Digital Commons Network^™

Mediating Role Of Defense Mechanisms Between Parenting Styles And The Development Of Pathological Narcissism, Jared C. Cordero

Student Theses

The present study examines the relationship between perceived parental styles, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, and defense mechanisms with the aim of replicating the Imamgolu & Batigun (2020) research findings. A cross-sectional design was used. Covariates such as sex, age, parental dynamics in youth, and household dynamics in youth. To do this, 150 participants between the ages of 18-65 and residing in the United States were recruited via Prolific. Regarding sex, 66.7% of the participants were female, 32.7% were male, and 0.7% were intersex. Upon recruitment, participants completed a battery consisting of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, Perceived Parental …

Machine Learning And Crime Prevention, Emily Lizewski

Student Theses

Predictive policing uses machine learning to analyze crime patterns and help law enforcement better efficient use their resources. These tools can improve accuracy by highlighting complex trends in large sets of data. While this technology has its advantages, it also raises important ethical and social questions. Within this paper we looks at how predictive policing works, focusing on the machine learning models often used such as decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting, and models that factor in both time and location. It also explores how these tools might unintentionally reinforce biases already present in historical crime data. In reviewing the …

The Impact Of Mental Health Courts On Public Attitudes Held Toward Justice-Involved Individuals With Mental Illness, Maeve Porter

Student Theses

Prior research has established that mental health court programs play an important role in reducing recidivism and mental health symptoms of defendants. However, there is a lack of understanding of the stigma that justice-involved individuals may encounter upon release from mental health court into the community, and the extent to which the general public is aware of mental health court programs. The present study sought to address public perceptions regarding mental health courts, their efficacy, and their participants based on the awareness and availability of these specialized courts in two similar states (New York and New Jersey), one in which …

Effects Of Rapid Shearing Depending On Environmental Factors: Acrylic, Modacrylic, And Polypropylene Fibers, Charles K. Jin

Student Theses

Textiles can often be found damaged in forensic casework, and analysis of these defects can yield valuable information. Different methods of fiber fracture leave behind varying alterations in structure on individual fiber ends, leading to their possible identification and connection to a case. Interactions between high-speed impacts and synthetic fabrics composed of thermoplastic fibers are classified as rapid shear or high-speed tensile breaks. In these situations, unique fiber end characteristics can form due to excessive heat generation that is unable to dissipate quickly enough to prevent fiber end morphology from changing.

This study aimed to explore how different external conditions …

Implementation Of A Forensic Ancestry Inference Indel Panel, Jacqueline Molina

Student Theses

Ancestry-informative markers (AIMs) are genetic variants that exhibit significant frequency differences between populations, making them valuable tools for inferring biogeographical ancestry in forensic investigations. Insertion/deletion polymorphisms (INDELs) offer particular advantages for degraded forensic samples due to their short amplicon sizes and binary allelic nature. As forensic laboratories adopt newer instrumentation, validation of established assays becomes critical to ensure analytical continuity and reliability. This study evaluated the comparative performance of the SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer in detecting a 46 AIMs INDEL multiplex panel, previously established with the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Four commercial blood samples were analyzed using both platforms to assess …

Indirect Dna Transfer To Duct Tape Rolls Stored In Cars, Yuching Chung

Student Theses

This project investigated the accumulation of DNA on duct tape rolls stored in cars. Specifically, we analyzed samples recovered from three areas (the inside, outside, and flat sides) of unused duct tape stored under the driver's seat and trunk of cars for seven days. Twelve volunteers were recruited, resulting in 64 DNA samples from 12 cars. We evaluated DNA quantities and STR genotyping outcomes after amplification with the GlobalFiler™ kit. On average, the DNA yields from under the driver's seat were higher than from the trunk, but the difference was not significant. The inside of the tape roll yielded significantly …

Exploring Variability Of The Cg18562578 Methylquant Assay For The Forensic Discrimination Of Monozygotic Twins, Sydney E. Arnold

Student Theses

Monozygotic (MZ) twins possess identical DNA sequences, posing a problem for forensic scientists, as they are incapable of distinguishing MZ twins from each other using traditional DNA identification methods. However, the epigenomes of MZ twins will differ and might be used for their forensic discrimination. Here, we explored the variability of an assay previously developed by our laboratory that showed high discrimination potential for MZ twins using buccal swab DNA, cg18562578 MethylQuant. We measured precision at each step: bisulfite conversion, nested PCR, and qPCR, reproducibility, and repeatability. DNA methylation ratios were compared between two analysts carrying each step using the …

Internet Of Things And Modern Digital Evidence Collection, Muhammad T. Haider

Student Theses

The ever-evolving landscape of technology and its innovations are populating our houses, streets and all kinds of industries. The use of smart devices is booming from most developed nations to underdeveloped countries. The complications which come with the use of the Internet of Things has been an active discussion for the past many years. If we look around in a room of 30 people, we will most likely find double the amount of IoT devices than the people in that room. All of those devices are connected to the Internet, and are communicating with data servers across the world. The …

Cg18562578 Methylquant Assay For The Discrimination Of Monozygotic Twins, Amber P. Chauca

Student Theses

Monozygotic (MZ) twins have identical DNA, making traditional profiling methods insufficient in their discrimination. However, MZ twins can be differentiated by their levels of DNA methylation. Our research group previously developed a methodology to detect cg18562578 DNA methylation levels in MZ twins based on a two- step PCR approach and a cg18562578 MethylQuant Assay. That study generated data for only 64% of the samples it investigated, and showed a discrimination power of 77% to discriminate between MZ twins. Here, we used the same methodology but a different approach to determine DNA methylation in 73 previously unsuccessful twin pairs. We diluted …

Further Investigation Of Environmental Factors On Rapid Shear In Fibers Of A Polyester-Cotton Blend, Daniel K. Oh

Student Theses

Rapid shear is a process that occurs in thermoplastic materials when they interact with a high-velocity impact. In forensics, these interactions would typically be from a bullet interacting with clothing that consisted of synthetic fibers. When the interaction occurs, bulb-like shapes appear on damaged fiber ends, distinguishing them from other kinds of damage. The reason why these shapes occur is varied, but one prevailing factor seems to be the heat generated by the impact.

In prior experiments, the factor of temperature being important to the formation of the phenomenon, different environmental simulations that affected the sample’s temperature were done on …

Bystanders Intervening During Acts Of Cyberbullying: Examining The Moderating Influence Of “Likes” And Pleas For Help, Joseph Kallman

Student Theses

Abstract

Cyberbullying research has only recently begun exploring “cyberstanders,” also known as bystanders, and their role in cyberbullying, as well as testing the bystander effect (Barlinska et al., 2013; Machackova et al., 2013; Obermaier et al., 2016; Shultz et al., 2014). In the current study, we aim to deepen our understanding of the bystander effect by manipulating the number of likes, which will indicate the number of bystanders present and the plea for help on social media via Twitter among college students, by examining how participants respond to fictitious cyberbullying incidents. The results of this study did not support our …

Exploring Adversarial Threats To Neuralhash: A Perceptual Hashing Algorithm, Gurleen Kaur

Student Theses

Perceptual hashing algorithms are algorithms that generate content-based image hashes by extracting perceptual features from the images. Unlike cryptographic hashes, which exhibit significant changes with even slight input alterations, perceptual hashes do not change when modifications like compression, color correction and brightness are applied to the images. These hashes are designed to remain similar for inputs that are visually or perceptually alike, which has led to their widespread application in detecting duplicate images, finding similar images for reverse image search and to detecting inappropriate content of Child sexual abuse (CSAM) images by comparing image hashes with dataset of known perceptual …

Characterization Of Dna Background On Duct Tape Stored In Domestic Environments, Elaan A. Lukasiewicz

Student Theses

With lower detection limits for forensic DNA analysis, it is important to have a better understanding of background DNA levels unrelated to the crime to facilitate accurate data interpretation. Duct tape is used in crimes, e.g. to bind victims and seal drug packaging, and may be tested for DNA. To determine DNA background levels, twelve volunteers were recruited to donate a used roll of duct tape from their home. The duct tape was divided into three areas: inside, outside, and sides of the roll, and swabbed for DNA. The average concentration of DNA was determined for the inside (0.0723 ng/µL …

Str Analysis Performance Comparison For Two Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments: The Seqstudio And The 3500 Genetic Analyzers, Yana Leichyk

Student Theses

This study compares the performance of two capillary electrophoresis instruments—the SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer and the 3500™ Genetic Analyzer—for forensic short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Using the GlobalFiler STR kit and certified reference material (SRM 2391d), five key performance metrics were evaluated: sizing precision, signal reproducibility, detection sensitivity, mixture resolution, and overload tolerance. STR profiles were generated from single-source and mixture samples with DNA inputs ranging from 500 pg to 15.6 pg. Both instruments met the < 0.15 bp sizing precision requirement for forensic casework. Signal reproducibility tests showed that the SeqStudio often produced higher average RFU values, but with greater variability, while the 3500 demonstrated more stable signal performance across days and samples. Mixture detection was effective on both platforms up to 1:10 ratios. Dropout of minor alleles began to appear at 1:20 ratios, especially in green and yellow dye channels, on both instruments. Sensitivity studies confirmed full profile recovery down to 62.5 pg, with increasing allelic and locus dropout at lower inputs. Enhanced injection voltage (1.5 kV) did not improve low-template performance. In overload testing (1–5 ng input), the 3500 maintained a consistent signal output, while the SeqStudio exhibited signal suppression at 5 ng, likely due to internal normalization. The SeqStudio exhibited better spectral overlap compensation, with fewer occurrences of spectral bleed-through artifacts. These findings support the use of both platforms in forensic casework, while emphasizing the importance of platform-specific calibration and analytical threshold settings for optimal performance.

Punitive Desire, Belief In Redeemability, And Support For Rehabilitation: A Comparison Of Victimized And Non-Victimized Individuals' Attitudes Toward Criminal Offenders, Caleb Linder

Student Theses

This study examined the attitudes of victimized and non-victimized individuals toward criminal offenders, investigating whether the supportive attitudes observed in Spoo et al. (2018) extend beyond sexual offenses to other types of crime. The study also explored how the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim (family member vs. stranger) and participants’ previous exposure to the justice system influenced their perceptions of offenders. Contrary to our hypothesis, punitive attitudes did not differ between participants with a history of victimization and those without. Additionally, there was no significant difference in punitive attitudes toward stranger offenders compared to offenders known to the victim. Furthermore, …

Non-Destructive Dry Vacuum Recovery Of Dna From Fabric, Emily Sam-Zee-Moi

Student Theses

Trace DNA has proved to be a reliable forensic tool when investigating crimes. Current methods of trace DNA recovery from fabric include cutting, swabbing, scraping, and tape lifting. A dry vacuum collection method originally developed for paper evidence is an alternative nondestructive option for DNA collection from fabric. This research evaluated the success of the dry vacuum technique on pieces of cotton fabric that had been briefly touched as well as the effectiveness of different moistening agents and filters. The samples were designed to simulate an assault with the suspect grabbing the clothing of their victim. Volunteers created samples by …

The Effect Of Bullet Morphology And Intermediate Targets On Bullet Path, Natalia Aguilar

Student Theses

A key feature of shooting reconstruction is trajectory analysis. There are several different methods of assessing this from the bullet impact mark including: best-fit ellipse, lead-in, trajectory rod, 3D laser scanning, and machine learning. While these function in differently, many share a common fault. Few trajectory analysis techniques evaluate the difference in bullet path for bullet morphology. This raises the question: does the morphology of a bullet influence its degree of deviation when interacting with a target material? This study investigates the difference in bullet trajectories through drywall for 9mm full metal jacket (FMJ) and jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition …

A Seat At The Schoolhouse Table: Reimagining Education Through Afrofuturist And Womanist Theory, Natasha M. Capers

Student Theses

“A Seat at the Schoolhouse Table: Reimagining Education Through Afrofuturist and Womanist Theory” critically examines how curriculum, even when well-intentioned, can perpetuate harm by excluding the lived experiences of marginalized communities—especially Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ students. Using a real middle school immigration assignment given to the author's son as a case study, this capstone deconstructs the structural biases embedded in curriculum design and proposes a radical reimagining through the liberatory lenses of Afrofuturism and Womanism. Blending scholarly inquiry, personal narrative, and community-based interviews, this project offers a restructured assignment that centers joy, identity, and speculative storytelling as tools for educational …

Dna Extraction And Species Determination Of Historic Museum Pelt Samples, Selin Ates

Student Theses

The identity of the fur covering the sculpture named Object in the Museum of Modern Art has remained a mystery since its creation in 1936 by Meret Oppenheim. DNA testing can possibly provide an answer, but to preserve the integrity of the sculpture, only a very small piece of the fur can be sampled. Prior to testing Object, testing using museum samples was performed to determine whether DNA of a sufficient quantity and quality can be extracted and sequenced. Several DNA extraction and sample washing methods were tested to examine the effects on the DNA of museum pelts aged …

Quick And Easy Method For The Determination Of Cocaine And Six Metabolites In Postmortem Hair, Samantha C. Mulkeen

Student Theses

Hair testing is increasing in popularity in toxicology because of its long window of detection and ease of collection and sample storage. However, it has its limitations largely due to external contamination of drugs. In particular, cocaine (COC) is a common offender of this as it has several routes of consumption. Analyzing metabolites of COC may be the key to distinguishing between consumption and external contamination. The aim of the present study was to develop a quick, easy, and sensitive method for the detection and quantification of COC, benzoylecgonine (BE), norcocaine (NCOC), cocaethylene (CE), anhydroecgonine methyl ester (AEME), meta-hydroxy-cocaine (m-OH-COC), …

Successful Psychopathy: Trait Expression, Construct Validity, And Career Differences Among Lawyers, Law Students, And Pre-Law Undergraduate Students, Jessica Rush

Student Theses

Psychopathy is a multidimensional personality construct traditionally studied in offender populations but increasingly recognized in high-functioning, nonclinical groups. This study examined the expression of psychopathic traits—Fearless Dominance, Self-Centered Impulsivity, and Coldheartedness—among legal professionals at various career stages, including pre-law students, law students, and practicing attorneys. Using the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised (PPI-R) alongside validated measures of related constructs (e.g., narcissism, aggression, affect, behavioral activation/inhibition), the study assessed trait distribution, construct validity, and contextual influences in a sample of 82 participants. Results provided partial support for the PPI-R’s construct validity in this population. Total psychopathy and Self-Centered Impulsivity were positively associated with …

Pfas Levels In Hair: Comparing Us Populations To Global Trends, Ashef Ameer

Student Theses

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that raise significant toxicological concerns due to their environmental persistence and potential health hazards. This research examines the presence and concentration of selected PFAS compounds in human hair samples from volunteers in New York, comparing these results with global trends found in peer-reviewed research. Hair was selected as the biological matrix for its non-invasive collection method, ability to reflect exposure, and long-term chemical stability. For analysis, a validated LCMS/ MS technique was utilized to analyze hair samples (n = 27) for three compounds: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroheptanoic acid …

Examining The Impact Of Expert Testimony And/Or Mindfulness Training On Jurors’ Appraisals Of False Confessions, Izabela Rzaca

Student Theses

False confessions continue to be the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the United States, often because of coercive interrogation tactics (Kassin, 2008; Leo & Ofshe, 1998). Jurors frequently view confession evidence as highly persuasive, even when situations suggest it may be false (Kassin & Sukel, 1997). A confession becomes important when there are no other forms of evidence against the defendant, especially in cases where police detectives are pressured to decipher the crime (Gross, 2004). Additionally, confessions have shown to override other types of evidence when jurors make their decisions (Leo et al., 2013). To address this issue, the …

A Qualitative Nmr And Histological Analysis Of Adipocere Formation In Different Aqueous Environments Using Sus Scrofa Models, Mia M. Sorrentino

Student Theses

Adipocere is a wax-like crust that has the potential to form over corpses in moist, humid, and anaerobic environments, preserving them in a process similar to that of mummification. The substance can be identified within 3-6 months postmortem and is characterized by the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the most abundant in comparison to myristic and oleic acids. The goal of this study was to investigate factors affecting adipocere formation in different aqueous environments. Pork belly samples were submerged in water samples collected from different places around New York City …

Bullet Ricochet And Tunnelling Of Wood Substrates, Abdelrahman Khalifa

Student Theses

With the overall rise in shooting incidents throughout the country, most notably in urban areas, the capabilities and limitations of current forensic examinations of firearms-related incidents have become more apparent. An underappreciated aspect of shooting incidents is the phenomenon of bullet ricochet, which has led to ricochet-related injuries, with some cases proving fatal. Although there are processes and generally accepted standards for bullet trajectory analysis, ricochet analysis typically requires outside input from firearm examiners. Additionally, current research regarding ricochet on wood surfaces remains less thoroughly investigated than ricochet analysis on other yielding surfaces. The goal of this research was to …

Exploring The Biasing Effects Of Gender On Personality Disorder Diagnoses Formulated By Artificial Intelligence, Zoe Colclough

Student Theses

Gender bias is prevalent in personality disorder assessments, and while artificial intelligence has been posited as a solution to improve diagnostic objectivity and accuracy, the potential for such technologies to propagate human gender bias in mental health contexts remains underexplored. This study investigated the influences of gender bias on the diagnostic performance of ChatGPT-4o for personality disorders using three factorial research designs, which involved experimentally manipulating patient gender in a combined sample of 360 vignettes and case studies. Vignettes were synthesized through a novel artificial intelligence-assisted methodology established for this research, and case studies were identified from the literature. Significant …

Transfer Of Material Derived From Polymer-Jacketed Bullets During Cycling And Discharge, Ethan A. Frazer

Student Theses

The goal of this study was to determine alternative ways to connect a polymer-coated bullet to the handgun from which it was fired. Polymer-coated bullets are lead projectiles encased in a synthetic coating, which may vary between brands and/or models, to reduce barrel friction and heavy metal exposure. Federal Syntech^® Total Synthetic Jacket (TSJ) ammunition presents unique challenges to firearms examiners as its synthetic coating may not retain the individualizing striations found in traditional unjacketed or metal-jacketed bullets.

In this study, 9mm TSJ ammunition was fired through multiple traditionally rifled aftermarket Glock barrels. Cloth targets were set up at …

Examining Portrayals Of Gender In The Design Of Ai Voice Assistants, Olivia Fratangelo

Student Theses

This capstone project provides a theoretical framework for shifting the ways in which we think about and discuss anthropomorphized features of technological products, focusing specifically on applying this framework to the gendered design of AI voice assistants. The goal in providing this framework is to prompt readers to consider how we can think more critically about technology beyond our “preferences” and biases. Our roles as consumers of technology do not have to be passive ones. In fact, the dialectical relationship between humanity and technology makes everyone who contributes to society not just a consumer, but a developer of technology in …

Histomorphology Of Sharp-Force Trauma On Partially Cremated Remains, Horaceena Findley

Student Theses

Identifying sharp-force trauma in thermally altered human remains presents a significant challenge in forensic investigations, particularly in arson-related deaths where traditional autopsy techniques may be limited. This study explores the efficacy of histological methods in detecting sharp-force trauma on partially cremated remains using pig ribs (Sus scrofa) as a human analog. Simulated tool marks from a knife, screwdriver, and flathead screwdriver were inflicted at varying angles (60° and 90°) and subsequently exposed to high temperatures in an open fire setting. Histological analyses, including Hematoxylin and Eosin Y (H&E) and Gomori’s Prussian Blue staining, were employed to assess tissue structure and …

Passive Dna Transfer To Fidget Blasters Stored In Cars, Rachel Chan

Student Theses

This study evaluated the amount of detectable DNA accumulated on clean plastic fidget blasters, used to simulate firearms, over a seven-day storage period inside a vehicle. Twelve volunteers were asked to place one fidget blaster each in the glove box and underneath the driver’s seat from behind. After the seven-day period, the volunteers returned the fidget blasters, donated a reference sample, and filled out a questionnaire. The grip, slide, and trigger were swabbed for DNA and extracted. The extracts were quantified to determine the concentration of human DNA, and if the samples met the PCR threshold to be genotyped. The …