KINGSTON, R.I. – September 9, 2008 – The University of Rhode Island’s Forensic Science Seminar Series is under way, and includes such topics as art theft, DNA analysis and terrorism acts. The talks are held Fridays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Pastore Hall, Room 124. The seminars are free and open to public.

The schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 12, Peter Ginaitt, director of emergency preparedness at LifeSpan, “Readiness of Terrorism Acts.” Ginaitt is a former firefighter and state representative.

• Sept. 19, Vincent Desiderio, vice president of N.J. State Police Office of Forensic Science, “Analysis of Trace Evidence in the Forensic Lab.”

• Sept. 26, Herbie DiFonzo, Hofstra University Law School, topic to be announced.

• Oct. 3, Bob Leuci, URI professor, author and retired NYPD, “Ethics and the Criminal Justice Employee.”

• Oct. 10, Elizabeth LaPosata, retired Rhode Island medical examiner, “Pathology in the public interest.”

• Oct. 17, Gil Sapir, forensic consultant and attorney, “The Expert Witness.” Sapir has been published in Forensic Magazine and his work can also be seen in “Forensic Evidence: Science and the Criminal Law.”

• Oct. 24, Neal Langerman, advanced safety consultant, “Chemical Investigations: Mundane to the Insane.” Langerman has courtroom experience with litigation involving chemical contamination, pollution, explosions, fatalities, chemical misuses and product liability.

• Oct. 31, Robin Cotton, director of biomedical forensic science, University of Boston, “DNA analysis.”

• Nov. 7, Tom Thurman, professor at Eastern Kentucky University, “Explosive incidents.” Thurman has published several books, including “Practical Bomb Scene Investigation.”

• Nov. 14, David Smith, executive director of Rhode Island Emergency Management, “Mass Disaster, Incident Command.”

• Nov. 21, Anthony Amore, director of security for Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, “Art Theft.” Amore has had hands-on experience in more than 14 years of national security, law, intelligence, and crisis management experience with federal government agencies.

• Dec. 5, Donna Brandelli, of L.A. County Sheriff’s Department of Scientific Services, “Multidisciplined Approach to Crime Scene Investigation.”