Forensic science professionals and enthusiasts can explore the dynamic field’s most recent developments on Saturday, March 28, 2026, as Cedar Crest College hosts the 24th Annual Forensic Science Symposium. This full-day event, known as “Falcon Files,” will showcase five forensic scientists presenting unusual or intriguing cases in their field of interest. Attendees will hear firsthand accounts of these cases, research insights, and learn innovative techniques from professionals in the field.
The symposium, sponsored by the Forensic Science Student Organization, boasts an impressive roster of speakers from a wide variety of fields, including: Carol Ritter, M.S., Professor at Cedar Crest College, presenting Bloodstain Pattern Reconstruction: A Case Approach; Mike Garvey, Ph.D., Philadelphia Police Department, presenting From Tragedy to Identification: The DVI Response to the January 2025 Philadelphia Crash; Julia Garofalo, M.S., DNA Technical Leader Pennsylvania State Police Forensic DNA Division, presenting The Penn State Serial Rapist; Nick Petraco, M.S., Professor of Forensic Science, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, presenting A Factual Account of the Forensic Authentication of the Missing 9/11 ‘Ground Zero‘ American Flag; and Heather R. Dover, MSFS, Senior Forensic Chemist, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, presenting Cut to the Bone: Forensic Toolmark Analysis on Skeletal Remains in a Complex Homicide Investigation.
About the Speakers
Carol Ritter, M.S., D-ABC
Senior Instructor, Cedar Crest College, Department of Forensic Science & Justice Studies Assistant Director, Berner Expert Witness & Crime Scene Lab Training Center, Cedar Crest College Forensic Consultant, Ritter Forensic Consulting
Presentation: Bloodstain Pattern Reconstruction: A Case Approach
Carol Ritter began her career in 1997 as a forensic scientist with the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Laboratory, working on drug, burglary, sexual assault, and homicide cases, including bloodstain pattern reconstruction. She is board-certified, a member of leading forensic organizations, and has court qualified more than 50 times at state and federal levels in drug analysis, body fluid identification, hair identification, and bloodstain pattern reconstruction. She later served as a technical coordinator for PSP, auditing labs, training forensic scientists, and instructing law enforcement. After retiring in 2017, she joined Cedar Crest College, where she teaches and mentors students in forensic science and DNA analysis. In 2020, she started a consulting practice, continuing work in bloodstain pattern analysis and crime scene reconstruction.
Mike Garvey, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Office of Forensic Science
Presentation: From Tragedy to Identification: The DVI Response to the January 2025 Philadelphia Crash
Dr. Mike Garvey is a forensic scientist and executive with prior service in the FBI and CIA, focused on using forensic science to improve public safety and law enforcement. He advocates for data-driven policing and adopted early programs in Rapid DNA, Crime Gun Intelligence, and Lean Six Sigma processes to increase productivity and operational impact. He also holds national leadership roles in multiple forensic and law enforcement organizations and serves as an adjunct faculty member and community volunteer.
Julia Garofalo, M.S.
Forensic Services Program Manager | DNA Technical Leader Pennsylvania State Police Forensic DNA Division | Bureau of Forensic Services
Presentation: The Penn State Serial Rapist
Julia earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from Moravian College (2009) and an M.S. in Forensic Science from Cedar Crest College (2012). She joined the PSP Bureau of Forensic Services Forensic DNA Division in 2012, working as an analyst and in research before becoming a supervisor in 2017. In 2021, she was promoted to Program Manager and DNA Technical Leader, overseeing all lab operations. She has completed over 550 DNA cases and reviewed more than 4,700 others.
Nick Petraco, M.S.
Professor of Forensic Science, Criminalistics Laboratory, Instrumental Laboratory, Microscopy and Trace Evidence, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
Presentation: A Factual Account of the Forensic Authentication of the Missing 9/11 ‘Ground Zero‘ American Flag
Professor Nicholas Petraco is an adjunct full professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), with a B.S. in Chemistry, an M.S. in Forensic Science, and professional experience deemed equivalent to a Ph.D. He served with the NYPD from 1968–1990 in roles including detective/criminalist, working across multiple forensic disciplines. After retiring, he founded Petraco Consulting and has worked on hundreds of cases. Petraco has over 40 years of research experience, with 100+ publications and presentations, multiple grants, and over 500 expert testimonies. He is a retired Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the New York Microscopical Society, a retired member of the American Board of Criminalistics, and an Emirati Diplomat.
Heather R. Dover, MSFS
Senior Forensic Chemist, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department
Presentation: Cut to the Bone: Forensic Toolmark Analysis on Skeletal Remains in a Complex Homicide Investigation
Heather is a Senior Forensic Chemist with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Lab. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and an M.S. in Pharmacy with a concentration in Forensic Science. In 2008, she became the first person from New Jersey to graduate from the ATF’s National Firearms Examiner Academy. She is triple-certified in firearms, gunshot residue, and toolmark analysis—one of only 26 worldwide—and serves as Firearms Identification Technical Lead. She conducts casework, trains others, and has testified in numerous court cases.
For more information about this year’s symposium, please contact Janine Kishbaugh by email at , or contact MacKayla Reed at 814-937-4263 or by email at .
By Catherine Stroh