David R. Foran

Associate Professor
Director, Forensic Science Program

Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1987

426 Giltner Hall
Office Telephone: 517-432-5439
foran@msu.edu
Research website

Forensic Science, Forensic Molecular Biology, Species and Individual Identification

The Forensic Biology program at Michigan State University is a joint curriculum of the Department of Zoology and School of Criminal Justice. Research in my laboratory focuses on designing and perfecting techniques that help advance the fields of forensic biology and forensic molecular biology. We also strive to develop a better practical and theoretical understanding of methods currently used in State, Federal and private forensic laboratories. Our research encompasses both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, and while the primary focus is on the human species, work is performed on trace evidence from domestic animals that may exist at a crime scenes, and wildlife species that are endangered, threatened, or otherwise at risk. We also conduct research on cases of historical interest through molecular examination of crime scenes and exhumed bodies, such as our work on the Boston Strangler and Dr. Hawley Crippen.

Representative Publications

D.R. Foran, M.E. Gehring, and S.E. Stallworth. 2009. The Recovery and Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA from Exploded Pipe Bombs. Journal of Forensic Sciences 54, 90-94.

M.S. Meyers and D.R. Foran. 2008. Spatial and Temporal Influences on Bacterial Profiling of Forensic Soil Samples. Journal of Forensic Sciences 53, 652-660.

A.M. Tarone and D.R. Foran. 2007. Aging Blow Flies Via Gene Expression: A Feasibility Study. Journal of Forensic Sciences 52, 1350-1354.

R.L. Gundry, M.W. Allard, T.R. Moretti, R.L. Honeycutt, M.R. Wilson, K.L. Monson, and D.R. Foran. 2007. Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of the Domestic Dog: Control Region Variation Within and Among Breeds. Journal of Forensic Sciences 52, 562-572.

A.M. Tarone and D.R. Foran. 2006. Environmental Components of Variation Contributing to Plasticity in the Development Rate of a Michigan Population of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Medical Entomology 43, 1023-1033.