We are excited to spotlight Michelle Madrid, a distinguished member of the ISHI Advisory Committee and a Senior Criminalist at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. With over 18 years of experience in forensic biology, Michelle has been pivotal in shaping the practices and procedures that uphold the integrity of forensic science today.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and a Master of Science in Criminalistics, credentials that underscore her deep expertise in the field. As the DNA Technical Leader for her department, she has been instrumental in training her colleagues, evaluating new forensic methods, and validating these techniques to ensure they meet rigorous scientific standards.
Her role extends beyond the lab; Michelle is a certified member of the American Board of Criminalistics in Molecular Biology and actively participates in crime scene investigations, where she assists in collecting vital biological and trace evidence from complex scenes like homicides and assaults. Her commitment to forensic science is also evident in her contributions to the Expert Working Group on Human Factors in Forensic DNA Interpretation, where she helped assess and recommend improvements for forensic DNA examinations to minimize errors.
Furthermore, Michelle serves on the Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) and holds the position of Executive Secretary. She is also a valued member of the American Board of Criminalistics Examination Committee, where she contributes to shaping the standards for certification in the field.
When not delving into forensic cases or advancing the field of forensic science, Michelle enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Her passion for hiking, camping, and traveling to faraway places reflects her adventurous spirit and love for nature.
To bring Michelle’s insights and experiences closer to our community, we are sharing a series of video interviews where she discusses her professional journey, key milestones in forensic DNA technology, and her experiences at ISHI. Join us at the next ISHI conference to connect with experts like Michelle and explore the latest developments in forensic DNA analysis.
