Dwight E. Adams, Ph.D.

Director

Education:

Ph.D. Botany, University of Oklahoma 1982

M.S. Biology, Illinois State University 1979

B.S. Biology, University of Central Oklahoma 1977

On July 1, 2006, Dr. Adams became the first Director of the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute.  The Institute leads continuing education in forensic science for professionals and leads UCO's undergraduate and graduate forensic science program.  Dr. Adams retired with 23 years from the FBI after serving as Director of the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.  The FBI Laboratory consists of 700 scientific, technical and response personnel and an operational budget of more than $100 million.  The FBI Laboratory is the largest and most complex laboratory of its kind in the world.  In 2003, he was the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award as Distinguished Executive; the highest award given in the Federal Government.

Dr. Adams was a member of the FBI's research team that developed the DNA techniques first used in 1988.  He has testified as a DNA expert in federal, state and local courts for the prosecution and defense in excess of 130 times.  He also served on the national DNA Advisory Board responsible for creating standards governing all DNA testing crime laboratories in the U.S and was a member of the Attorney General's National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence. Dr. Adams oversaw the creation of the National DNA database linking 175 crime laboratories and responsible for solving or aiding more than 80,000 cases nationwide. 

He is the author of numerous scientific publications, mostly in the field of DNA technology applied to human identification.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034
(405) 974-6910 OFC
(405) 974-3804 FAX
dadams8@uco.edu

Debra Clark, Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Education:

A.A.S. Physical Therapist Assistant, Baker College 1995

Debra Clark is currently the Executive Assistant to Dr. Dwight E. Adams in the Forensic Science Institute.  She began her UCO career in January 2005 starting in Enrollment Management.  In April 2006, she accepted a position as Executive Assistant for Oklahoma A+ Schools and worked there until recently accepting the position with the Forensic Science Institute in January 2009.

Before moving to Edmond, Debra was the Transfer Coordinator at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.  Her primary responsibilities were course articulation, advising students, and first term scheduling.  Previous to her higher education experience, Debra was the Office Manager for an independently owned real estate company. 

She currently lives in Edmond with her husband and four children.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6910 MAIN

dclark22@uco.edu

Thomas Jourdan, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Forensic Science Institute and Associate Professor of Chemistry

Education:      

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1986
M.S. Nuclear Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1984
MBA. University of California, Los Angeles, 1979
M.S. Organic Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, 1975
B.S. Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 1974    
B.A. Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, 1974

At the end of December 2006, Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Jourdan retired from the FBI to assume two roles at the University of Central Oklahoma, those positions being Assistant Director, Forensic Science Institute (FSI), and Associate Professor of Chemistry.  Dr. Jourdan's primary responsibility at the FSI is the extra-territorial program, which is coordinated with the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  Since coming to UCO, he has participated in IAEA training courses in Pakistan, Brazil, China, India, Singapore, and South Africa. 

Upon graduating from the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia, Special Agent (SA) Jourdan was first assigned to the FBI office in Alexandria, Virginia, and then 2 years later to the Washington, D.C. Field Office (WFO).  After serving 4 years at WFO, 2 ½ of them being detailed to the Lockerbie Incident Control Centre, Lockerbie, Scotland, as the Bureau's liaison to the Scottish Police during the PanAm 103 investigation, now SSA Jourdan was transferred to the FBI  Laboratory.  After serving as a bench examiner in the Chemistry and Toxicology Unit for four years, he became Chief of the Materials Analysis Unit, moving on from there to become the Chief of the Materials and Devices Unit, the latter giving him oversight of the Bureau's post-blast bombing crime scene group.  Over the course of these last three assignments, SSA Jourdan participated in a number of bombing investigations, to include the World Trade Center, Atlanta's Olympic Park, UNABOM, Oklahoma City, and the Dar es Salaam and Nairobi Embassies.  SSA Jourdan was next assigned to the newly-formed FBI Resident Agency at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as the interface between the FBI and the Department of Energy's national laboratory complex, in particular for weapons of mass destruction (WMD), forensic casework matters, and special inquiries.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6917 OFC
(405) 974-3804 FAX
tjourdan@uco.edu

Mark R. McCoy, Ed.D.

Associate Professor Forensic Science Institute and School of Criminal Justice

Education:

Ed.D. Occupational and Adult Education, Oklahoma State University, 2000
M.S. Forensic Science, National University, 1984
B.S. Public Administration, Western Michigan University, 1980

Fulbright Scholar in Information Technology/Digital Forensics 2012

Dr. McCoy joined the faculty at UCO in the fall of 2005 following retirement from his position as Deputy Inspector with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).  Prior to his career at the OSBI, he worked as a police officer for the Tulsa Police Department and was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. 

During Dr. McCoy's  20+ years with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation he was assigned to the Lawton Regional Office, was the resident agent in Stillwater, Ok. and was assigned to the OSBI  headquarters in Oklahoma City. He was involved in conducting and supervising all types of criminal investigations including homicide, rape, robbery, embezzlement, and public corruption. Dr. McCoy specialized in computer crimes and the forensic examination of digital evidence and was the first supervisor of the OSBI Computer Crime Unit. He led the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that investigated cases of child sexual exploitation and child pornography on the Internet. He has been Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) since 1996, has conducted and supervised the forensic examination of digital evidence and has testified as an expert witness in state and federal court. Dr. McCoy was a member of the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE), President of the Oklahoma chapter of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), and a member of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS). Dr. McCoy serves as the Forensic Science Institute's Digital Evidence Program Administrator and as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.

His research interests include digital forensics, computer crime, the application of technology in law enforcement and law enforcement education and training.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6914 MAIN
(405) 974-3804 FAX
mmccoy@uco.edu

John P. Mabry, J.D.

Assistant Professor Forensic Science Institute and School of Criminal Justice

Education:    
J.D. Law, University of Alabama, 1984 
B.S. Business Administration/Accounting, University of Tennessee, 1981 Dr. Mabry holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. in law from the University of Alabama.  He is a member of the Alabama State Bar and a former Law Clerk for U.S. Circuit Court Judge Peter T. Fay, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11^th Judicial Circuit.  Dr. Mabry joined the faculty of the Forensic Science Institute in 2009 after retiring from the FBI with 25 years of service as a Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent and Chief Division Counsel.   During his FBI career, Dr. Mabry served in three field offices and the FBI's Child Abduction and Serial Killer Unit in Quantico, Virginia.  Dr. Mabry's investigative and supervisory experience includes violent crimes, white collar crime, organized crime, SWAT operations, domestic terrorism and international terrorism.  He has worked and supervised a number of high-profile child abduction cases in both the United States and abroad and is a recipient of the Excellence in Investigations Award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6910  OFC
(405) 974-3804  FAX
jmabry1@uco.edu

Wayne D. Lord, Ph.D.,

Associate Professor Forensic Science Institute and Biology

Education: 

BS Biology, Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania 1976

MS Entomology and Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 1978

Ph.D. Zoology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 1982      

Dr. Wayne D. Lord is currently an Associate Professor in the Forensic Science Institute and Department of Biology at the University of Central Oklahoma.  As a Supervisory Special Agent and twenty-one year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he has previously served in a wide variety of investigative and supervisory assignments in the forensic and behavioral sciences.  Dr. Lord served as a Unit Chief in the FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) which is part of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).  Specifically, Dr. Lord directed Behavioral Analysis Unit -III, which provides behaviorally-based investigative and operational support to time sensitive and complex crimes involving child victims, including child abductions, child homicides, mysterious disappearances of children, and child sexual victimization. Additionally, Dr. Lord provided oversight for the NCAVC's behavioral research program.

Following completion of New Agent's training in 1986, Dr. Lord was assigned to the Hartford, CT Resident Agency of the FBI's New Haven Field Division, and subsequently served in the Forensic Science Research and Training Center (FSRTC) of the FBI's Laboratory Division. Dr. Lord was instrumental in the conceptualization, development, and management of the FBI's nationwide Evidence Response Team (ERT) program.  He has also served as a field division relief supervisor, FBI pilot-in-command and SWAT team member.  Prior to entering FBI service, Dr. Lord served as a USAF Medical Entomologist and Parasitologist at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, DC and held a faculty appointment at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. Additionally, Dr. Lord served as a forensic science consultant to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Connecticut, and the Connecticut State Police Forensic Laboratory.

Dr. Lord holds academic degrees in biology, entomology/ecology, and zoology.  He has extensive experience in criminal investigations, the detection and recovery of human remains, crime scene management, forensic entomology, and in the behavioral analysis of violent crimes.  Dr. Lord has co-authored over fifty scientific articles and book chapters, and lectures extensively throughout the United States and abroad.  Dr. Lord's research interests include the study of juvenile mortality in social organisms, the behavioral ecology of child abduction and child homicide, the biology of vertebrate decomposition, the population ecology of social wasps (Hymenoptera:Vespidae), the natural history of Harvestmen (Opiliones), and the parasites of marine mammals.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6918 OFC
(405) 974-3804 FAX
wlord1@uco.edu

Deion Christophe

Impression Evidence Training Coordinator, Forensic Science Institute

Education:

M.S. Forensic Science, University of Central Oklahoma, 2011

M.S. Certificate, Forensic Science, Nebraska Wesleyan, 2006

B.S. Psychology, Baker University, 2002

Mr. Christophe became an adjunct professor with UCO in the spring of 2008, while employed with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) Crime Laboratory as a Firearm & Toolmark Examiner. Prior to his employment with OCPD, he was employed in the same capacity with the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory in Austin, Texas.  Mr. Christophe's service and experience as a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner brings expertise in the microscopic comparison of firearms evidence and ammunition components, operation of the NIBIN/IBIS database, toolmark comparisons, shooting distance determinations, serial number restorations, function tests, and training law enforcement personnel. Mr. Christophe is also specialized in identifying, collecting, preserving, examining, and interpreting the physical evidence associated with criminal matters. Mr. Christophe has conducted thousands of examinations and has testified as an expert witness in both State and Federal courts. Mr. Christophe is a member of the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE), an international association dedicated to the advancement of Firearm and Toolmark Identification; and a member of the Texas Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners.  He has also published a peer-reviewed article in the AFTE journal. Mr. Christophe has utilized his expertise as a consultant with Fox Television Studios in their series Saving Grace. Mr. Christophe currently serves as the Forensic Science Institute's Impression Evidence Training Coordinator and his research interests include firearms, toolmarks, over-penetration in shooting incidents, and advanced training programs for students and professionals.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6916  OFC
(405) 974-3804  FAX
dchristophe@uco.edu

James Creecy

DNA Evidence Coordinator, Forensic Science Institute

Education:

M.S., Biology, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 2005

B.S. Biology, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 2003

Mr. Creecy has a dual appointment to the Forensic Science Institute and Department of Biology at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).  Prior to his employment with UCO, Mr. Creecy was a Serologist and DNA Analyst for the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) Crime Laboratory. Mr. Creecy's service and experience contributes expertise in the areas of microscopic and macroscopic examination of biological material, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis, forensic application of population statistics, operational knowledge of the CODIS database, and professional continuing education of law enforcement and medical personnel.

Mr. Creecy currently serves as the DNA Evidence Training Coordinator for the Forensic Science Institute at UCO. Mr. Creecy's research interests include the validation and evaluation of new DNA assays, laser capture microdissection, unique techniques for the detection and separation of spermatozoa, resolution of complex biological mixtures, and creative training programs for students and professionals.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6920  OFC
(405) 974-3804  FAX
jcreecy@uco.edu

David L. von Minden, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science Institute

Education:     

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1970

B.S. Chemistry, Texas Tech University, 1966

In August, 1996, Commander David L. von Minden (MSC, USN [RET}) received an appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, and became the Coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree program. In August, 2006, Dr. von Minden was promoted to Full Professor. He has served UCO as a Faculty Senator for four years, as the President of the UCO chapters of Sigma Xi and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). He continues to serve as the College of Mathematics and Science representative on the AAUP Executive Council, as the Treasurer of the Oklahoma State AAUP, and the AAUP representative to the Graduate Council. He has been the lead faculty adviser for the Student Academy of Forensic Sciences since its founding.  Beginning in August, 2009, Dr. von Minden will have a dual academic appointment in the Department of Chemistry and the Forensic Science Institute, teaching forensic science courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.

After two postdoctoral assignments, Dr. von Minden received a commission in the Medical Service Corps in 1974. He entered the world of forensic science in 1975, being appointed the Officer in Charge, Naval Drug Screening Laboratory, Norfolk, Virginia. After a five year tour, he received orders to go the Toxicology Division, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Washington, D.C., where he was the Head of the Department of Defense Drug Detection Quality Control Laboratory and later as the Head of the Tissue Toxicology Laboratory. In August, 1982, he was assigned to the Navy Drug Urinalysis Task Force as the Scientific Consultant. Here he served as a trouble shooter and technical consultant for technical problems facing the Naval Drug Screening Laboratories and wrote the first technical Standard Operating Procedures Manual for the system and designed the annual inspection program for the laboratories. In August, 1983, he received orders to the Naval Academy, Department of Chemistry, where he served as an Associate Chair and instructor. In August, 1986, he returned to the AFIP as the Chief, Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Chief Medical Examiner. In 1990, he received orders to go to the Naval Medical Research Institute, Toxicology Detachment, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, where he served as the Chief of the Bioanalytical Section. In 1993, Dr. von Minden retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander, and was employed as the Director of Toxicology, Drs. Weber, Palmer and Macy Medical Laboratory, Salina, Kansas.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-5467 OFC
(405) 974-3804 FAX
dvonminden@uco.edu

Robert O. Bost, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science Institute

Education:     

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Houston  1970

M.A. Chemistry, The University of Texas 1967

B.S.  Chemistry, The University of Texas  1965

Dr. Bost joined the faculty of the University of Central Oklahoma in January, 2002, as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and also as the director of the Master of Science in Forensic Science program.  Courses Dr. Bost has taught at UCO include Introductory Chemistry lecture and laboratory (for non majors), General Chemistry I laboratory, Quantitative Analysis laboratory, Instrumental Analysis laboratory, and graduate courses in Forensic Toxicology and in Human Death Investigation. 

Bost worked in the toxicology laboratory of the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office, Cleveland, Ohio for 7 1/2 years and as the Chief Toxicologist for the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences (Medical Examiner's Office and Criminal Investigation Laboratory), Dallas, Texas for 10 years.  He was an Assistant Professor and an Associate Professor in the department of Pathology at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Dallas for 10 years.  He also established a private consulting practice (Toxicology Consultants, Inc.) over 20 years ago; clients have included attorneys,  insurance companies,  and urine drug testing laboratories, and he has consulted and/or testified in probably over 100 cases for various courts (local, state, federal and courts martial).

The increasing demand for laboratories to be able to document their competence and credibility has led to several accreditation programs.  Bost has participated in both SAMHSA (formerly NIDA) and CAP programs to accredit forensic urine drug testing laboratories and in the AAFS/SOFT accreditation of forensic toxicology laboratories.  More recently, universities have begun to seek accreditation of their degree programs, and Bost has served as a Site Visitor at five universities as a component of their application to achieve FEPAC accreditation.

Bost is also active in professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences/Toxicology Section, the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (including being President in 1990), The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, the Southwest Association of Forensic Toxicologists, and the International Association for Identification.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-5519  OFC
(405) 974-3862  FAX

rbost@uco.edu

Amanda Bevers

Administrative Assistant AT&T Digital Evidence and Cyber Security Laboratory

Education:

B.A in Psychology from University of Oklahoma, 2010

B.A. in Criminology from University of Oklahoma, 2010

M.S. in Forensic Science from University of Central Oklahoma, (In Progress)

 Amanda Bevers is currently the Administrative Assistant for the AT&T Digital Evidence and Cyber Security Laboratory located in the Forensic Science Institute. She began her career at UCO in October 2011 when she accepted the position with the Forensic Science Institute.

 Before moving to Edmond, Ms. Bevers graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma in Norman with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and another in Criminology. She is currently completing her Masters in Forensic Science at UCO.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 83
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6950 MAIN
(405) 974-3969 FAX
abevers@uco.edu

Janie Womble

Administrative Assistant II

Janie attended UCO and later became marketing coordinator for KTVY Channel 4.  After the birth of her 2^nd child, she was a stay at home mom until her employment as Office Manager at a local private school.

She started at UCO in July of 2004 as Administrative Assistant at Oklahoma A+ Schools. Five years later Janie took the position of Administrative Assistant II at the Forensic Science Institute.

She is married and has 2 daughters.

Contact Information:
University of Central Oklahoma
Forensic Science Institute
100 N. University Drive, Box 203
Edmond, OK  73034

(405) 974-6911 MAIN

jwomble1@uco.edu