Amanda Brechtel
Fresno,TX
Summary
Resourceful Crime Scene Investigator with eight years of crime scene experience. Adept at using various equipment to collect, preserve and inspect evidence. Observant, dependable and skillful in coping with complex situations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Crime Scene Investigator
Pearland Police Department
02.2022 - Current
- Enhanced evidence collection by implementing meticulous crime scene documentation and photography techniques.
- Prevented evidence contamination by maintaining proper chain of custody and utilizing proper packaging techniques.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Prepared demonstrative aides to be used at evidentiary hearings and trials.
- Championed best practices for property management.
- Enhanced property accountability by conducting thorough inventory inspections and audits.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive documentation of property transfers, acquisitions, and disposals for audit purposes.
- Established strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies, facilitating seamless collaboration on complex cases.
- Mentored new forensic specialists, sharing valuable experience and insights to help them excel in their roles.
Forensic Specialist
Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office
12.2018 - 11.2021
- Enhanced evidence collection by implementing meticulous crime scene documentation and photography techniques.
- Prevented evidence contamination by maintaining proper chain of custody and utilizing proper packaging techniques.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Prepared demonstrative aides to be used at evidentiary hearings and trials.
- Championed best practices for property management.
- Enhanced property accountability by conducting thorough inventory inspections and audits.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive documentation of property transfers, acquisitions, and disposals for audit purposes.
- Analysis of narcotic samples for THC & CBD concentrations via C-Vue liquid chromatogram
- Established strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies, facilitating seamless collaboration on complex cases.
- Mentored new forensic specialists, sharing valuable experience and insights to help them excel in their roles.
Adjunct Professor
Howard Community College
01.2017 - 11.2021
- Teaching 'Criminal Investigations' course and it’s associated laboratory exercises
Identification Technician
Big Spring Police Department
05.2016 - 12.2018
- Enhanced evidence collection by implementing meticulous crime scene documentation and photography techniques.
- Prevented evidence contamination by maintaining proper chain of custody and utilizing proper packaging techniques.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Prepared demonstrative aides to be used at evidentiary hearings and trials.
- Championed best practices for property management.
- Enhanced property accountability by conducting thorough inventory inspections and audits.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive documentation of property transfers, acquisitions, and disposals for audit purposes.
- Established strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies, facilitating seamless collaboration on complex cases.
Molecular Technologist
Applied Diagnostics
05.2015 - 05.2016
- Extract RNA or DNA from patient samples to test for genetic mutations
- Maintained a safe and clean laboratory environment by following strict safety guidelines and good lab practices.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements through meticulous record keeping and documentation practices.
Graduate Assistant for the Drug Recognition Experts
Sam Houston State University
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed administrative tasks such as grading, scheduling, and record-keeping to ensure smooth operations within the DRE department.
Full-time Summer Intern
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Assisted in conducting an internal validation of GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit
- Gathered and presented results from the validation studies
- Volunteered with the trace evidence team to collect evidence off decedents at crime scenes and the morgue
Education
Masters of Science -
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX01.2015
Bachelors of Science -
Baylor University
01.2013
High School Diploma -
Kingwood High School
01.2009
Skills
- Team collaboration
- Crime scene photography
- Evidence collection & analysis
- Contamination prevention
- Evidence preservation
- Investigative reports
- Court testifying
- Microsoft Office products
- Oral presentations
- Ethics
Continuing Education
- TCIC Practitioner & CJIS Security Awareness, Ongoing
- IAPE Advanced Concepts in Evidence Management, 2024
- Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst & Certified Operator, 2024
- TriTech Shooting Incident Reconstruction, 2023
- TriTech Advanced Crime Scene Reconstruction, 2022
- TriTech Advanced Crime Scene Photography, 2022
- TxFACT Death Investigation & Crime Scene Reconstruction, 2022
- Ron Smith Intro to Friction Ridge Examination, 2022
- IAPE Managing Property & Evidence, 2021
- TEEX Death Investigation, 2020
- TEEX Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, 2019
- TCOLE Intermediate Crime Scene Search, 2016
- TEEX Basic Property Technician, 2016
- TEEX Forensic Photography I, 2016
- Bloodborne Pathogens: Exposure in the Workplace, 2009
Affiliations
- International Association for Identification (IAI)
- International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE)
- Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT)
Publications & Presentations
- Presentation of the internal validation done at HCIFS – Forensic Genetics lab internship
- Presentation of MSFS second year research project for defense purposes
- Publication of MSFS second year research project paper in the International Journal of Legal Medicine
- Presentation of MSFS second year research project at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) February 2016
Accomplishments
- Awarded "Civilian of the Year" in for Pearland Police Department (2023)
- Awarded “Trademark Women of Distinction” for Texas after being nominated by Lieutenant at Tom Green Sheriff’s Office (2021)
- Awarded “Civilian of the Year” and “Female Employee of the Year” for Big Spring Police Department (2018)
Research
- Comparison of DNA Yield & STR Success Rates from Different Tissues in Embalmed Bodies: MSFS Second Year Research Project. Dissected embalmed cadavers for research samples. Worked at Sam Houston State University’s Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility. Conducted semi-guided research. Kept track of daily activities with a lab journal and excel files for data processing
- Evaluation of Burnt Remains: MSFS Side Project. Guided undergraduate forensic students in the lab. Collected burnt bones from cremated remains. Kept track of daily activities with a lab journal and excel files for data
Certification
Certified Crime Scene Investigator (IAI)
Timeline
Crime Scene Investigator
Pearland Police Department
02.2022 - Current
Forensic Specialist
Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office
12.2018 - 11.2021
Adjunct Professor
Howard Community College
01.2017 - 11.2021
Identification Technician
Big Spring Police Department
05.2016 - 12.2018
Molecular Technologist
Applied Diagnostics
05.2015 - 05.2016
Graduate Assistant for the Drug Recognition Experts
Sam Houston State University
01.2014 - 01.2015
Full-time Summer Intern
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
01.2014 - 12.2014
Masters of Science -
Sam Houston State University
Bachelors of Science -
Baylor University
High School Diploma -
Kingwood High School
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