer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She focuses on the healthcare, digital marketing, education, and pet industries; clients include Healthline, BEE by MailUp, Barnes & Noble Education, Chewy, and many more. In her spare time, Hailey writes YA novels, sings musical theatre, and does advocacy and ministry work in the chronic illness and disability field.
Karen S. Hanson
Karen S. Hanson writes about education, culture, technology, real estate, home improvement, and health. As a journalist, she has worked as a newspaper reporter, editor, blogger, and content writer. She is the author of a book about the Chicago blues. A former college professor, she has a PhD in humanities and teaches online part-time. She is passionate about understanding how people live, work, play, connect with one another, and form communities. A Chicago area native, Hanson spends winters in Florida.
- Types of Local, County, and State Law Enforcement
- What To Expect During a Police Officer Background Check
- Police Officer Rankings
- Police Officer Job Description
- Education Requirements for Police Officers
- How Much Do Law Enforcement Officers Earn?
- Explore criminal justice education
- How much do criminal justice majors make?
- Careers with a criminal justice degree
- Associate degree in criminal justice overview
- How to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
- What is a master’s degree in criminal justice?
- Earning a doctorate in criminal justice
- Earning your criminal justice degree online
MJ Grenzow
Mary Jane Grenzow is a freelance writer and editor based in her home state of Wisconsin. After graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison, she worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for more than 25 years and taught college-level writing and communications courses. As a freelance writer and editor, she has covered a wide variety of topics, including education, finance, and home and lifestyles. She and her husband have three daughters, two cats, and one dog. She enjoys spending free time with her family, reading, summer afternoons on a lake, and watching documentaries.