Research

The term "Applied Forensic Science" describes the majority of research conducted at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility.

We conduct research that can be applied and will be useful to the medical community, the science community, and the judicial community.
We teach our graduate and undergraduate students how to conduct quality research and to present and publish it.
We encourage and participate in interdisciplinary studies as well as support and collaborate on research with other Universities such as Texas A & M University and the University of Houston.
With suggestions from law enforcement officials and medical examiners we simulate scenarios that they have come across in their line of work to help them understand how events might have occurred.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Bytheway, JA and SM Pustilnik “Glycoproteinous adhesion deposits by Balanus improvisus on human skeletal and dental remains: A case report” J Forensic Sci Jan 2013

JA Aitkenhead-Peterson, CG Owings, MB Alexander, N Larison, JA Bytheway “Mapping the extent of human cadaver decomposition islands with soil chemistry” For Sci Int October 2011 online

Rippley A, NC Larison, KE Moss, JD Kelly, JA Bytheway, “Scavenging Behavior of Lynx rufus on Human Remains during the Winter Months of Southeast Texas” J Forensic Sci. March 2012

Lindgren NK, J Kelly, AD Archambeault, S Bucheli, JA Bytheway “Exclusion of forensically important flies due to burying behavior by the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in southeast Texas” For Sci Int. June 2010 online.

Lindgren, N.K., S.R. Bucheli, A.D. Archambeault, B.C. Rahlwes and J.R. Willett. Four forensic entomology case studies: behavioral observations on seldom reported cadaver fauna with notes on relevant previous occurrences and ecology. (Submitted to Forensic Science International: 17 Aug 2012)

Rippley AD, Yu CC, Bytheway JA. Examination of postmortem hair banding [Capstone Research Project]. College of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science Program, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville (TX), 2012.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

STAFS is dedicated to providing research opportunities for national and international investigators pursuing medical or scientific research. Research can be conducted in the Outdoor Research Facility or the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory.

Researchers interested in STAFS as a research source, can contact the STAFS Director, Dr. Joan Bytheway via e-mail STAFS@shsu.edu or Bytheway@shsu.edu, phone 936-294-2310 or 936-294-4814, or fax 936-294-2311.

For consideration:

Complete the Research Proposal Request Form
Return to STAFS@shsu.edu or Bytheway@shsu.edu
STAFS Research Committee will review the proposal and inform you of their decision within a brief period of time
Depending on the research project, usage fees may be applied

While at STAFS researchers must:

Adhere to all safety procedures
Acknowledge STAFS in any presentations or publications produced as a result of data collected at STAFS
Provide STAFS with poster copies or reprint copies of published articles
Please contact STAFS if you have inquiries concerning our research.