Faculty
Denise Herz
Professor and Director
- University of Maryland at College Park, 1997, PhD, Criminology.
- University of Maryland at College Park, 1994, MA, Criminology.
- Hood College, Frederick, Maryland, 1991, BA, Law & Society
Prior to coming to the School of Criminal Justice, Professor Herz was faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the Department of Criminal Justice. Her primary area of research is in juvenile justice, with particular emphasis on mental health and substance abuse issues among offenders, improving the processing of juvenile offenders, and most recently, crossover youth.
Since 2004, Dr. Herz has worked with Los Angeles Superior Court, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and the Los Angeles County Probation Department to document the characteristics and needs of crossover youth (i.e., dependent youth who “crossover” into delinquency) and to evaluate the court’s Multidisciplinary Team pilot program for handling crossover youth. In addition to this work, Dr. Herz has been involved a variety of research and evaluation projects. She is currently evaluating the Mental Health Advocacy Team program recently created by the Children’s Law Center in Los Angeles. In Nebraska, Dr. Herz completed a statewide report on mental health services for juvenile offenders, provided technical assistance and wrote the reports for the legislatively mandated Substance Abuse Task Force, and produced an evaluation of three juvenile drug courts. Dr. Herz was also the Site Director for the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program in Omaha (1996-2001) and in Los Angeles (2003-2004). As part of ADAM, she authored the National Institute Research in Brief, “Drugs in the Heartland: Methamphetamine Use in Rural Nebraska.”
Dr. Herz’s work is published in a variety of academic journals and books, including: Children & Youth Services Review, Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Crime & Delinquency, Deviant Behavior, Feminist Criminology, Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Journal of Drug Issues, Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Journal of Research and Policy, Juvenile & Family Court Journal, and Social Work Research.
Office: Room 253, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: dherz@calstatela.edu
Office phone: 323-343-4624
Jane Florence Gauthier
Assistant Professor
· Washington State University, 2004, PhD, Sociology
· California State University, Bakersfield, 1993, MA, Behavioral Science
· California State University, Bakersfield, 1991, BA, Sociology
Prior to coming to Cal State LA, Dr. Gauthier was faculty at University of Nevada, Las Vegas where her primary research interests included women and crime and the effects of neighborhoods on crime patterns. While at UNLV, she published research on the gender differences in the job satisfaction of police officers and the effects of acculturation on Hispanic substance use. Her current research focuses on hate crimes, including an examination of the predictors of spatial patterns of hate crimes across the United States.
Office: Room 248, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: jane.gauthier2@calstatela.edu
Office Phone: 323-343-3424
Lisa Graziano
Assistant Professor
- University of Illinois at Chicago, 2007, PhD, Criminal Justice
- University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003, MA, Criminal Justice
- Governors State University, 1997, BA, Psychology
Dr. Graziano’s years as an advocate for domestic violence victims entailed working with courts and police agencies, an experience which has shaped both her teaching and research interests. Her primary research interests include community policing, police-community interaction, and police use of information technology.
Prior to coming to California State University, Los Angeles, Dr. Graziano’s research focused on evaluating the implementation and impact of new information technology systems by the Chicago Police Department, particularly in relation to community policing initiatives. She has also worked locally with the Los Angeles Police Department to analyze robbery trends within the Hollenbeck District, as well as participated in community needs assessments for the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Gang Reduction Youth Development program. Her ongoing research focuses on police use of the Internet, exploring the manners in which police agencies use their websites to communicate information to and otherwise interact with the communities they serve
Office: Room 247, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: lgrazia@calstatela.edu
Office phone: 323-343-6230
Don Johnson
Associate Professor
- University of California, Los Angeles, 1989, MS (PhD candidate), Anatomy
- California State University, Los Angeles, 1984, Biology
Professor Donald Johnson has been actively involved in the forensic sciences for over two decades, both as a practitioner and academician. His career began with service to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office and the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. He then advanced to senior criminalist at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he was an ASCLD/LAB qualified DNA analyst and specialized in the forensic investigation of violent crimes. Professor Johnson continues to serve forensic laboratories as a consultant and trainer.
Professor Johnson received his graduate degrees at the UCLA School of Medicine, and has published on research in neurobiology and criminalistics in scientific journals such as Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, and the Journal of Forensic Sciences. His current research examines the use of new technologies and novel approaches to advance the analysis of problematic forensic samples. In 2007, Professor Johnson and Dr. Katherine Roberts received a National Institute of Justice research grant to investigate the use of SampleMatrix™ to capture and stabilize crime scene biological samples for optimized analysis and room temperature storage. Professor Johnson is additionally investigating the role and impact of forensic evidence in the criminal justice process under a National Institute of Justice research grant given to Drs. Peterson and Sommers of the CSULA School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics. Professor Johnson brings his casework and research experience to the classroom in his teaching of forensic science to undergraduate and graduate students at CSULA.
Office: Room 246, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Phone: (323) 343-4620
E-mail:djohnso5@calstatela.edu
Joseph L. Peterson
Professor
- Carthage College, 1967, AB, Math/Physics
- University of California, Berkeley, 1971, D.Crim, Criminology/Criminalistics
Joseph L. Peterson has held academic and administrative positions in several criminal justice programs over the past thirty-five years: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, University of Illinois, Chicago, Sam Houston State University (TX), and California State University, Los Angeles. In the 1970s, he was on the staff of the National Institute of Justice, and served as Executive Director of the Forensic Sciences Foundation, Rockville, MD. Peterson’s research and publications have monitored the evolution of the forensic sciences, documenting its growing potential as well as its shortcomings. His research has focused on the uses and effects of scientific evidence and testimony at key decision points in the judicial process (arrest, charging, determination of guilt or innocence, and sentencing) and found that forensic evidence has a limited effect in deciding guilt or innocence, but major impact at the points of arrest and sentencing. His work has also probed the quality of crime laboratory results via proficiency testing of examiners. Peterson has examined the problems associated with the placement of crime laboratories within law enforcement agencies, including chronic resources shortages, difficulties in maintaining neutrality, and a reluctance to embrace rigorous scientific standards.
Dr. Peterson testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee in 1989 when forensic DNA testing was first being introduced. He advised Senator Paul Simon and the committee that quality control and the training of analysts, police officers, and judicial personnel would be critical if DNA typing was to be accepted by the courts and the public. In his career, Peterson has received research grants from the National Institute of Justice, the Forensic Sciences Foundation, and the National Science Foundation. Dr. Peterson’s 2002 and 2005 Census(es) of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories for the U.S. for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) have documented high caseloads, long backlogs, and severe budgetary and personnel needs. He is presently (2006) funded by the National Institute of Justice to study the role and impact of forensic science in the criminal justice process.
Office: Room 255, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: joseph.peterson@calstatela.edu
Office Phone: 323-343-3613.
Katherine Roberts
Professor and Director, Criminalistics MS Degree Program
- Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, 2002, PhD, Criminal Justice
- (Specialization: Forensic Science)
- John Jay College, 1998, MPhil, Criminal Justice
- University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), 1989, MSc, Forensic Chemistry
- University of London (King’s College), 1987, BSc, Chemistry (Hons)
Dr. Roberts’ research interests relate to the development and application of analytical methods to enhance the value of forensic evidence. Her current projects focus on nuclear/mitochondrial DNA analysis and trace evidence analysis. She is collaborating with several biotechnology companies including Biomatrica and the Department of Human Genetics at Roche Molecular Systems. Dr. Roberts is presently serving as PI/co-PI on three externally funded grant awards:
Investigations on the use of SampleMatrix™ to capture and stabilize crime scene biological samples for optimized analysis and room temperature storage (NIJ 2007-2009)
DNA Training Enhanced Delivery and Development Program (NIJ 2009-2010) in collaboration with CFSI
Congressional Funding Award (2009-2010) in collaboration with CFSI
Dr. Roberts was an elected member of the Technical Working Group for Education and Training in Forensic Science (TWGED) that was convened by the National Institute of Justice. The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) uses the report issued by TWGED in order to evaluate the academic standards of undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs.
Office: Room 254, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Phone: (323) 343-4625
E-mail: krobert2@calstatela.edu
Bill Sanders
Associate Professor
- University of London (London School of Economics/Goldsmith College), 2004, PhD, Sociology
- University of Cambridge (Trinity Hall College), 1995, MPhil, Criminology
- University of California, Riverside, 1994, BA, Sociology/Law & Society
Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Sanders is a sociologist who has conducted qualitative research on high-risk behaviors among at risk youth in London, New York and Los Angeles. He has published in areas such as substance use, violence, crime, and unsafe sexual behaviors among young offenders, gang members, injection drug users, and those who experience homelessness. Dr. Sanders has also published on drug selling, club drug use, prescription drug misuse, gang intervention and diversion, and qualitative research methods.
Dr. Sanders has been promoting as a public health agenda towards the study and approach of gang youth. Publications that reflect this agenda thus far have included: a public health model for studying risk behaviors among gang youth; the operationalization of a partnership with community-based organizations in order to access and interview active gang youth; evidence that gang youth are a vulnerable population suitable for nursing intervention; substance use patterns and the normalized character of marijuana among gang youth; and epidemiological data on unsafe sexual practices among gang members. Dr. Sanders continues research on intersections of criminal justice and public health more generally.
Office: Room 256, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: bsander2@calstatela.edu
Office phone: 323-343-4622
Katharine Tellis
Assistant Professor
- University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2008, PhD, Criminal Justice
- University of California, Los Angeles, 2005, MSW, Social Welfare
- University of California, Los Angeles, 2003, BA (Summa Cum Laude), Women's Studies
With a background in gender studies and social welfare, Dr. Tellis brings an interdisciplinary approach to the study of criminal justice focusing on race, class, gender, and violence prevention. Most recently she has consulted on the LA City and County Gang and Violence Reduction Strategies, and she is currently the co-principal investigator on a National Institute of Justice funded study of sexual assault case processing in Los Angeles.
Office: Room 248, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Email: ktellis@calstatela.edu
Office Phone: 323-343-4623
Part Time Instructors
David Brougham, J.D. Professor Brougham received his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law, worked 20 years as a prosecuting attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and currently serves as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. He has been teaching at California State University for over a decade and teaches Criminal Procedures (CRIM 428), Ethics (CRIM 405) and Criminal Law (CRIM 126).
Carlos Chung, J.D. Mr. Chung worked as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where he was assigned to the Hardcore Gang Division and the Major Crimes Division. He currently serves as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. He teaches Criminal Concepts and has taught Criminal Procedure in the past.
Amanda Davis, M.S. Ms. Davis obtained a B.S. in Chemistry from Appalachian State University, part of the University of North Carolina system, and an M.S. in Criminalistics from California State University, Los Angeles. She is a Senior Criminalist with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Scientific Services Bureau, Quality Assurance Division. Ms. Davis teaches Introduction to Forensic Science (CRIM 409).
Karyl Draper, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.W., L.C.S.W., received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from USC and a Master’s in Social Work at UCLA. She also has her California license in clinical social work and over 33 years working as a nurse or social worker, with experience in HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Homelessness and Mental Health. She teaches courses in Women and Crime and in Mental Illness, Substance Abuse and Violence.
Kelly William Enos, M.A. Mr. Enos is a retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff with 10 years of law enforcement experience. He earned a master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles and has worked as a consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department and trainer for the State of California Adult Protective Services. Mr. Enos is currently Vice Chair of the Administration of Justice program at Los Angeles Mission College. He teaches Introduction to the Administration of Justice (CRIM 101), Concepts of Criminal Law (CRIM 126) and Theory and Perspectives (CRIM 303).
David Estep, J.D. Professor Estep received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. He currently works as a law firm director for the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles and is certified by the California Bar and National Association of Counsel or Children as a Child Welfare Law Specialist. He first taught at California State University in 2006 and teaches Juvenile Justice (CRIM 309).
Margaret Finnegan received her PhD from UCLA. She is the author of Selling Suffrage: Consumer Culture and Votes for Women (Columbia University Press), and her work has appeared in numerous publications, including American Quarterly, LA Times and Salon. She has taught writing at CSULA for over nine years. She teaches (CRIM 301) Written Communication in Criminal Justice.
Ana M. Gamez, Ph.D., received her B.A in General Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles, an M.S. in Forensic Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University. She spent nine years working for the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, Custody Assistant, and has taught college courses at California Baptist University, California State University, Long Beach, and National University. She completed an American Psychological Association accredited internship with the Department of Veteran Affairs, Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Clinic where she treated psychopathology in individual and group therapy contexts with Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom, Gulf, and Vietnam Veteran population. Dr. Gamez is completing a Postdoctoral training as a law enforcement Psychologist with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. She teaches the Forensic Mental Health (CRIM 307) course.
Carley D. Mitchell, B.S. Mr. Mitchell earned a B.S. in Public Management from Pepperdine University and taken added graduate studies in Public Communications. He is retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 25 years of service. He also taught for seven years at the California Department of Justice and 19 years for Rio Hondo Community College. He has been a lecturer for California State University, Los Angeles for four years. He teaches Police Organization and Administration (CRIM 202), Concepts of Criminal Law (CRIM 126), Ethics (CRIM 405), and various classes on policing.
Stephanie Tovar, M.S. Ms. Tovar has a dual Masters of Science in Criminal Justice and Urban Studies from Michigan State University. She is Project Coordinator for a substance abuse and treatment study for gang-affiliated adolescents and their families, and Project Manager for other medical research studies aimed at improving the overall quality of life for racial/ethnic populations in Southern California. Ms. Tovar teaches Written Communication (CRIM 301), Race, Ethnicity and Gender in the Criminal Justice System (CRIM 210), and Female Juvenile Delinquents (CRIM 491).
Staff
Gloria Torres, Administrative Support Coordinator
Office: Room 244, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Phone: (323) 343-4610
Fax: (323) 343-4646
Maria Molina, Academic Advisor
Office: Room 250, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
Phone: (323) 343-4618