Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists

Allison Laneve: President Elect: Allison M. Laneve began her career at RJ Lee Group in 2002 as an analyst in the Materials and Environmental Department. After earning her Master's degree in Forensic Science and Law from Duquesne University, she transitioned to the company’s Forensics department as a forensic scientist. In this role, she became an expert in primer gunshot residue (GSR) analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Over the years, Allison advanced to become the manager of the department, a position she held for 10 years before taking on the role of Client Relations Manager in 2021.

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As a gunshot residue expert, Allison has analyzed hundreds of cases and provided expert testimony in over 150 cases across federal, state, and county courts. She is recognized as an expert in GSR in more than twenty U.S. states, Washington D.C., and the countries of Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Duquesne University, teaching courses in trace evidence and arson & explosives.

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Allison's involvement with MAAFS has been a significant aspect of her career. She served as Chair of the Meeting Planning Committee from 2010 to 2020, leading efforts to organize the yearly educational conference, and she remains an active member of the organization.

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Brandi Iorio: President Elect: Brandi Iorio currently works as a Forensic Scientist in the Forensic Biology Section at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Central Laboratory in Richmond, VA, where she has worked for over 6 years. In addition to her casework duties, she also assists in the identification of unidentified human remains and serves as the pipette coordinator, in which she coordinates the calibration of pipettes at the Central Laboratory. She also assists in various aspects of training for new staff in the Forensic Biology section. Currently, she also serves as an adjunct instructor for a Forensic Serology course at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

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Brandi obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2015. She then went on to receive her Master of Forensic Science degree in Forensic Molecular Biology from the George Washington University in 2018. During her graduate studies, she worked for SNA International and conducted research focused on a cost-benefit analysis of kinship testing involving full siblings and half siblings. She presented on this research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), at the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), and for an online webinar for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Technology Center for Excellence. She also worked as a Staff Assistant at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences, where she implemented and maintained an online database for the tracking of Physical Evidence Recovery Kits (PERKs). In 2023, she also authored a chapter in the Methods in Molecular Biology book on Forensic DNA Analysis. 

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Brandi is currently an Associate Member of AAFS, having started in that organization as a Trainee Affiliate in 2020. She has been a member of MAAFS since 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2023 MAAFS Meeting and workshops. Most of all, she appreciated the time spent with other MAAFS members and scientists who share so much expertise, skill, and passion for this field. She is appreciative of all of her past instructors, supervisors, and fellow examiners who have provided her with the knowledge, guidance, and confidence to succeed in this career path. She looks forward to the possibility of greater involvement in the MAAFS organization and hopes to contribute her enthusiasm, effort, and ideas as the next President Elect.

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Susan Blankenship: Treasurer:  Hello MAAFS members. After spending the prior 7 years as your Treasurer, I am running again for the position. 

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I spent 19 years as the MAAFS representative to the ABC Board, with February 2020 being my last meeting, as I was term-limited out. While on the ABC Board, I have spent the 16 years as the ABC Treasurer, so I have other experience with the duties of treasurer for a non-profit organization. I have also taken multiple accounting classes, so I understand double entry account procedures as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 

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As for my past service to MAAFS, I attended my first meeting in 1992 and have been a member since 1993. I became a distinguished member in the early 2000’s. Since 1992 I have only missed 3 meetings: Virginia Beach 1994 when I could not get permission to go, Pittsburg 2005 when I was 2 weeks away from giving birth, and Virginia Beach 2011 due to the death of my father-in-law. I co-chaired the MAAFS meeting held in Frederick, MD in 2002, was a Member at Large in 1997 and 1998, Chair of the Membership Credentials Review Committee from 1999 to 2003, and the first ever Criminalistics Section Chair from 2008-2009. And, of course, I have spent the past 7 years as Treasurer, following in the footsteps of the great Richard Gervasoni! Last, if you or your agency has paid your dues this year, you have seen my latest effort on behalf of MAAFS, the yearly Membership Certificate! 

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In my professional life, I am currently a Collegiate Professor for the Investigative Forensics program at the University of Maryland Global Campus, trying to teach students the reality of forensic science. Prior to that I spent 16 years as a bench level chemist in CDS analysis at the DEA and the Hagerstown Police Department (HPD). While at HPD I also got to conduct crime scene investigations and perform multiple preliminary tests on evidence prior to sending that evidence off to the MSP Lab. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Mary Washington College, a master’s in forensic science from George Washington University, and a Doctorate in Management from UMUC. I have been certified in General Criminalistics by the ABC since 1999. Last but not least, I am married with a son who is a sophomore (Cadet Third Class) at the US Air Force Academy. 

 

Jonathan Forsberg: Biology Chair Elect: Jonathan Forsberg is a Forensic Scientist Senior in the Forensic Biology Section at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (Central Laboratory) in Richmond, VA, where he has been employed for the last 7 years. He was previously employed at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for 4 years in their DNA section. He currently serves as QA/QC coordinator for the Central Laboratory’s Forensic Biology section, has been involved in multiple internal audits, and regularly assists with various aspects of training for new examiners.

 

During his time in Ohio, he was involved in a pilot program to 4th grade students aimed at increasing Forensic Science awareness and interest through hands-on exercises. In 2017, Jonathan was awarded the Ohio Attorney General’s All-Staff “Teamwork” award. In the fall of 2023, Jonathan taught his first semester of undergraduate Forensic Serology at Virginia Commonwealth University, which he has gone on to teach for 3 semesters. Also in 2023, he had the opportunity to contribute a chapter on the differential extraction method in the Methods in Molecular Biology series’ book on Forensic DNA Analysis.

 

Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cedarville University in 2013. In 2021, Jonathan obtained certifications from the American Board of Criminalistics in both Biological Evidence Screening and Forensic DNA. He is also looking forward to completing his M.S. through the University of Florida later this year.

 

Jonathan has been an associate member of AAFS since 2019 and was promoted to regular membership during this year’s AAFS meeting. He joined MAAFS in 2022. He had a great experience at the 2022 MAAFS Meeting, where he appreciated not only the meeting content and valuable time with other MAAFS members, scientists, and educators, but also the opportunity to bring home the title of MAAFS 2022 Cornhole Champion (with his teammate, of course)—a title he hopes to reclaim at this year’s meeting. Jonathan is currently serving on the MAAFS training/education committee, which seeks to identify additional valuable training opportunities to offer to MAAFS members.

 

Jonathan is incredibly grateful to all of those who have provided him opportunities in the field of Forensic Biology and to all the examiners who have helped train him, shape his case approach, and continue to have a positive impact on his casework. He is also grateful for the training opportunities provided by various organizations, including MAAFS, which help equip scientists to understand and effectively perform their duties while preparing for future advancements in the field. He looks forward to the opportunity for further involvement in MAAFS as Biology Section Chair Elect to serve MAAFS members while helping to identify quality presentations and additional content that will help continue and grow the MAAFS’ impact.

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Rich Meyers: Chemistry Chair Elect: Rich Meyers is a retired associate laboratory director of DEA’s Special Testing and Research Laboratory (STRL). There he led the research efforts and the administrative operations of the laboratory. Prior to that he served in DEA’s Office of Forensic Sciences as a science advisor, as the laboratory system’s quality assurance manager for 10 years, chief of the Laboratory Support Section for 4 years, and program manager of the data systems for 1 year. Rich began his career in 1987 at STRL as a chemist in the Drug Ballistics Program, moved to the chemistry section where he focused on analyzing drug exhibits for intelligence programs, then was promoted to supervisory chemist.

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Rich earned his MSFS from The George Washington University, and his BA in chemistry from Messiah College.

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He previously served MAAFS as member-at-large in 2000 and 2001, and then as president in 2004. He continues to serve on the Bylaws Committee. He is pleased to serve as Chemistry Section Chair.

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Stephen Hokanson: Chemistry Chair Elect: Stephen Hokanson has served as a Forensic Scientist in the Controlled Substances Section of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VADFS) since 2007. Stephen graduated from West Virginia University in May 2006 earning a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Identification Science and Chemistry. During that time, he volunteered for two years as an autopsy assistant at West Virginia University Hospitals morgue under the Chief Medical Examiner and worked as a laboratory technician in the Pathology Department. He then completed a three-month summer internship in Forensic Toxicology with the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio before starting his official training in Forensic Drug Analysis with the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science & Medicine. At VADFS, Stephen has completed specific training in the analysis of Clandestine Laboratory evidence and serves as an instrument operator of the section’s Spectral Analysis DiscovIR-GC instrument. Stephen has been a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists since 2009 and to MAAFS since 2012. In 2013, he obtained his professional certification in Drug Analysis from the American Board of Criminalistics. In August 2025, Stephen anticipates completing his Master of Science degree in Forensic Drug Chemistry from the University of Florida.

 

Stephen very much enjoys being a member of MAAFS and learning and networking with colleagues. Since joining, he has attended annual meetings in 2012 (as a presenter), 2013, 2016, 2019, and this year in 2025! By serving on the MAAFS Board of Directors, Stephen feels it is a great opportunity to help guide our regional professional organization and give back to the forensic community that has provided so much to him.

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Ashley Stein: Physical Evidence Chair Elect: Ashley began her career at RJ Lee Group as a forensic scientist in 2023, after earning her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. At the university, she undertook a yearlong project utilizing gas chromatography to detect ignitable liquids in arson investigations. She researched the instrumentation and procedures for these investigations by collaborating with the local volunteer fire department and a local fire investigator.

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As an expert in primer gunshot residue (GSR) analysis through the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Ashley has analyzed over 100 GSR cases. She is recognized as an expert witness in Maryland.

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Although Ashley is a recent member of MAAFS, having joined in 2024, she has already made valuable contributions behind the scenes by assisting her colleagues at RJ Lee Group, who are part of the Meeting Planning Committee. Ashley is enthusiastic about growing within MAAFS, eager to take on more responsibilities, and looks forward to contributing more directly to the organization and the forensics community.