Frederick P. Smith

Frederick P. SmithProfessor, Forensic Science Department
Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences
University of New Haven
West Haven, Connecticut 06516

Frederick P. Smith was born in Pittsburgh, PA and studied forensic science at the University of Pittsburgh, earning his MS degree in forensic chemistry (1976) and PhD in analytical chemistry (1978). His dissertation topic involved the detection of drugs in blood stains, saliva, saliva stains, semen stains, sweat stains, and hair. He is a graduate of Antioch College (BA, 1974).

Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the University of New Haven in 2004. Previously at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as an assistant professor, he designed the undergraduate and graduate curricula in forensic science. He was granted tenure as an associate professor three years later. He served as the first director of the forensic science program and held the rank of full professor in the Department of Justice Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. Additional appointments include the summer research faculty at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. and scientific director of AccuTox, a National Laboratory Certification Program accredited forensic urine drug testing laboratories.

Dr. Smith is the recipient of awards and honors, including the Fulbright research scholar award, excellence in teaching awards, and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Alan Berman Research Publications Award. His research has been cited in the major print, electronic, and television media including the NYT, WSJ, CNN, CBS, ABC, and NBC. He has been invited to speak domestically and abroad. An elected fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Dr. Smith has authored or coauthored more than 100 book chapters, reports, and articles in professional journals.

Dr. Smith has served as an expert witness on a regular basis since 1982. He has assisted law enforcement and independent clients, examining forensic evidence in more than 5,000 cases and testifying more than 100 times in civil and criminal cases located in 15 different states involving federal, military, and state courts.

As a faculty member he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic science, including topics in forensic chemistry such as controlled substances, arson, and explosion analyses. Dr. Smith’s research interests include novel methods of drug testing and the interdiction of traffickers. His book, Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis was published by Elsevier/Academic Press in 2005.