Selected List of Media and Press Releases:

West Virginia University's 8th Annual Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium - Morgantown, WV (April 20, 2024)

Five undergraduate researchers from the Trejos group presented their projects at the WVU Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium (WVU URS) held on April 20, 2024 in the WVU MountainLair. Presented topics include the innovative methods to analyze gunshot residue, the development of an extensive database for glass evidence interpretation, and new techniques to process tape evidence. Liliana Barbosa was awarded Runner-Up, and Claire Dolton was awarded Winner of the poster presentations in the category of Physical Sciences, Engineering & Technology. Congratulations to all participants on your hard work!

A undergraduate female student with long brown hair and glasses wearing a white blouse and black jacket with a name tag on the right side standing in front of her poster presentation.

A undergraduate female student with long brown hair wearing a yellow shirt and black blazer standing in from of her poster presentation.

Claire Dolton (left) presenting her research poster titled "Evaluating evidence integrity in the analysis of tape evidence when using latent print development and µXRF analysis". Liliana Barbosa (right) presenting her research poster titled "Characterization of Ammunition via LC-MS/MS Analysis of Smokeless Powders, Spent Cartridges, and Hand Residues".

A male undergraduate student with short brown hair and glass wearing a suit and tie with a nametag on the right side in front of his poster presentation. Two female undergraduate research students in front of their poster presentation: on the left has long brown hair and glasses and is wearing a green blouse and black pants; on the right has short brown hair is wearing a black blouse and a pink sweater.

Addio Fiordigigli (left) presenting his research poster titled "Gas Chromatography Solutions for Monitoring Organic Gunshot Residues at Trace Levels". Allison Carranza and Brooke Weiss (right) presenting their research poster titled "Development of an Extensive Database for the Forensic Examination of Glass by µXRF Fluorescence".

American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) 76th Annual Scientific Conference - Denver, CO (February 19-22, 2024)

The Trejos research group, including graduate students and faculty, participated in the 76th Annual Scientific Conference held by the American Academy of Forensic Science in Denver, Colorado. This conference is one of the leading events in forensic science, holding presentations from researchers, practitioners, and other experts in the field. Dr. Trejos presented her work on the physical fit examination of tapes and textiles, and Dr. Arroyo presented the innovations of our research in the gunshot residue field at the NIJ Symposium. Kourtney Dalzell, Lacey Leatherland, and Zachary Andrews presented posters on their respective research projects.

Our research was highlighted at the conference through a research-focused video that was viewed by over 3,000 conference attendees from over 100 countries. The video, titled West Virginia University FIS: Innovations in Trace Evidence Forensics, highlights the intricacies of gunshot residue, glass evidence, and physical fit examination research and the importance of trace evidence in criminal investigations. Collaborations with professionals like professors Luis Arroyo, Casper Venter, Aldo Romero, researchers, statisticians, and practitioners are shown to underscore the multidisciplinary approach shaping advancements in forensic science.
West Virginia University FIS: Innovations in Trace Evidence Forensics, featured at AAFS 2024 Scientific Conference.

The research team, of 6 graduate students and two professors standing behind large letters that say #AAFS2024

From left to right: Dr. Luis Arroyo, Dr. Tatiana Trejos, Zachary Andrews, Lacey Leatherland, Madison Lindung, Leah Thomas, Thomas Ledergerber, and Kourtney Dalzell.

From left to right: Troy Ernst, a forensic analyst from the Michigan State Police, and Zachary Andrews, "Assessing the Reliability of Modern µXRF Technology for Expanded Impact on the Forensic Examination and Interpretation of Trace materials: Glass Evidence", Kourtney Dalzell "Evaluation of Mobile Technology for Detection of Inorganic and Organic Gunshot Residues in Firearm-Related Investigations", and Lacey Leatherland "Assessing the Reliability of Modern µXRF Technology for Expanded Impact on the Forensic Examination and Interpretation of Trace Materials: Tape Evidence".

Pittcon Scientific 75th Annual Conference and Exposition - San Diego, CA (February 26-27, 2024)

Thomas Lederberger, in a suit, standing at a podium giving a presentation to a crowd of people.

Thomas Ledergerber gave his oral presentation titled "Building Foundations for a More Comprehensive Interpretation of IGSR and OGSR Evidence".

A woman with long brown hair wearing a pink blouse and black jacket on the left and a man with short brown hair and glass wearing a professional suit on the right standing in front of poster presentations.

Kourtney Dalzell (left) and Zachary Andrews (right) with their poster presentations: "Can the incorporation of screening methods in gunshot residue workflows lead to more effective management of firearm-related cases? on the left and "Assessing Spectral Comparison Metrics for the Forensic Analysis of Glass and Electrical Tape" on the right.

Eureka STEM Camp - Jackson's Mill, WVU (March 16, 2024)

WVU graduate students and faculty had the opportunity to travel to Jackson's Mill, a WVU satellite location in Lewis County, WV, to teach young women about the various aspects of forensic science and examination. The middle-school-aged girls were demonstrated seized drug analysis via Raman spectroscopy, microscopic and physical fit examination of duct tape, and the development and characteristics of fingerprints.