Forensic Résumé

STEPHEN A. SHAFFER
102 Nicholl Avenue, Pt. Richmond, CA 94801-3921
1.510.232.1315 (voice), 1.909.363.7716 (fax)
sshaffer@microdataware.com

Hyperlinked Outline of the Résumé

OBJECTIVE

A management position in an operational forensic science laboratory.

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

A diverse range of experience in forensic science, technical software development, electronic publishing, teaching, and business management. Extensive forensic knowledge in laboratory management, crime scene investigation, trace evidence, and firearms examination. Qualified in Municipal, Superior, and Federal Courts as an expert witness.

Laboratory Management

  • Founded and operated a technical software development and publishing firm, taking two significant products to market and assisting other firms in their software and publishing efforts. Responsible for all aspects of business management and design of the software products.
  • Founded and developed an environmental and forensic laboratory, growing it from 2 people to 50 employees with three divisions at two sites in a period of 5 years. Responsible for all aspects of laboratory planning, financial management, hiring and employee development.

Forensic Science

  • Acted as a consultant to government and private attorneys and investigators doing forensic case management and all trace evidence, firearms, and crime scene examinations.
  • Served as Criminalist in a county sheriff's department, responsible for crime scene investigation, trace evidence and firearms examinations. Trained in but not primarily responsible for serology and controlled-substance analyses. Conducted more than 100 death scene investigations, testified more than 50 times.

Technical Database Design and Publishing

  • Developed and published a technical reference text and database application which has become a standard reference tool in analytical microscopy laboratories, including forensic science laboratories. The product remains in distribution world-wide.
  • Under contract with another publisher, developed a standard reference database of industry contacts for the food service industry which was published and remains in circulation.
  • Designed other technical reference database products under contract to clients for proprietary use.
  • Designed and supervised the development of a comprehensive, multi-user laboratory information management system (LIMS) for two environmental laboratories.

WORK HISTORY

1992 - Present President, MicroDataware, a specialty technical software development and publishing firm in Hayward, CA.
1994 - Present Lecturer in Forensic Microscopy for the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services, California Criminalistics Institute, Sacramento.
1986-1991 Founder and President of Forensic Analytical Specialties, Inc., (Hayward, CA) and Forensic Analytical Specialties - Southwest, Inc., (Rancho Dominguez, CA) sister corporations engaged in environmental laboratory analysis, field environmental project management, and limited forensic consulting.
1984-1986 Consulting Forensic Scientist with the Institute of Forensic Sciences Criminalistics Laboratory in Oakland, CA.
1978-1984 Criminalist I - III with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, Fresno, CA.
1982-1984 Founder and owner of San Joaquin Microscopy, a small business enterprise engaged in contract microscopy analysis and research in Fresno, CA.

EDUCATION

  • Numerous post-graduate, intensive courses in forensic science, laboratory management, and other topics, 1978 to present.
  • Graduate Studies in Forensic Science, University of California, Berkeley, 1975-1977. Coursework and research in chemistry, geology, materials science, optical and electron microscopy, electron and x-ray diffraction.
  • Bachelor of Science, Criminalistics, University of California Berkeley, 1975.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • California Association of Criminalists (CAC), Member, 1978 - Present, Training Resources Committee Chairman, 1980 - 1981, Secretary and Member of the Board of Directors, 1984 - 1986.
  • The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), Provisional Member, 1984 - 1995.
  • Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Society, University of California, Berkeley Chapter, 1976 - Present.

REFERENCES

A list of references will be provided upon request.

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