Presented Research
Each student in the BMFS program spends a minimum of three semesters gathering and analyzing data, writing and reviewing a thesis. Each student is assigned a full-time faculty member to serve on his or her research committee along with two other knowledgable professionals.
Many of the research projects completed by BMFS students have been presented at annual regional or national scientific conferences:
2024
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 76th Annual Meeting, Denver CO
- Xiaomeng Yang: The Identification of MicroRNAs for Forensic Biofluid Detection Using a MicroRNA Expression Profiling Method
2023
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 75th Annual Meeting, Orlando FL
- Kyra Uramoto: Finding the DNA: How Much Was Recovered and Where Did the Rest Go?
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 49th Annual Meeting, Mystic CT
- Cameron Filipe: Comparing Likelihood Ratios of Degraded DNA Mixture Profiles Using DNA-View® Mixture Solution™
- Grace Sanpietro: Evaluating Chemical Attributions Signatures of Gasoline Using DART-MS and Chemometrics
2022
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 74th Annual Meeting, Seattle WA
- Abby Houliston: Detection of Pesticides in Cannabis Flowers: A Comparative Study Utilizing DART-MS, LC-MS-MS and QuEChERS
- Nadine Koen: Fentanyl Analog Metabolites in Urine Using Biocompatible Solid Phase Microextraction-Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry
- Wan Yu Tan: The Visualization of Bruises Using an Alternate Light Source
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 48th Annual Meeting, Niagara Falls NY
- Itunu Alao: Automated Sperm Identification Using MetaSystems Metafer Imaging System
2021
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 47th Annual Meeting, Newport RI
- Mason Carlson: Evaluation of the GelSight Mobile 3D Imaging System for Collection of Postmortem Fingerprints
- Reshma Gheevarghese: Evaluating the Efficacy of Three Beta-Glucuronidase Enzymes for the Detection of Opioids for Forensic Toxicology Urine Testing in Drug Facilitated Crime Investigations
- Reshma Gheevarghese: False Negative Results for Blood Tested in the Presence of Chemical Interferents
- Halia Haynes: An Evaluation of Weak Anion Exchange Solid Phase Extraction Cartridges for the Quantitation of PFAS Compounds in Human Biological Matrices
- Abby Houliston: Analysis of Benzodiazepines in Urine by UHPLC-MS/MS: Meeting the Requirements of ASB Standard 121
- Alicia Huerta: The Effects of Adulterants on the Detection of Delta-9- Tetrahydrocannabinol and Methamphetamine in Oral Fluid Immunoassay Testing
- Nadine Koen:Analysis of Benzodiazepines in Urine by UHPLC-MS/MS: Meeting the Requirements of ASB Standard 120
- Allen Mello: Detection of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Metabolites in the Meibomian Lipids of Tear Samples Through LC-MS/MS
- Tan Wan Yu: The Visualization of Bruises Using Alternate Light Source
- Emily Woods: Utilizing BIO-SPME and DART-MS to Detect Drugs in Human Breast Milk
2020
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 72nd Annual Meeting, Anaheim CA
- Chi Hin Marco Chan : Title Validation and Comparison of Three Sample Preparation Techniques for Quantitation of Amobarbital, Butalbital, and Phenobarbital in Blood and Urine Using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatograph/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UFLC/MS/MS)
- Tyler McDermott: An Analysis of Unusual Mutation Patterns in Father-Son Pairs Using a ForenSeqä DNA Signature Prep Kit and a YFilerä Plus Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification Kit
- Erika Phung: Evaluation of the Long-Term Stability of Select Phenylacetylindole, Cycloalkyolindole, Quinolinyl, and Carboxamide Synthetic Cannabinoids in Human Whole Blood Using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
- Miranda Shaine: Optimization of the Forensic Identification of Blood Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 46th Annual Meeting, Virtual
- Natalie Law: Comparison of Standard Operating Procedures Used for the Detection of Opioids in Blood
- Rebecca Millard: Optimization of Extraction Methodologies for Condom Lubricants and Additives in the Presence of Biological Fluids
- Mary Nagle: Optimizing the Isolation and Analysis of Exogenous Trace DNA from Fingernail Evidence
2019
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 45th Annual Meeting, Lancaster PA
- Kangning Zhang: Detection of Saliva on Combustible and Electronic Cigarettes and Subsequent DNA Quantity Analysis
Midwest Association for Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 2019 Annual Meeting, Cleveland OH
- Sarah Boyle: Comparison of LLE and SPE for the Analysis and Quantitation of THC, Synthetic Cannabinoids, and Metabolites for LC-MS/MS Detection in Human Whole Blood
- Chi Hin Marco Chan: Confirmation and Quantitation of Sympathomimetic Amines in Blood, Urine, Vitreous Humor and Tissue by SPE and GC/MS
- Reann Esparza: Impact of Body Mass Index, Calculated Blood Volume, Sex and Age on Observed Alprazolam Concentrations in Urine
- Erika Phung: Evaluation of the Short-Term Stability of Select Naphthoylindole, Adamantoylindole, Quinolinyl, and Carboxamide Synthetic Cannabinoids in Human Whole Blood Using LC-MS/MS
American Society for Mass Spectrometry 67th Conference, Atlanta GA
- Christopher Nicholson:Method Validation of Drugs of Abuse Using Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis/Mass Spectrometry
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 71st Annual Meeting, Baltimore MD
- Daniel Lee:The Detection and Quantitation of 17 Synthetic Cannabinoids in Human Whole-Blood Using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) Following Supported Liquid Extraction
- Courtney McGowan:The Detection and Quantitation of 23 Drugs in Blood and Urine Following Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)
- Cassandra Swart:A Casework Review for Determining Time Since Intercourse in Boston, Massachusetts
- Cassandra Swart:The Detection and Quantitation of Ten Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolites in Human Urine Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS)
- Andrew D. Ziegler: The Optimization and Validation of a Novel Direct-Lysis Differential Extraction Procedure
2018
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 44th Annual Meeting, Bolton Landing, NY
- Beatriz Garcia-Barboza:Analysis of Microcystins LR, YR, and RR in Biological Fluids by 2D-LC Technology
- Paul Iarussi:Conversion of Combined Drugs LC-MS/MS Method Into a Multi-Method Approach by 2D LC-MS/MS Technology
- Kelsie Jenquine: The Effect of Latent Fingerprint Processing on the Recovery of Gunshot Residue Particles from Latex Gloves
- Sydney L. Niles: Confirming False Positive Rates in Immunochromatographic Assays Using Protein Mass Spectrometry and Microscopic Analysis
- Erika Phung:Validation of 15 Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolites in Urine by LC-MS/MS
- Megan Smoker:Glass Population Study and Discrimination of Glass Samples using Glass Refractive Index Measurement III and Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry
- Cassandra Swart:A Casework Review for Determining Time Since Intercourse in Boston, MA
- Cassandra Swart:Detection and Quantitation of 10 Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolites in Human Urine
Society of Forensic Toxicologists Annual Meeting in Minneapolis MN, October 2018
- Courtney McGowan: The Simultaneous Analysis of Twenty-Three Drugs including Amphetamines, Antidepressants, Hallucinogenic, Opioids, Designers, and Anesthetics Compounds by UPLC-MS/MS
Gordon Research Conference for Forensic Analysis of Human DNA, Newry ME, June 2018
- Anooja Rai: Optimization and Validation of a Novel Direct-Lysis Differential Extraction Procedure
Society of Forensic Toxicology/The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists 2017 Annual Meeting, Boca Raton FL, January 2018
- Courtney McGowan: Recommendations for the determination of matrix suppression in biological samples by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS: Extending Quality Measures in Forensic Toxicology
2017
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 43rd Annual Meeting, Pocono Manor PA
- Kayla Benvenuto: 2D LC/MS-MS Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Urine, Plasma and Edibles
- Ani Kazaryan: Hyperspectral Imaging: Proof of Concept for Field Analysis of Select Opioids and Salvia Divinorum
- Courtney McGowan: Recommendation for the Determination of Matrix Suppression in Biological Samples by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS: Extending Quality Measures in Forensic Toxicology
- Annoja Rai: Optimization and Validation of a Novel Direct-Lysis Differential Extraction Procedure
- Jacob Samuel: LC-MS/MS Analysis of Ketamine and its Metabolites in Urine *winner of the NEAFS collegiate poster competition*
- Jennifer Sheehan: Characterizing Double-Back Stutter In Low To Multi-Copy Number Regimes In Forensically Relevant STR Loci
- Ash Vallier: Chiral Separation and Quantitation of the Enantiomers of Ephedrine,Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, and Phentermine in Blood using LC-MS/MS
- Robert Walsh: Characterization of Salvia Divinorum Fortification by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
California Association of Criminalists Spring 2017 Meeting, San Francisco CA
- Megan Wong: Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Forensic Detection and Identification of Human Saliva
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 69th Annual Meeting, New Orleans LA
- David Barajas: An examination of the effects of salvia divinorum fortification on stable isotope ratios
- Malorie Mella: Detection of Cocaine and Its Major Metabolites in Rodent Bone Following Outdoor Decomposition after Chronic Cocaine Administration using 2D-LC/MS/MS
2016
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 42nd Annual Meeting, Atlantic City NJ
- Malorie Mella: Detection of Cocaine and Its Major Metabolites in Rodent Bone Following Outdoor Decomposition after Chronic Cocaine Administration using 2D-LC/MS/MS
- Amanda Moore: Identification of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opiates using Ambient Ionization High Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
- Amanda Moore: The Screening and Confirmation of NBOMe Designer Drugs on Blotter Paper by Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry and FTIR Chemical Imaging Spectroscopy
- Rachel Pruckler: An Assessment of Pipette Calibration Stability Using Statistical Process Control Charts
- Xia Yearwood-Garcia: Changes in the Probability Distribution of the Number of Contributors when Signal Thresholds Are Applied to Complex DNA Mixtures
- *winner of the NEAFS collegiate poster competition*
- Lin Zhen: The Effects of Filtration Sterilization on the Stability of Ketamine, Selected Benzodiazepines and Metabolites in Female Urine
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 68th Annual Meeting, Las Vegas NV
- Alora Sansola: Postmortem Iris Recognition and Its Application in Human Identification
- Erin Walsh: Evaluation of the Components Within Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Drugs of Abuse Using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
- Kathryn Zegarelli: Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for the Forensic Analysis of Vaginal Fluid
Society of Forensic Toxicologists Annual Meeting, Dallas TX
- Raquel LeBlanc: Quantification of Eight Synthetic Piperazines in Biological Specimens Using UFLC-ESI-MS/MS
2015
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 67th Annual Meeting, Orlando FL
- Elena Bemelmans: Effects of Decomposition on the Recoverability of Biological Fluid Evidence
- Jessica Irvine: Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Forensic Analysis of Human Semen
63rd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, St. Louis MO
- Ashley Davis: Acquiring Chemical Attribute Signatures for Gasoline: Ambient Ionization and Chemometric Analysis of Headspace Concentrates
Southwestern Association of Toxicologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans LA
- Erin Walsh: Detection of Drugs of Abuse Within Electronic Cigarette Liquids Using Gas-Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 41st Annual Meeting, Hyannis MA
- David Barajas: Variations on a theme: The detection of NBOMe designer drugs on blotter paper by high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) with and without chromatography
2014
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 66th Annual Meeting, Seattle WA
- Andrew Horsley: High Throughput Analysis of Street-Quality Drug Mixtures by DART GSX Analysis and MassWorks Post-Acquisition Characterization
- Sarah Norsworthy: Characterizing Rates of Allelic Dropout and the Impact on Estimating the Number of Contributors
62nd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Baltimore MD
- Frederick Li: Detection and Characterization of Chemical Attribution Signatures from Smokeless Powders by Direct Analysis in Real Time – Mass Spectrometry
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 40th Annual Meeting, Hershey PA
- Anneliese Lake: Recoverability of Latent Fingerprints on Firearms Evidence at the Boston Police Latent Print Unit
American Society of Human Genetics 64th Annual Meeting, San Diego CA
- Lauren Alfonse: Determining the Number of Contributors from Complex Mixtures: Effects of Template Mass and Complexity on the Ability to Correctly Identify the Number of Contributors
The Electrochemical Society 225th Meeting, Orlando FL
- Candace Churinsky Martin: The Effect of Repeated Activation on Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Cards
2013
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 65th Annual Meeting, Washington DC
- Jacob Gordon: Error Tradeoffs in Human Identity Comparisons: Determining a Complexity Threshold and Exclusion Criteria for DNA Mixture Interpretation
International Association for Identification 98th Educational Conference, Providence RI
- Kristyn Ferber: You Never Leave the Same Print Once
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 39th Annual Meeting, Cromwell CT
- Rhiannon Carter: Colorimetric Analysis of Salvia divinorum Utilizing Ehrlich’s Reagent
- Joseph Iacona: Genomic DNA Isolation from Amplified Product for Recursive Genotyping of Low-Template DNA Samples *recipient of the NEAFS Carol DeForest Student Research Grant*
- Caitlin Rogers: The Prevalence of Intact Sperm Cells in Incidents of Sexual Assault: A Case Study
- Kayleigh Rowan: Characterization of the Sources of Peak Height Uncertainty Resulting from Ordinary Alterations During Forensic DNA Processing: Examining Validation Schemes for the Calibration of NOCit *winner of the NEAFS collegiate poster competition*
2012
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 64th Annual Meeting, Atlanta GA
- Cristina Padilla: Challenges in Evaluating Cause and Manner of Death in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Patients
- Corissa Rodgers: Further Studies Investigating Zeolites for the Recovery of Oxygenated Compounds from Fire Debris Samples
- Emily Kinnaman: Evaluating the Efficacy of Post-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Purification Using Qiagen MinElute® on Low Template Samples (Student Forum)
- Jessica Shea: Development of Streptavidin-Biotin Binding of DNA Amplicons Methods for the Typing and Re-Typing of Forensically Relevant Short Tandem Repeats
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 38th Annual Meeting, Saratoga Springs NY
- Amanda Garrett:Improving DNA Evidence Collection via Quantitative Analysis: A Systems Approach
- James Joseph: Identification of the “Legal High” Phenylalkylamine Analogues: 5-Iodo-2-Aminoindane (5-IAI) and 5, 6-Methylenedioxy-2-Aminoindane (MDAI) by Colorimetric Tests and GC-MS
- David Patlak: Evaluation of Wet Vacuum Collection Versus Traditional Methods for Collection of Biological Crime Scene Samples
2011
American Academy of Forensic Sciences 63rd Annual Meeting, Chicago IL
- Jackson Jeong: Validation Studies of Allele Drop-out and Heterozygote Peak Imbalance of Single and Mixture Profiles Generated with AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® PCR Amplification Kit and analyzed with GeneMapper® ID-X
- Jonathon Dunn: Effects of DNA Degradation on Single-Source and Mixture Profiles Generated Using Traditional and Mini- STRs
- Elyse Cooper: Differential Extraction Conditions: Effects of Aging and Dehydration on DNA Mixture Quantification and Amplification
- Kathryne St. Pierre: Evaluation of a Novel Methodology for the Recovery of Volatiles from Fire Debris Samples
Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists 37th Annual Meeting, Newport RI
- Corissa Rodgers: Further Studies Investigating Zeolites for the Recovery of Oxygenated Compounds from Fire Debris Samples * winner of the NEAFS Peter DeForest Collegiate Competition*
Additionally, students can find research opportunities through the GMS Office.