Get Clued In: The Importance Of Forensic Science In Mystery Writing

Elaine Pagliaro, currently a member of the staff at the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science, will discuss the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations, as well as evidence collection and documentation, at “Get Clued In: A Lecture Series for Mystery Writers.” Designed for writers of all ages and with any level of experience, the series will offer its next program on May 24, at 7:30 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

Ms Pagliaro is retired from the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division of Scientific Services, Forensic Science Laboratory, where she was acting director and worked in criminalistics and forensic biology for almost 30 years. During that time, Ms. Pagliaro was involved in most of the major criminal investigations in Connecticut and in cases of national prominence, such as the Penney Serra and Martha Moxley murders, the Michael Ross serial murders, the investigation of the death of Vincent Foster, and the infamous “Woodchipper Murder” case that came from the homicide of Newtown resident Helle Crafts.

She has qualified as an expert witness in the areas of forensic biochemistry, forensic DNA analysis, hair examination, and crime scene reconstruction in Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Louisiana and in federal courts.

Ms Pagliaro is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Science, a member of several other professional organizations, and serves on the Connecticut Commission for the Standardization of the Collection of Sexual Assault Evidence. She has authored numerous publications on forensic science for professional journals and has presented at national and international symposia. A recent book, Forensic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice, which she co-edited with Drs Rita Hammer and Barbara Moynihan, received a best advanced practice book award from the American Journal of Nursing. Her most recent publication, written with Dr Henry Lee and Katherine Ramsland, is entitled The Real World of the Forensic Scientist.

The three-part lecture series for writers will conclude on June 7 with Newtown Police Detective Dan McAnaspie speaking about police procedure for crimes handled by local police as well as those that require collaboration between local and state police.

Refreshments are served following each presentation.

Registration is requested and can be done online at CHBoothLibrary.org or by calling 203-426-4533.