Publications

• Forensic Laboratories as Drug Policy Partners.pdf

DUI/DUI-drug Toxicologist and Crime Lab Director

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Jennifer: A Leader in Forensic Science and Toxicology Jennifer is a highly accomplished leader in forensic science, with over 17 years of crime lab management and leadership experience. She has served as both Crime Laboratory Director and Assistant Director in two of California's three most populous counties, each with populations exceeding 3.3 million. Key Leadership Accomplishments: Oversaw large-scale operations: As Director, Jennifer managed a staff of nearly 90 across nine forensic disciplines and multiple budgets totaling over $24 million. Drove significant improvements: She successfully implemented a team quality assurance strategy, brought new automated DNA processes online, and established a full-service drug toxicology program where none existed. Enhanced financial performance: Jennifer leveraged legislated fees to increase budget revenues and secured over $12 million in grant funding from proposed $16 million in San Diego and Orange Counties. Streamlined operations: She ensured minimal to no findings in external quality assurance audits and fully transitioned the laboratory to an automated records management system. Championed Lean Six Sigma: In her role as Assistant Director of the Orange County Crime Laboratory's Forensic Chemistry Bureau, she incorporated Lean Six Sigma process improvements and secured an additional $2.5 million in grant funding. Advanced forensic methodology: She spearheaded the development and implementation of state-of-the-art technology and forensic methodology. Expertise and Contributions: Jennifer is a recognized technical expert in both postmortem and ante-mortem toxicology. Her extensive experience includes: Testimony and Presentations: She has testified in over 200 cases involving drugs, alcohol, and poly-drug use. Testimony experience includes depositions, civil hearings, grand jury testimony, administrative, and criminal proceedings including high-profile cases. She presented over 125 times at local, state, and national levels for prominent organizations such as the California District Attorneys Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. She was the advising toxicologist for 8 years on an in-custody and officer involved death grand jury review board and oversaw breath and blood alcohol, am and pm toxicology, and seized drug analysis. Policy and Legislation: Jennifer is currently on the faculty of the National Judicial College and serves as the legislative advisor for the California Association of Toxicologists and the California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors. Notably, she coauthored successful legislation (AB 551, SB 283, and SB 925) in 2019 and 2022 to improve drug prevalence testing and reporting in traffic safety cases. She has also testified before the California State Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees and the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Digital Commerce. Industry Leadership: She is a past president of both the California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors and the California Association of Toxicologists, and a former member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Drug Evaluation and Classification Program’s Technical Advisory Panel as their toxicologist. Accreditation and Training: Her work as a lead and technical assessor for A2LA and ANAB (the forensic laboratories' accreditation body) for more than 15 years demonstrates her commitment to quality excellence. Awards: In 2018, she received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Public Service Award for her contributions to improving forensic drug testing and screening in California. Education: Master of Public Administration (2018) from Brandman University Bachelor of Science in Biology, option in Physiology, with double minors in Chemistry and Political Science (2001) from California State University at Long Beach.