New College faculty and student represent ASU at the 77th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
New College faculty representing ASU. Pictured (left to right): Sree Kanthaswamy, April Stonehouse, Sherry Fox, Jacob Harris, Katelyn Bolhofner, Jonathan Parrott, Shirly Montero, Lauren Weidner, Adriana Sartorio.
Faculty and students from Arizona State University’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences recently showcased their research and expertise at the 77th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), held from February 17–22, 2025, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Representing ASU’s School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, they engaged with renowned experts in forensic science, highlighting the university’s contributions to the field.
Posters Featuring ASU Authors/Co-authors
They are our parents: The identification and mapping of mass graves resulting from Operation Condor in Paraguay (Harris, Sartorio, Bolhofner)
The role of forensic anthropology and radiography in supporting identifications in a medical examiner’s office (Bolhofner)
*Taphonomic change in fracture characteristics of porcine long bones in the Sonoran Desert during the summer (Bolhofner—Emelia Jensen & Sophia Sedlacek)
*The effect of decomposition on recovery of DNA evidence and its subsequent impact on identification (Melançon, Bolhofner, Parrott)
The distribution of retroreflective glass beads in soil samples (Montero)
A developmental and genomic study to strengthen forensic entomology baseline data (Parrott, Brossia, Thompson)
Posters with an asterisk (*) include undergraduate authors/co-authors.
The ASU delegation at AAFS 2025 featured a dynamic mix of faculty members and students from the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, each contributing their expertise and research to the conference. Among them, Assistant Professors Katelyn Bolhofner, Jacob Harris, and Shirly Montero brought forward innovative forensic methodologies, while Professors Sree Kanthaswamy and April Stonehouse shared their extensive experience in forensic research and practice. Faculty Associate Anjali Ranadive, Assistant Teaching Professors Sherry Fox and Associate Teaching Professor Adriana Sartorio enriched the discussions with their diverse academic perspectives. Undergraduate forensic science student Kathryn Melançon represented the next generation of forensic scientists, making a strong impression with her research presentation. The ASU team actively participated in workshops, oral presentations, and poster sessions, further solidifying the university’s presence in the forensic science community.
Workshop Involvement
- Katelyn Bolhofner (presenter): All Rise 2.0: Navigating the judicial process as an expert witness
- Katelyn Bolhofner and Jacob Harris (presenters): A skeletal atlas of elder abuse: Beta testing a digital diagnostic and educational tool
- Anjali Ranadive (chair): Unmasking the evidence: How defense experts prevented wrongful convictions
Oral Presentations
- Jacob Harris: Establishing a skeletal atlas of elder abuse: A Bayesian examination of the complex relationships between age, sex, and the probability of abuse or accident as related to skeletal trauma (co-author: Bolhofner)
- Shirly Montero: An elemental analysis of glass powder on spent projectiles
- Lauren Weidner: Closing the Divide: Evaluating the discrepancy in forensic entomology research and casework needs
Assistant Professor Jonathan Parrott emphasized the importance of this conference for both faculty and students, stating, “It allows faculty to celebrate and highlight ASU New College undergraduate forensic science research projects from the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics. The conference enables students to engage with professionals in fields they typically lack access to, fostering diverse professional experiences. It’s great to see undergraduate students present their independent research and engage with other experts in the field.”
Among the standout participants was Kathryn Melancon, a forensic science major, who presented her research titled “The Effect of Decomposition on Recovery of DNA Evidence and Its Subsequent Impact on Identification.” Melancon was awarded the prestigious Forensic Science Foundation Student Travel Grant, receiving $1,500 in grant funding to support her attendance at the conference. This highly competitive award is given to only 8–10 students annually. In addition to the funding, Melancon received complimentary registration to the conference, allowing her to connect with leading forensic professionals and researchers. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “I’m so grateful to have had the chance to present my research at AAFS again this year. Seeing my ideas come to fruition as a poster in the conference and having the opportunity to receive feedback from experts in the field is something I value and will continue to value even after moving on from ASU and into my chosen career.”
During AAFS 2025, the Keynote & Plenary Sessions explored the topic “A Double-Edged Sword”, discussing the benefits and perils of technology and artificial intelligence in forensic science. These discussions highlighted how AI and emerging technologies are transforming forensic investigations while also presenting challenges such as ethical concerns, biases, and the reliability of digital evidence.
The presence of ASU New College faculty and students at the AAFS conference underscores the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics’ commitment to advancing forensic science research and fostering professional development opportunities. Events like these continue to position ASU as a leader in forensic education and innovation, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world forensic applications.
