KINGSTON, R.I. -- August 26, 2002 -- The University of Rhode Island Forensic Science Partnership has put together a seminar series for the fall semester that includes such topics as, "Violent Crimes—Silence of Lambs, Fact or Fiction," "Maggots and Murder: Forensic Entomology," and "Medical Aspects of Bioterrorism" and "9/11 What Difference Does a Year Make?"

Now in its fourth year, the seminar series has attracted some of the leading forensic scientists in the nation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, state crime labs and universities across the nation.

"We are continuing our record of bringing top scientists to URI to address the most compelling topics in forensics," said Jimmie Oxley, URI chemistry professor and co-director of the partnership. "We’re proud that the University provides these lectures at no cost to the law enforcement community and the public as a whole. This fall’s lineup is one of the strongest and most interesting we have put together, and it addresses many of the topics that are in the headlines today. We especially welcome students who might have an interest in forensic science, but all Rhode Islanders are welcome to attend these talks."

All of the lectures will be held on Thursdays, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 124 of Pastore Hall on the Kingston Campus. All are free and open to the public.

The forensic series opens Thursday, Sept. 5 with Bernard Ross, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Failure Analysis Associates, discussing "What Went Wrong? –Design Defects."
The remaining schedule of speakers and their topics are as follows:

o Thursday, Sept. 12 – Jeffrey H. Norwitz, special agent, Naval War College,
"9/11 What Difference Does a Year Make?"
o Thursday, Sept. 26 -- Kirk Yeager, FBI Explosives Unit, "The Post-Blast Scene:
Big Cases and Big Headaches."
o Thursday, Oct. 3 -- Marc Weber Tobias, Investigative Law Offices, "Locks,
Safes and Security—Analyzing Bypass Potential."
o Thursday, Oct. 10 -- Jack White, Channel 12 Eyewitness News, "Media in
Forensics."
o Thursday, Oct. 17 -- Tim Pifer, director, New Hampshire State Police Crime
Laboratory, "Crime Lab Technologies."
o Thursday, Oct. 24 -- Elaine Pagliaro, Connecticut State Forensic Science
Laboratory, "Expert Testimony and Forensic Ethics."
o Thursday, Oct. 31 -- Ann Sarkos, FBI terrorism expert, "Medical Aspects of
Bioterrorism."
o Thursday, Nov. 7 -- Jason H. Byrd, assistant professor of forensic science and
biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Maggots and Murder:
Forensic Entomology."
o Thursday, Nov. 14 -- Eugene Regala, FBI expert on serial murder and child
abduction, "Violent Crimes—Silence of the Lambs, Fact or Fiction."
o Thursday, Nov. 21 -- Constantine "Gus" Karazulas, chief forensic odontologist,
Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory, "Computerization of Bite
Mark Evidence."

The Forensic Science Partnership is a collaboration of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory at URI’s College of Pharmacy, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and URI’s colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Human Science and Services. The partnership was established in the fall of 1999 to make URI a center of forensic excellence through research, curriculum development and community seminars.

For Information: Jimmie Oxley 401-874-2103, Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116