Research in Forensic Science
The Forensic Science program supports interdisciplinary and applied research that advances forensic practice, scientific understanding, and the justice system. Faculty-led research spans laboratory-based experimentation, field applications, method validation, and policy-relevant forensic inquiry. Students are actively involved at the undergraduate and graduate levels through mentored research and independent projects.
Forensic Decomposition and Biological Evidence Research Laboratory (The BioEvidence Lab)
Principal Investigator (PI)
Dr. Lavinia Iancu - Associate Professor of Forensic Science, Forensic Science Program Director
Research Focus
Dr. Iancu’s research addresses critical challenges in forensic science related to human decomposition and postmortem interval (PMI) estimation, with a particular emphasis on cold and extreme environments. Her work integrates forensic entomology, microbiology, and toxicology to improve the scientific reliability of medicolegal investigations, especially in northern climates.
Current & Ongoing Research Projects
Dr. Iancu’s research program includes five interconnected research areas:
- Succession patterns of necrophagous insects and associated microbiomes
- Necrobiome dynamics and vertebrate scavenging under extreme winter conditions
- Effects of benzodiazepines on blow fly development and microbiome diversity
- Characterization of the human necrobiome during decomposition
- Modeling winter decomposition processes to improve PMI estimation
Collectively, these projects advance forensic methodologies and provide critical insights for death investigations in cold-weather regions.
Student Research & Mentorship
Research is central to Dr. Iancu’s teaching philosophy. She integrates active research into all of her courses and mentors’ students through course-based research, independent studies, capstone projects, and conference presentations. Her students regularly present at the College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Showcase for student research and co-author peer-reviewed publications.
In 2025, Dr. Iancu’s undergraduate research group earned Third Place at the EPSCoR State Conference Poster Competition, demonstrating the competitiveness of UND forensic student research at the state level.
Research Group Members
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Research Thesis Topic: Touch microbiome analysis and its application to forensic investigations.
This research explores the human touch microbiome and its potential utility in forensic investigations, focusing on microbial transfer, persistence, and individual variability to support trace evidence interpretation.
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Research Thesis Topic: Touch DNA degradation over time and its implications for forensic investigations.
This research examines the degradation and persistence of touch DNA over time, evaluating environmental and handling factors that influence DNA quality and interpretability in forensic investigations.
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Research Thesis Topic: Touch DNA persistence on textile substrates in aquatic environments.
This research investigates the persistence and degratation of touch DNA on textile materials exposed to aquatic environments, with implications for evidence recovery and interpretation in water-related forensic investigations.
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Research Topic: Optimizing latent fingerprint lifting from painted surfaces.
This research examines and optimizes methods for lifting latent fingerprints from painted surfaces, focusing on surface texture, paint type, and recovery efficiency to enhance forensic fingerprint analysis.
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Research Topics: Decomposition studies, forensic entomotoxicology research.
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Research Topics: Decomposition studies, Forensic entomotoxicology research.
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Research Topics: Forensic entomotoxicology research.
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Research Topics: Forensic entomotoxicology research.
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Research Topics: Forensic entomotoxicology research.
Scholarly Output & International Research Dissemination
Research conducted in the BioEvidence Lab is published in peer‑reviewed scientific journals and presented at national and international forensic science conferences, including AAFS and EAFE. Undergraduate students are frequently involved as co‑authors and presenters, reflecting the lab’s strong emphasis on mentored research and professional development.
Interested in Forensic Research?
Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Iancu to explore research opportunities in forensic entomology, microbiology, and taphonomy.