Rafferty, Sara E.
srafferty@rjlg.com

Job Title:
Forensic Scientist

Degrees Earned
MS, Forensic Science and Law, Duquesne University, 2006
BA, Biochemistry, Duquesne University, 2005

Experience Level
Ms. Sara Rafferty is a forensic scientist at RJLG's headquarters laboratory in Monroeville, PA.
Her areas of expertise include trace evidence (specifically GSR) and materials analysis. She has received specialized training in SEM/EDS analysis, Raman analysis, Daubert Admissibility/Expert Witness Testimony and Hazardous Materials Handling. In addition, she has received training with latent fingerprints including processing, comparisons, post-mortem collection and automated searching (AFIS), as well as evidence collection and crime scene preservation. She has obtained working knowledge of various presumptive tests, investigative techniques and forensic laboratory instrumentation, including GC-MS, GC-FID and FTIR-ATR.

Prior to her position with the criminal forensic department, Sara worked at RJLG's Waynesburg, PA facility, where she was responsible for the preparation, interpretation and reporting of automated Raman data. She also assisted in the implementation and organization of the new laboratory facilities in Waynesburg (Evergreene Technology Center and Waynesburg University). 

Sara has also worked with the corporate quality assurance (QA) department. As a QA analyst, her main responsibilities included the quality maintenance and the continued organization of GMP compliant laboratory environments, as applied to the biomedical/pharmaceutical group. She also performed quality reviews of the pharmaceutical department's data reporting.

Sara began at RJLG as an analyst in the pharmaceutical department. Here, she was responsible for the daily operation of various instrumental analyses including Raman Spectroscopy (confocal and automated), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microspectrophotometry. She also participated in database management, as applied to the RJLG's Raman systems.

Sara is a member of Phi Sigma Lambda Professional Forensic Fraternity (Duquesne University), the International Association for Identification (IAI) and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS). 

Location(s)
Pennsylvania - Headquarters (RJ LeeGroup, Inc.)

Related Services
Criminal Forensics