Prof. Wolfe presents on snow impression evidence

Prof. James Wolfe, Justice Center adjunct faculty, has been invited to make a presentation on August 12, 2011 on "Documenting and Collecting Snow Impression Evidence" at the International Association for Identification (IAI) in Milwaukee. He will be discussing the unique challenges to crime scene analysts posed by photographing and casting snow impressions. Part of his presentation will include work done in conjunction with Victor Gonzalez, a South Anchorage High School senior he has been mentoring. Victor is considering a career in forensic science, and under Prof. Wolfe's guidance he assisted with a research project to optimize techniques for casting snow impressions using dental stone (a type of plaster).

The IAI is the world's oldest and largest forensic science/identification organization. Members are from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, private practice, and academic and judicial communities.

Prof. Wolfe also lectured on "Snow Impression Evidence" to the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver in February 2011. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Criminalistics, a national certification for forensic scientists and criminalists. In addition to teaching courses at the Justice Center, Prof. Wolfe travels throughout the state making training presentations to law enforcement agencies.

Pictured above: A North Slope Borough Police Department officer casting a snow impression.