Maricopa County Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Laura Fulginiti will be sworn in as the the new President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences at their annual conference this February. During Dr. Fulginiti’s 30-year career with the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, she has consulted on thousands of unidentified decedent cases. She has also provided identification support for several mass casualty events such as Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Her expertise includes scene recovery, assessment of unknown decedents to provide a biological profile, scientific identification, bone trauma and pathology, expert testimony, and acting as a subject matter expert for mass fatality emergency preparedness.
The great thing about working in Maricopa County is the variety. We have so many different kinds of people. The county is huge, so we are responsible for a tremendous amount of territory”, said Dr. Fulginiti. “The best part of that is I have a very high case load compared to my colleagues so I get to see a lot of different kinds of cases. I get to help a lot of different people. It’s the best.”
Click here to hear about Dr. Fulginiti's most interesting cases while working at Maricopa County.
In addition to her career with Maricopa County, Dr. Fulginiti has served the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in leadership positions for over a decade. She focused her efforts on developing membership by proposing a new membership category, the Professional affiliate. This status will allow professionals who have worked in supporting forensic science roles nationally and internationally to join the Academy.
These individuals can apply for that status and be part of our academy. That is going to increase our diversity. It is going to increase our complexity. We are going to get a whole influx of ideas and new blood. I think it is going to be very invigorating for the academy. I am really proud of that,” said Dr. Fulginiti.
Click here to hear about Dr. Fulginiti's goals as the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.