Contact Information

Biography

Dr. Pamela Marshall has been involved in the field of forensic analysis since 2002. Upon the completion of her MS in Forensic Genetics in 2002, she worked as a Forensic Scientist III at the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division. While in Maryland, Dr. Marshall became an expert on sexual assault kit examination and collection practices. She was the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Coordinator for the state, helped to promote 120-hour SAFE collection legislation, and assisted in the training of over 200 SAFE nurses.

Dr. Marshall has travelled abroad to Luanda, Angola, Africa in order to train analysts in forensic DNA analysis. She has been qualified as an expert witness in the field of serology in Maryland and Texas.

From 2014-2018, Dr. Marshall served as the Director of the Forensic Science Program at the Southern University at New Orleans, a public, historically black college and university (HBCU). While at SUNO, Dr. Marshall created a state of the art forensic laboratory for hands-on research and experimentation. She has received numerous grants as well as partnered on research projects with other faculty and students. She is an advocate for increasing the number of African American and underrepresented minority professionals in the field of forensic science.

Dr. Marshall has extensive graduate and undergraduate teaching experience in the forensic disciplines of serology, DNA, and microscopy. Her research interests include low copy number DNA, human and wildlife DNA identification challenges, nanoparticle technology, pressure cycling technology, and PCR enhancement.

Expertise

• Forensic Serology (Body Fluid Identifiication)
• Forensic DNA Analysis
• DNA Interpretation
• Ethical Considerations in Forensic Science
• Low Copy Number DNA Methodologies and Analysis
• Court Testimony on Serology and DNA

Education

B.S. Biology, Texas Christian University
M.S. Biochemistry, University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC)
M.S. Forensic Genetics, UNTHSC
Ph.D. Forensic and Investigative Genetics (Biomedical Sciences), UNTHSC Dissertation: Improved Tools for the Robust Analysis of Low Copy Number and Challenged DNA Samples

School

Research focuses on improved serological and DNA analytical methods, evidence storage conditions, reductions in contamination during evidence processing, use of pressure cycling technology to improve DNA quality and quantity in challenged samples, and human and wildlife DNA identification challenges.
  1. Moore, Caley MS; Hammers, Jennifer DO; Marshall, Pamela PhD. Clonazolam Intoxication Case Report: Danger of Designer Benzodiazepines. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 43(4):p 372-375, December 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000803
  2. Conte J, Kishbaugh JM, Baxter DJ, Thompson R, Pankaj S, Chilukuri RV, Marshall P. Developmental Validation of the forensic GEM Universal Kit for the Extraction of Genomic DNA. Forensic Genomics. 2022 Sep 1;2(3):71-80. http://doi.org/10.1089/forensic.2022.0008
  3. Webb, P, Frame, K, and Marshall PL (2018). Correlates of campus crime: An exploration of minority attitudes at an HBCU. Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, DOI: 10.1080/15377938.2018.1462284
  4. Marshall PL, Stoljarova M, Larue BL, King JL, and Budowle B (2014). Evaluation of a Novel Material, Diomics X-SwabTM, for Collection of DNA. Forensic Science International: Genetics 12, 192-198.
  5. Marshall PL, Stoljarova M, Schmedes SE, King JL, and Budowle B (2014). A high volume extraction and purification method for recovering DNA from human bone. Forensic Science International: Genetics 12, 155-160.
  6. Marshall PL, King JL, and Budowle B. (2014) Utility of amplification enhancers in low copy number DNA analysis. Int J Legal Med. 1-10.
  7. LaRue BL, Moore A, King JL, Marshall PL, Budowle B. An evaluation of the RapidHIT® system for reliably genotyping reference samples. Forensic Science International: Genetics. 2014 Nov 1;13:104-11.
  8. Schmedes S, Marshall P, King JL, and Budowle B. (2013) Effective removal of co-purified inhibitors from extracted DNA samples using synchronous coefficient of drag alteration (SCODA) technology. Int J Legal Med. 127(4), 749-755.
  9. Marshall PL, King JL, Lawrence N, Lazarev A, Gross VS, and Budowle B. (2013) Pressure cycling technology (PCT) reduces effects of inhibitors of the PCR. Int J Legal Med. 127(2), 321-333.
  10. Warshauer DH, Marshall P, Kelley S, King J, and Budowle B. (2012) An evaluation of the transfer of saliva-derived DNA. Int J Legal Med. 126(6), 851-861.
  11. Marshall, P. (2002) Optimization of spermatozoa capture during the differential extraction process for STR typing with the potential for automation. In John M. Butler (2nd edn.), Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers, p. 47 (2005) Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic Press.
  12. Conrad CC, Choi J, Malakowsky CA, Talent JM, Joungil C, Marshall P, and Gracy RW. Identification of protein carbonyls after two-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteomics 1(7), 829-834 (2001).
  13. Conrad C, Marshall P, Malakowsky C, Talent J, Joungil C, and Gracy RW. Oxidized proteins in Alzheimer's plasma. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 275, 678-681 (2000).
FORE 101 - Introduction to Forensic Science and Law
FORE 230 - History of Forensic Science
FORE 300, 320, 400W, and 420W - Professional Development I-IV Series
FORE 480 - Independent Research
FORE 521 - Forensic DNA Analysis/Interpretation/Statistics
FORE 550 - Seminar Journal Club
FORE 640 - Research Defense
FORE 650 - Advanced DNA Topics: Non-Human DNA Applications