New Jersey forensic scientist to lecture Sept. 19 about trace evidence at URI seminar

KINGSTON, R.I.- September 15, 2008- An Official with the New Jersey Police Office of Forensic Science will discuss, “Analysis of Trace Evidence in the Forensic Lab” Friday, Sept. 19 at the University of Rhode Island’s Forensic Science Seminar.


Forensic Scientist Vincent Desiderio’s lecture will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Pastore Hall, 51 Lower College Road, Room 124, and is free and open to the public.


Forensic science can be split into various disciplines, Desiderio said. Trace-evidence analysis is one such discipline that deals with small transfers of materials that are typically at the microscopic or submicroscopic level. Desiderio will discuss how through various mechanisms, any substance in any given environment can at any point become a relevant item of trace evidence. Therefore the analysis, identification, and comparison of trace evidence can be a very challenging prospect. He will discuss the value of such evidence during criminal investigations, as well as the methods and instrumentation that are employed.


Working in the criminalistics-trace evidence unit, Desiderio has been in the forensic science field for the past 10 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human biology, a master’s degree in forensic science, and is currently enrolled at Rutgers University, where he is working toward obtaining a doctorate in chemistry. He is involved with numerous professional organizations including the Scientific Working Group on Materials Analysis and the Technical Working Group for Fire and Explosives.