about gap science
hey there, we're Ashley + Erin
We help forensic professionals in law enforcement achieve productive, cohesive teams with applicable leadership skills tailored to their field.
At Gap Science, it’s our mission to support leaders in the forensic community with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to grow at each milestone in your career.
Whether you’re a field training officer or supervisor or just want to prepare for advancement in your career, Gap Science can show you how.
Are you ready to become a better leader in your forensic unit? Let’s dive in!
our story
If you want something that doesn't exist, create it!
We started out as newly promoted supervisors in the same agency – Erin was in charge of the Latent Print Unit and Ashley was in charge of the Crime Scene Unit.
As we started to attend supervision and leadership training courses together, we quickly realized…
… many courses were geared toward patrol units
… civilian supervision courses didn’t cover the specific challenges forensic units face
… and the really good leadership courses were expensive and a huge time investment.
That’s when we decided to “fill in the gaps” by create a supervision course specific to the needs of forensic personnel. Cue in the 40-hour Forensic Supervision course, the origin of Gap Science!
upcoming schedule
our teaching style
We can promise Gap Science courses are unlike any other forensic training you’ve attended! While we’re not everyone’s cup of tea, here’s what you can expect to experience.
interactive & high energy
You'll have many opportunities to get out of your seat and mingle with other students through activities and discussions every day
Soft skills > technical skills
Be a leader, not a boss! We teach our students the importance of developing better communication and interpersonal skills
keeping it real
We like to foster a safe space where we can learn from each other and everyone can share their stories and experiences (expletives permitted)
Behind the scenes
Get to know us
Since that first Forensic Supervision course, we’ve gone on to release a 40-hour Forensic Field Training Officer course, several eCourses and countless webinars. But (and we know this will sound cliché) it feels like we’re just getting started!
However, none of this would have been possible without the other members of the Gap Science team. In fact, most of our instructors were past students we met and hand selected from our in-person courses.
Everyone brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, but even more importantly they have a passion to pass on that information to you!
meet your gap science
instructors
ashley church, ms, ccsa
Ashley Church has always had a passion for forensic science and chased her dream job as a crime scene investigator. After completing a internship at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for her undergraduate degree, she continued her education in entomology where she studied the impact of a highly prolific invasive species within a quarantined laboratory. She was also responsible for collaborating with specialists, organizing materials, and developing presentations workshops as well as recruiting, training, and supervising undergraduate laboratory assistants.
Ashley began her career as a Crime Scene Investigator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida. After completing her first year, she became a field training officer.
In 2017, she became a Forensic Technician for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Kissimmee, Florida and she was promoted to Forensic Supervisor in 2018. She was responsible for supervising members of the Forensic Unit and Pre-Screening DNA Laboratory as well as training staff in these forensic disciplines to full competency.
Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science with a Minor in Chemistry and a Certificate in Crime Scene Investigations from the University of Central Florida in 2011 and a Master of Science degree in Entomology from the University of Florida in 2013. She also became a Certified Crime Scene Analyst through the International Association for Identification (IAI) in 2019.
Ashley currently works full-time for Gap Science and also teaches for Tri-Tech Forensics. She incorporates her passion for science with a modern, energetic instructing style in hopes to inspire other leaders in similar fields.
erin west, ms, ccsa, clpe
Erin West began her career in 2006 as a Crime Scene Investigator for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. In 2010, she became a Battlefield Forensics Instructor for the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, where she was responsible for training military personnel how to use a variety of forensic disciplines to investigate crimes overseas. In 2012, she became a Supervisor, then a Deputy Program Manager for a Department of Justice Forensic Laboratory housed at American Systems, where she was responsible for training and supervising staff working in different forensic disciplines and at different levels of management. After leaving American Systems, she spent several years with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Florida working as a full time Latent Print Examiner. In 2019, she became the Forensic Supervisor over the Crime Scene Unit and DNA Laboratory at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, in 2020 she became the Latent Print Supervisor over the Latent Print Unit, and in 2021 she became the Forensic Manager.
Erin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in Forensic DNA and Serology with a graduate certificate in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida in 2012.
Erin is a member of the International Association for Identification (IAI) and the Florida Division of the IAI and has been a presenter at the annual FDIAI Conference. She is the Director of Region 2 of the FDIAI. She is an instructor for TriTech Forensics. She is an IAI Certified Crime Scene Analyst and an IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner.
jen helms, ccsa
Jen Helms is an IAI Certified Crime Scene Analyst and has been in the field of forensic science for almost a decade. Her desire for forensic science stemmed from a line of family in the same field. After graduating with her B.S. from West Virginia University’s Forensic & Investigative Science program, she moved from the mountains of West Virginia to the beaches of Florida.
Jen worked, for about six years, as a Crime Scene Investigator for Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and during that time, she attended the 37th session of the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. While at BCSO, Jen also met her husband, a sworn law enforcement officer, and they were married in 2015. In 2018, Jen transitioned to a newly created position of Forensic Supervisor at Kissimmee Police Department. As the first solely designated supervisor of the Forensics Unit at KPD, Jen was met with the realization that there was a need for specialized, affordable training for forensics professionals, especially those within the confines of property and evidence. Managing a property and evidence room of over 90,000 items, recognizing the antiquated means many evidence rooms operate within, and understanding the crucial role evidence technicians play in the judicial system is why Jen took it upon herself to implement and create new property and evidence practices and policies at KPD.
Shortly after the birth of her first daughter in July 2020, Jen realized her role in the forensic science discipline would shift to that of more training and knowledge sharing. Jen now works for a local non-profit and is proud to be a part of the Gap Science team.
rebeca d’jimas, ms, ccsi
Rebeca D’Jimas is currently a Forensic Science Supervisor and the Crime Scene Technical Manager at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in the Forensic Sciences Division. Supervisor D’Jimas started her career at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2001 as a Crime Lab Technician in the Evidence Section. She was hired by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as a Forensic Science Specialist in the Forensic Sciences Division. As a Forensic Science Specialist, she served as a Field Training Officer for five years and a member of the Major Case Response Team for six years, where she was responsible for responding to and leading her coworkers during major case crime scene investigations. Supervisor D’Jimas was promoted to Assistant Forensic Science Supervisor in 2013 and then promoted to Forensic Science Supervisor in 2019. Supervisor D’Jimas was appointed as Forensic Science Interim Manager during 2019. Throughout her time as a Forensic Science Supervisor, she was the Major Case Response Team Supervisor for six years, and is currently a member of the 3D Reconstruction Team, a member of the Ground Penetrating Radar Team, and the Field Training Officer Supervisor.
Supervisor D’Jimas received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of South Florida in Communication Science and Disorders, her Crime Scene Technology Certificate and Associate’s Degree at St. Petersburg College, and her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice with a Forensic Science Specialization at Saint Leo University.
Supervisor D’Jimas is a Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) for the International Association for Identification and holds a FARO Focus 3D Scanner Certification. She has assisted in writing multiple grants that have been awarded to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office through the National Institute of Justice, and has completed over 1,400 hours of crime scene and forensic supervision training. She has been an instructor for crime scene related topics throughout her career, including for the Explorer Post, Road Scholars, Saint Leo University, PCSO Citizens Academy, New Deputy Recruit Training, and the Forensic Sciences Division Training Program. As a Forensic Science Specialist, she worked over 4,550 cases and has supervised over 220 homicide scenes since becoming a Forensic Supervisor.
lindsey olson, ms
Lindsey Olson currently works at Costa Mesa Police Department as the CSI Supervisor. She has been in the field of forensic science for ten years. She was hired by CMPD in August of 2019 and oversees the crime scene and latent print disciplines. She is currently completing her Masters in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership at the University of San Diego and is due to graduate in January 2022.
Prior to working at CMPD she worked as a Lead Forensic Specialist at Orange County Crime Lab and was hired in 2011. She was assigned to CSI field unit where she responded to major and minor crimes. She was a CSI Explorer Advisor for the Orange County Sheriff Department CSI Division from 2013-2019. She was an instructor at the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy, University of Long Beach CSI certificate program, and enjoys giving community presentations including National Night Out and Citizens Academy.
Lindsey is a member of the International Association of Identification (IAI) and Southern California Association of Fingerprint Officers (SCAFO).
Lindsey’s identical twin sister works as a Deputy Sheriff at Orange County Sheriff Department and her mother is a fire captain with Orange County Fire Authority. She has a strong support system with her mother and sister.
rob caceres, d/s
Roberto has been a Deputy Sheriff for the Broward Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. He started his law enforcement career in the Broward County Police Academy in November 2002 and then as a Road Patrol Deputy in May 2003.
In May 2008, he was transferred to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit as a forensic investigator. After being involved in over 1,200 death and shooting related cases, and approximately 180 homicides, Roberto has gained the knowledge and experience to lead and instruct forensic investigators on how to properly document a scene and/or victim. He has been a Field Training Detective since 2014 and since then has been involved in the full year long training of five Detectives and one Technician. In 2018, he was assigned as the Lead Field Training Detective in the unit to oversee the training and development of new detectives.
In August 2015, Roberto was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense to travel to Kingston, Jamaica to teach an introductory Shooting Reconstruction course to INDECOM; the Jamaican state agency responsible for use of force investigations of their multiple law enforcement agencies. In January 2017, Roberto took a leadership role in the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit’s portion of the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport mass shooting investigation. He led 12 Forensic Detectives with various on-scene investigative tasks in collaboration with various agencies such as the FBI and ATF. In February 2018, he was also tasked as one of the lead forensic investigators during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting. His leadership role in conjunction with the on scene supervisors allowed Roberto to coordinate, task, and take command of various forensic investigators from within his unit and various agencies.
In October 2018, he was awarded “Detective of the Year” from the Broward County Crime Commission for his exemplary service in the field of forensics.
In 2019, Roberto co-created a presentation called, “Mass Casualty: A Crime Scene Perspective”. He has presented this lecture to various law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Florida in addition to the 2019 FDIAI Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Roberto earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University in January 2006.
michael kessler, ms, ccsa
Michael Kessler, PSM-FS, IAI-CCSA, is the Forensics & Public Safety Manager for the Denton (TX) Police Department where he leads the Forensics & Public Safety Division. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with Forensics Concentration from American Public University and a Professional Science Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from Florida International University (FIU).
Michael is the current Vice Chair of the NIST Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science Scene Examination Scientific Area Committee (SAC) and is the former Chair of the Crime Scene Investigation Subcommittee having been a member of the Subcommittee since its creation in 2016. He also serves as the founding Chair of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB) Crime Scene Investigation Consensus Body (CSI CB). Since 2007, he has been actively certified by the International Association for Identification (IAI) as a Certified Crime Scene Analyst.
Following nine years in law enforcement and crime scene investigation, he became a biometric and forensic exploitation subject matter expert supporting the U.S. Department of Defense at home and abroad. His defense experience includes special operations; research, development, test and evaluation; training; forensic and technical exploitation of IEDs; and full spectrum exploitation activities including five deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa.
Michael was the project manager and co-author of the Five Eyes Forensic and Technical Exploitation Handbook published in 2019 and has co-authored book chapters and articles in peer reviewed journals.
Meredith Tise, PhD
Dr. Meredith Tise currently works at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as the Forensic Quality Assurance Coordinator. She was hired in 2017 to begin the forensic accreditation process for the crime scene and latent print disciplines. In November 2018, they successfully achieved ANAB forensic accreditation, and Dr. Tise continues to manage that accreditation for both disciplines. She also currently works as a consulting forensic anthropologist for the District Six Medical Examiner’s Office in Largo, Florida.
In 2011, Dr. Tise worked as a Forensic Anthropology Fellow at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona assisting in the identification of deceased individuals along the United States-Mexico border. From 2012 to 2014, she served as the Laboratory Manager for the University of South Florida Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Applied Sciences where she assisted law enforcement agencies with forensic anthropological recoveries and skeletal analyses, as well as led the field operations and DNA sample submissions for the Former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys Boot Hill Cemetery Project in Marianna, Florida. From 2014 to 2015, she was a Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology at the University of Lincoln, in the United Kingdom, and from 2015 to 2017, she worked as a forensic anthropologist and recovery leader with History Flight on the MIA Project where she conducted American WWII MIA/KIA recoveries in both the Central Pacific and Europe.
Dr. Meredith Tise received her Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology from the University of South Florida with a concentration in forensic anthropology, her M.A. in Anthropology from Texas State University, and her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Tise is an Associate Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a Full Member of the Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers. She has successfully completed several trainings with ANAB on the accreditation standards and auditing procedures, including the Forensic ISO/IEC 17020 Technical Assessor Course.
joanna goldman, f-abmdi
Joanna Goldman is a graduate of the University of Florida with a BA in Anthropology as well as Criminology. After her undergrad, she continued her education at the University of Central Florida, obtaining a Masters in Anthropology with a focus in Forensics.
During her graduate program she completed an internship with the Forensic Unit at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and after graduating in 2011, was hired on full time as a Crime Scene Investigator.
In 2013 she moved to the District 9 Medical Examiner’s Office as a Medicolegal Death Investigator for Orange and Osceola Counties. Joanna completed her initial certification with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, becoming a diplomat in 2014. In 2019 she completed the advanced certification and became a fellow with ABMDI.
Joanna’s experience in the field of forensics has helped to form a passion for the field of death investigation as well as compassion for assisting family and friends in their time of grief. She was one of the investigators who responded to the Pulse Night Club mass shooting in 2016 and has worked hundreds of death investigations in her 9+ years in the field of forensics. Joanna is also the executive assistant for the Southeastern Homicide Investigators Association, focusing on strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and local medical examiners offices.
elyse bekiempis
proud partners with
Our passions
beyond the science
- Ensuring forensic professionals receive proper training through a high quality, comprehensive training program prior performing job duties
- Promoting mental health awareness and breaking the stigma of seeking therapy or any other form of help as needed.
- Alleviating burnout in a culture where being overworked, underpaid and undervalued has been the norm.
- Bridging the gap between the sworn and civilian employees by creating a culture of inclusivity and mutal respect
- Giving a voice to the forensic units whom often feel forgotten or unappreciated for their contribution to the criminal justice system
reviews
what do other students say about Gap Science?
Browse through over 60+ five-star reviews on our Facebook page!
« If you're a new forensic supervisor, THIS IS THE COURSE TO TAKE!!! »
Ashley R.
« The Forensic Supervision course has been a great resource! There were so many questions that I had, Erin and Lindsey were open and answered all my questions. I feel so much better, and more prepared for work. »
« 11/10 recommend attending their training classes! »
Selena b.
« I recently attended my first Gap Science FTO training class. Ashley is a fantastic teacher and brings awesome energy and makes her students feel heard. The presentations were well thought out and very concise. »
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