KINGSTON, R.I. – Jan. 24, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island’s Forensic Science Partnership lecture series is back for the spring semester. One of the more unique lecture series in Rhode Island celebrated a milestone last year when the series celebrated its 25th year.

The seminar has brought local, regional, national and international authorities to talk about everything from the Boston Marathon bombing to September 11. The seminars feature experts on crime, evidence-gathering, crime prevention and investigations that rely on scientific processes.

The series has hosted guest speakers such as Kirk Yeager, the FBI’s chief explosives scientist; Robert Leuci, who exposed corruption in the New York City Police Department; Mary Jane Behrends Clark ’76, best-selling suspense novelist; and Anthony Amore ’89, chief of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Visiting speakers have discussed everything from explosive devices and national security to forensic odontology and arson, coming to URI from the Department of Homeland Security, R.I. State Fire Marshal Office, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Secret Service.

Professor of Chemistry Jimmie Oxley, an expert on explosives and energetic materials, coordinates the free public lecture series with Dennis Hilliard, director of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory at URI.

All lectures are held on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. in the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences (Room 100). URI students attend the series for credit, but the lectures are open to the public at no cost.

Crime Fridays

This spring’s speakers and topics are:

Jan. 31 — “Digital forensics,” professor of computer science Victor Fay-Wolfe. Fay-Wolfe is a URI Faculty Fellow, recipient of the University’s Golden Key Teaching Award, and the founder and director of URI’s Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Center.

Feb. 7 — “NCIS crime scene processing,” Michele Petro, special agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Newport.

Feb. 14 — “Cultivating cannabis … and alcohol awareness,” Anthony Silva, retired police chief and past president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, which represents nearly 50 agencies statewide.

Feb. 21 — “Search dogs – finding humans,” Matthew Zarrella. Zarrella launched the R.I. State Police’s search and rescue K-9 unit and has traveled the world looking for missing persons and military personnel missing in action. His career is the subject of the award-winning feature documentary Searchdog, by URI’s Mary Healey Jamiel.

Feb. 28 — “Trends in forensic DNA analysis,” David San Pietro, associate professor of forensic science, University of New Haven. San Pietro brings perspective from working in the New York City Police Department Crime Laboratory and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

March 7 — “The role of forensic archaeology in solving cases,” Ann Marie Mires, director of forensic criminology, Anna Maria College. An experienced forensic anthropologist/archaeologist, Mires spent several years directing the Molly Bish Center for the Protection of Children and the Elderly.

March 21 — “The coldest case in Rhode Island: R.I. versus John and Nicholas Gordon,” Michael DiLauro, retired public defender and criminal justice reform advocate. DiLauro will discuss the 1845 trial of the Gordon brothers, and the case of John Gordon, the last man executed in Rhode Island.

March 28 — “Police do horse around,” Steven Courville, Providence Police. Sgt. Courville oversees the capital city’s mounted command, one of a few of its kind remaining in the country. The command regularly patrols Providence streets and attends community happenings such as the Bristol 4th of July Parade, PVD Fest and more.

April 4 — “Introduction to crime gun intelligence,” Robert White and Ricky Mustion II, ATF Crime Gun Intelligence, Boston. White and Mustion will discuss the role of firearms in intelligence work, as it pertains to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

April 11 — “Tales of a medical examiner,” Patricia Ogera, Rhode Island state medical examiner. Ogera has worked as a medical examiner in New England for more than a decade.

April 18 — “Defending the indigent,” Fred Whitehurst, retired FBI, defense attorney. A chemist by training and FBI whistleblower, Whitehurst helped bring about reforms at the agency to improve the reliability of its testing.

April 25 — “New England organized crime and informants,” Anthony Pesare, retired, Rhode Island State Police. Pesare spent 24 years in a Rhode Island state police intelligence unit investigating mobsters and served twice as chief of police in Middletown.

(Schedule subject to change; join email list for updates)

URI’s Forensic Science Seminar Series is offered for credit for students and also open to the public at no cost. The public can park in Lot 13 behind the Beaupre Center, which is open for general parking at 3 p.m. on seminar Fridays. High school students interested in forensics are also welcome. Those who cannot attend in person may view the lectures live online.

Links to talks by prior speakers can be viewed here.

To learn more about the URI Forensic Science Seminar Series and to be added to the series’ email list, contact kristen.curry@uri.edu or call 401-874-5602.