Meet The Experts

DR. JILL DOOLEY

Director

Dr. Jill Dooley is currently the first woman Lab Director for the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, overseeing the four satellite forensic laboratories across the state. Previously she was appointed to the Director for the Office of Forensic Services (OFS) at DCJS, after serving as the Latent Print Laboratory Director within the agency.  She was a past Commissioner on the Commission of Forensic Science (CFS), is a member of the New York Crime Laboratory Advisory Committee (NYCLAC), member of the American Society for Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), as well as executive committee member of the National Association of Forensic Science Boards (NAFSB). She has a bachelor's from SUNY Albany, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry, a master's from Marist College in Public Administration, and doctoral degree from Capella University in Organization and Management with a focus on Leadership. She began her career in the field of forensics in 2000 working her way up from Senior Laboratory Technician to Lab Director, and now Director of Forensic Services overseeing the New York State Police Crime Lab System. During her career she mastered several disciplines within the field of forensics such as Biological Sciences, Trace Evidence, Questioned Documents, Firearms, and Latent Prints. Dr. Dooley also was an Adjunct Professor at three local community colleges teaching their Intro to Forensics courses for several years. Born and raised in Albany, she continues to live locally while volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and raising her two daughters. When she isn’t working, she enjoys reading, seeking out live music, and traveling with her ever-patient and supportive boyfriend.

JESSICA L. BOURDON

Forensic Scientist

Jessica L. Bourdon is a Forensic Scientist in the Biological Sciences Casework section at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Siena College in 2005 and her Master in Public Administration from Marist College in 2011. She started her career at the Lab in 2006 as a Senior Laboratory Technician (SLT) in the Bioscience Casework Section and was promoted to a Forensic Scientist in 2014. She is an active member of the Northeast Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS). As a Forensic Scientist, Jessica spends much of her time performing Serology analysis on evidence samples, writing reports, performing technical reviews of others casework, assisting with training, and testifying as needed. Jessica also became a certified Hair Examiner in 2018 adding to her evidence examination qualifications.  Jessica enjoys being a mentor at the Lab and helping others on their Forensic Science journey. She lives in North Greenbush, NY, with her husband, two step children, three dogs, forty chickens, two ducks, and her goose. She enjoys playing competitive ice hockey, spending time with her family, friends and beloved dogs, watching her kids compete in sports, and hobby-farming.

 

 

STEPHANIE GOLDMAN   

Forensic Scientist

Stephanie Goldman is a Forensic Scientist with the New York State Police at the Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY. She has a     Bachelor of Science in biology from Case Western Reserve University and a Master of Science in Forensic Science from Michigan State University. After working for 15 years as a DNA analyst at a private lab, she joined the Bio Casework section as a serologist in 2021. She is also a member of the American Academy of Forensic Science. Stephanie is married with two children and enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, and building Lego. 

 

 

 

 

JOLIN KOCH

Forensic Scientist

Jolin Koch is a Forensic Scientist – Technical Coordinator at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Ningbo University. Her interest in evolutionary biology led her to pursue a Master of Science degree in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis from the University of Edinburgh, where Charles Darwin once studied and Dolly the sheep was born. She later obtained another Master of Science degree in Forensic Biology from the University at Albany. Continuing education is always an important part of her life. She gained a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and leadership/management certificates from Harvard Business School Online. While working as a DNA analyst, she also specializes in Next-Generation Sequencing, programming, SQL, and Crystal Report. When she is not at work, she likes reading and doing various sports, such as swimming and playing pickleball, with her friends and family. 

 

 

CARRIE MCGINNIS

Supervisor

Carrie McGinnis is a Supervisor in the Biological Science – Casework section at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY. She has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology from Hudson Valley Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Russell Sage College, and a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Ethical Leadership from Marist College. She started her career at the Lab in 2006 as a Senior Laboratory Technician (SLT) in the DNA Databank, advancing to a Forensic Scientist in the DNA Databank and Casework sections before promoting to a Supervisor position in 2017. As a Supervisor, Carrie leads a team of SLTs and Forensic Scientists, conducts technical and administrative reviews of DNA case reports, manages case submissions, and works with staff in the Section’s training program. She is a member of the Northeast Associate of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS), and is designated a Certified Forensic Manager from the National Forensic Science Academy.

 

 

LOLA MURRAY

Forensic Scientist

Lola Murray has worked at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY since 2006. She has a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science: Toxicology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and both a Certificate and Master of Science in Forensic DNA and Serology from University of Florida. As a Forensic Scientist, she specializes in both Serology and DNA analysis of casework, and is one of the trainers in the SANE nurse program. Professional memberships include Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and certification in Forensic Molecular Biology from the American Board of Criminalistics. She has three children, and enjoys running, hiking and traveling. 

 

 

LYN NILES

Senior Laboratory Technician

Lyn Niles is a Senior Laboratory Technician who has worked at the NYSP Forensic Investigation Center since 2001. She attended HVCC and SUNY Empire. Ms. Niles began her career at the Lab in Evidence Receiving and was later promoted to her current job in the Biological Sciences Casework Section, where she processes crime scene samples for DNA, via the processes of extraction, quantitation and amplification. Her favorite part of the job is training new staff on the chemistries and theory behind each process, as well as working on validations for upcoming instrumentation/workflows in the section. She lives in Latham with her two children, enjoys hiking and home DIY projects when she isn't cheering her kids on at their various sporting events.

ANDREW JAOUEN

Supervisor

Andrew Jaouen is a Supervisor in the Firearms Unit at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY. He has a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology/Anthropology with a concentration in biological archaeology from Mercyhurst University which included coursework in human skeletal biology, osteology, zooarchaeology, skeletal trauma analysis, and taphonomy. He stayed at Mercyhurst University and earned a Master of Science degree in Anthropology with a dual concentration in geoarchaeology and archaeology. Part of his college experience included working with the Mercyhurst Forensic Scene Recovery Team on cases in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Andrew started his career at the Forensic Investigation Center in evidence receiving in 2016, advanced to Senior Laboratory Technician in both the Trace Evidence and Firearms sections, and is now a Firearms Examiner performing microscopic comparisons on fired ammunition components, test firing submitted firearms, and working with the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). Andrew is a  member of the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE). In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, hiking National Parks, and traveling.  

BRIAN LASKOWSKI  

Senior Investigator

Brian Laskowski is a Senior Investigator in the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit assigned to the Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, NY. Brian began his career with New York State Police as a Trooper in 1998. Prior to his current assignment he worked as an Investigator in the Troop F - Forensic Identification Unit for twelve (12) years; where he responded to and forensically processed crime scenes in addition to developing, examining and comparing friction ridge impressions. He is a Latent Print Examiner responsible for the Quality Assurance Review of Friction Ridge cases statewide and a certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst. He is a member of the International Association for Identification (IAI). He lives in Ulster County with his wife and their two children, and he enjoys fishing with his son and visiting his daughter at Clemson University. 

Cathy Eckhardt

Director

Cathy Eckhardt is a 32-year member of the New York State Police. She has spent her entire career in the field of Multimedia Technologies and is currently Director of Forensic Video Multimedia Services for the New York State Police. In that capacity, she oversees a Unit that provides Forensic Multimedia Analysis support to federal, state, and local agencies across the Northeast. Forensic Multimedia duties include documentation of crime scenes, on-scene forensic multimedia acquisitions, digital multimedia evidence analysis, 3D Photogrammetry/Reverse Projection analysis, and providing testimony in criminal/civil court proceedings. Cathy is a graduate from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications and the Northeast Broadcasting School in Boston, Massachusetts. Additional education and training have been successfully completed in the field of Forensic Multimedia Analysis by the Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Video Association, The National Computer Forensics Institute – United States Secret Service, Magnet Forensics, Axon Investigate, and Salient Science, to name a few. She is also a member of the Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers. Cathy has extensive courtroom experience providing testimony in cases ranging from homicides to bank robberies and received a merit award for her forensic video analysis assistance in a homicide investigation. Cathy is also an educator in the field of Digital Forensics and presents technology instruction to law enforcement and colleges across the Northeast. 

DR. CLAIRE MURO

Forensic Scientist

Dr. Claire Muro has been working in the Seized Drugs section at the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center since 2019. She spends most days analyzing evidence for the presence of controlled substances, but her favorite part of her job is testifying in court. Originally from Syracuse, she has been living in Albany since 2008 when she came to the University at Albany to earn a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry. She stayed at the University at Albany for her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) where she studied Analytical Chemistry, focusing on forensics and multivariate data analysis. Dr. Muro has been a member of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists since 2015. When she isn't at work she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and working on photography.

SAMANTHA WHITFIELD

Forensic Scientist

DUSTIN ABBOTT

Forensic Scientist

Dustin Abbott is a Forensic Scientist in the Toxicology Section of the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Suffolk University and a Master of Science in Biomedical Forensic Sciences from Boston University School of Medicine. Dustin has been with NYSP since 2018 and prior to his time in New York he worked for four years in private sector analytical chemistry (environmental toxicology, product chemistry, and pre-clinical pharmaceuticals) and for two years as a Criminalist with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Crime Laboratory Toxicology Unit. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching forensic toxicology and expert witness testimony for the College of Saint Rose and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS). He is a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), a board certified toxicologist with the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), and has been a guest lecturer for the Midwestern Association of Forensics Scientists (MAFS). Dustin is an expert in liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method development and validation in addition to his duties as a blood and oral fluid certifying scientist in the Toxicology Section. He lives in a quaint village in the hills west of Albany with his wife and two sons.

LILIA PRONIN

Forensic Scientist