Meet the Speakers • Gap Science

Meet YOUR Speakers

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU!

Meet Your Hosts

Hey there, we're Ashley and Erin from Gap Science and creators of The Vault!

We’ve worked in forensic science and leadership roles, and over time we started noticing something that doesn’t get talked about enough:

The longer people stay in this field, the more they tend to push themselves further down the priority list.

Long hours become normal.
Lunch breaks disappear.
Work starts coming home.
And self-care becomes the thing you sacrifice first when the job gets heavy.

When we created our very first course, Forensic Supervision, we intentionally built self-care and staff-care into the curriculum because we’ve seen how important it is to recognize when you or your team is struggling—and know how to support them in those moments.

We’ve also personally experienced how quickly life outside of work can reshape how you show up (whether through personal loss, mental health crises, and major life transitions) while working in this field.

Those experiences didn’t take us out of forensics, but they did change how we show up for ourselves, our coworkers, and the work!

Mental health has been part of our work since the very beginning of Gap Science, and we’ve continued building training and conversations around burnout, stress, trauma exposure, and long-term sustainability in this field.

And now we’re bringing you the Mental Health in Forensics Summit to talk honestly about what this job does to people, and what it takes to keep doing it without losing yourself in the process!

Head to Gap Science's Website to Learn More

Meet Your Speakers

Meet the experts leading the conversation on mental wellness in forensics. Through research, personal experiences, and practical strategies, they’ll help you better understand the impact of this work, build resilience, and create healthier individuals, teams, and organizations.

Teresa Bryant

Beyond the Trauma: How Critical Incident Exposure Changes Forensic Professionals

Teresa Bryant is a retired Crime Scene Investigator with the Town of Jupiter and brings nearly four decades of experience serving in civilian law enforcement roles, including communications specialist, service aide, traffic crash investigator, and crime scene investigator. She also served as an adjunct professor in the Forensic Science Program at Keiser University from 2018 to 2023.

Teresa holds three master’s degrees in Public Administration, Forensic Psychology, and Philosophy, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology with a specialization in Crisis Response. A respected leader in the forensic community, she is the Past President of the FDIAI, current President of the SCIAI, and serves on multiple professional boards.

Teresa is also a published author, contributing to numerous forensic publications and co-authoring a chapter in First Responder Mental Health. Her passion for practitioner wellness and resilience continues to shape her work as an educator, author, and advocate for the forensic profession.

Grab Your Copy of The Resilient First Responder!

Jason Cole

When Your Body Says Stop: A Forensic Professional’s Wake-Up Call

Jason Cole is a Senior Technical Sales Specialist for Foster + Freeman with more than two decades of experience in law enforcement and forensic science. He began his career as a police officer with the Sandy City (Utah) Police Department before transitioning into forensic science, where he has served as a Forensic Investigator, Forensic Director, and Latent Print and Footwear Examiner.

Jason currently also serves part-time as a Latent Print Examiner for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout his career, he has responded to and processed major crime scenes, managed forensic laboratory operations, and examined friction ridge and footwear evidence. A dedicated leader within the forensic community, Jason has served on the boards of both the Utah and Nevada Divisions of the International Association for Identification (IAI), including multiple terms as President, and currently serves on the IAI Board of Directors. He remains committed to advancing forensic science through education, leadership, and practitioner support.

Head to the Foster + Freeman Website to Learn More!

Matt Davis

Exploring Alternative Approaches to Healing Beyond Talk Therapy

Matt Davis has worked in forensic science since 2013, beginning his career as a Latent Print Technician for a U.S. Department of Justice laboratory before joining the Waco Police Department as a Latent Print Examiner in 2014. In 2022, he was promoted to Crime Scene Unit Supervisor, where he currently leads his agency’s crime scene operations.

Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Science and Biology from West Virginia University and is passionate about developing the next generation of forensic professionals. A graduate of Gap Science’s Forensic FTO and Forensic Supervision programs, he has gone on to serve as an instructor in Gap Science Virtual Academies, sharing his experience with forensic practitioners across the country.

Matt is dedicated to advancing forensic leadership while promoting the health and resilience of those working in the profession.

Head to the Gap Science Website to Learn More!

Nathalie Klasens

What the Research Says About Trauma, Resilience & Psychological Safety for CSIs

Nathalie Klasens, CCSA, is a Crime Scene Investigator II with the Parker Police Department in Colorado and brings more than 20 years of experience in investigations, evidence management, and crime scene processing. An International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Analyst, she also serves on the Critical Incident Response Team for Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District.

Throughout her career, Nathalie has processed major crime scenes, attended postmortem examinations, provided courtroom testimony, and received extensive training in forensic science and investigative practices. She recently earned her Master of Science in Criminology from Regis University with Graduate Honors, where her capstone research examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Crime Scene Investigators, focusing on cumulative trauma exposure, coping strategies, and organizational support. Combining academic research with firsthand field experience,

Nathalie is passionate about advancing mental wellness in the forensic community and helping agencies build resilience, psychological safety, and long-term career sustainability for forensic professionals.

Danny Krystyan

How to Support Forensic Teams Through Mass Casualty Events

Danny Krystyan has nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, beginning his career in Ohio before joining the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in 2001. After serving 10 years in road patrol, he was selected to become a Crime Scene Detective, where he has worked numerous major and high-profile investigations, including the Fort Lauderdale Airport mass casualty shooting, the Surfside condominium collapse, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, where he served as the lead forensic detective for the first floor.

Throughout his career, Danny has been deeply involved in training and mentoring new crime scene investigators, teaching topics including bloodstain pattern documentation, crime scene photography, footwear and tire impression evidence, latent print processing, DNA collection, and evidence handling.

Drawing from both his professional experiences and personal journey, Danny is passionate about helping forensic professionals recognize the long-term impact of critical incidents, prioritize their well-being, and build fulfilling lives both inside and outside the profession. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and playing bass guitar in a rock and country band.

Head to the Forensic Foundations Website to Learn More!

Jan LeMay

The Weight of the Work: The Human Cost of Forensics

Jan LeMay, CLPE, CFWE, is a retired Forensic Scientist whose distinguished career spanned more than 33 years with the Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory and the Weld County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado. Throughout his career, he served as a footwear examiner, latent print examiner, crime scene investigator, and Deputy Sheriff, gaining firsthand experience with the cumulative effects of trauma across multiple forensic disciplines.

Jan served as President of the International Association for Identification (IAI) during the 2025–2026 term, following his service as President of the Rocky Mountain Division IAI. During his presidency, he made practitioner resilience and mental wellness a central focus, championing initiatives to better support forensic professionals and expand wellness resources throughout the organization.

Today, Jan continues to advocate for mental health awareness, resilience, and peer support, helping to ensure those who dedicate their careers to serving others receive the support they deserve themselves.

Head to the IAI Resiliency Resources to Learn More!

Jessica Liang

You Are Not Your Job: Reconnecting With the Person Behind the Profession

Jessica Liang, MFS, CSCSA, is the owner and lead instructor of Finer Points Forensics and an International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst with more than a decade of experience in forensic science. She began her career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a 9-1-1 dispatcher before promoting to the Crime Laboratory as a Forensic Specialist, where she specialized in crime scene processing, crime scene photography, AFIS evaluation and entry, and latent print comparisons.

Throughout her career, Jessica has investigated more than 1,000 crime scenes ranging from property crimes to death investigations and officer-involved shootings. She has also served as a Crime Scene Field Training Officer and lead photography instructor, where she discovered her passion for mentoring the next generation of forensic professionals.

Through Finer Points Forensics, Jessica provides practical, experience-based training designed to equip forensic practitioners with the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to thrive throughout their careers.

Head to the Finer Points Forensics Website to Learn More!

Dr. Kristilyn Lutt

What If Your Agency Prioritized Mental Health? A Look Inside Chandler PD’s Wellness Program

Dr. Kristilyn Lutt, CCSA, has served with the Chandler Police Department Crime Scene Unit since 2006 and currently holds the position of Crime Scene Technician Lead. Throughout her career, she has been deeply involved in developing and mentoring forensic professionals, serving as a training coordinator, field training officer, competency skills instructor, technical lead, and lecturer. In recognition of her leadership, she received the department’s Meritorious Service Award for leading a comprehensive revision of the Crime Scene Unit’s training program.

Kristilyn earned her Ph.D. from Arizona State University, where she currently serves as Associate Faculty, and is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. In addition to her academic roles, she is an ANAB Technical Assessor and an International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Analyst. Kristilyn is passionate about advancing forensic science through education, leadership, and programs that promote excellence and wellness within the profession.

Candace Matthews

The Forgotten Responders: Advocating for Mental Health Protections in Forensics

Candace Matthews is the Crime Scene Unit Manager for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and brings more than 23 years of experience in forensic science and law enforcement. A graduate of the National Forensic Academy, Candace began her career as a Crime Scene Investigator with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office before expanding her experience in forensic photography and international forensic operations.

She spent 20 months deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Department of Defense, where she processed terrorism-related cases and later trained both NATO allies and domestic personnel in forensic hazardous materials response through the University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University.

In addition to leading her agency’s Crime Scene Unit, Candace serves as the Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) Region 6 Forensic Lead and is a board member of the Florida Sheriffs Association Cold Case Committee. She is passionate about advancing forensic leadership while supporting the health, resilience, and long-term success of forensic professionals.

Dr. Jonesta Nolan

The Body Keeps the Score: Documenting the Physical Toll of Forensic Work

Dr. Jonesta Nolan, CSCSA, is a forensic scientist, educator, author, and nationally recognized speaker with more than 20 years of experience in forensic science, leadership, quality management, and professional training. An International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, she serves on the IAI Board of Directors and currently works as a Forensic Analyst with the ASPCA, supporting animal cruelty investigations nationwide through consultation, evidence processing, training, and forensic documentation.

Dr. Nolan is widely recognized for her work advancing the mental health and well-being of forensic professionals, particularly non-sworn personnel whose occupational stress and trauma are often overlooked. Her research and publications advocate for psychologically safe workplaces, informed leadership, and organizational strategies that better support practitioner wellness.

She is also the founder of Resilient Forensics LLC, where she combines technical expertise with a passion for helping agencies build healthier, more resilient forensic professionals and organizations.

Head to the Resilient Forensics Website to Learn More!

Danica Scales

Mindful Minute: A Quick Reset for the Mind & Body

Danica Scales is a forensic specialist with more than eight years of experience investigating crime scenes throughout Southern California. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Forensic Science from National University, she transitioned from biotechnology research into forensic science in 2017.

Since then, Danica has conducted hundreds of crime scene investigations, including homicides, officer-involved shootings, sexual assaults, robberies, and burglaries. In addition to her field responsibilities, she serves as a Crime Scene Field Training Officer and an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) trainer, conducting latent print comparisons and mentoring new forensic professionals.

An active member of several professional forensic organizations, Danica is passionate about integrating mindfulness, movement, and stress-management techniques into the forensic profession, helping practitioners build resilience while caring for both their minds and bodies.

Follow the CSI Yogi on Instagram!

Dr. Heidi Sievers

Inside the IAI’s Approach to Practitioner Resilience

Dr. Heidi Sievers, CCSA, CBPA, is a forensic scientist, educator, consultant, and internationally recognized expert in crime scene investigation and bloodstain pattern analysis. She holds both a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and is an International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Analyst (CCSA) and Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst (CBPA)—one of fewer than 80 individuals worldwide to hold the CBPA certification.

Heidi began her career as a Forensic Investigator and Human Remains Detection K9 Handler with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office before transitioning into higher education, where she serves as a professor, curriculum leader, and dissertation chair at multiple universities. She is the Chair of the Florida Division of the IAI Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Board and the IAI Resiliency Committee, reflecting her commitment to both technical excellence and practitioner wellness.

Through Sievers Forensics, she provides forensic consulting, expert witness testimony, and training while continuing to advocate for healthier, more resilient forensic professionals.

Head to the Sievers Forensics Website to Learn More!

Joe Torok

How to Support Forensic Teams Through Mass Casualty Events

Joe Torok is the founder of Forensic Foundations and a retired Sergeant from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where he served more than 35 years in law enforcement. Throughout his career, Joe worked in patrol, narcotics, criminal investigations, and ultimately spent more than 15 years in the Crime Scene Unit before being promoted to supervise the unit. As Sergeant, he led one of the nation’s busiest crime scene units through several major critical incidents, including the Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting, the Surfside condominium collapse, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, where he managed the crime scene response involving more than 80 local, state, and federal personnel.

Following those experiences, Joe founded the Broward County Crime Scene Coalition to improve training and preparedness for mass casualty incidents. A respected instructor and forensic expert, he has trained crime scene professionals across the United States and internationally and currently serves as a forensic expert on cold case homicide investigations for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

Joe remains passionate about preparing forensic professionals to respond effectively to critical incidents while supporting the long-term well-being of those who do the work.

Head to the Forensic Foundations Website to Learn More!

Gabrielle Wimer

When the Scene Follows You: Recognizing Triggers and Building Resilience

Gabrielle Wimer, CCSA, is a Forensic Specialist with the City of Ventura and brings more than 13 years of experience in crime scene investigation, including the past six years as a Latent Print Examiner. An International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Analyst, Gabrielle earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University and a degree in Forensic Technology from Grossmont College.

In addition to processing crime scenes and examining latent prints, she serves on the Ventura Police Department’s Peer Support Team, provides crime scene training to sworn personnel, and is an active member of both the IAI and the California State Division of the IAI (CSDIAI).

Gabrielle is also the founder and host of The Walls Do Talk, a true crime-inspired podcast, and has been recognized nationally for her role in helping solve a 35-year-old cold case homicide. She is passionate about supporting fellow forensic professionals through peer support, education, and open conversations about the realities of working in the profession.

Head to The Walls Do Talk Website to Learn More!

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