Forensic DNA Expert
Suzanna Ryan
Forensic DNA & Genetic Genealogy Expert
- 27+ years in forensic DNA & serology
- Fellow in Molecular Biology, American Board of Criminalistics
- MS Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Expert witness 150+ times, 21 states
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Suzanna Ryan has spent more than 27 years in forensic serology and DNA analysis — in state, federal-contract, and private laboratories, and since 2008 as owner of Ryan Forensic DNA Consulting. She is certified as a Fellow in Molecular Biology by the American Board of Criminalistics, and has been accepted as an expert witness more than 150 times across 21 states, Washington D.C., Germany, and Japan.
Practice
- Owner and consultant, Ryan Forensic DNA Consulting — Carlsbad, CA, 2008–present
- Laboratory Director / Forensic DNA Analyst, Pure Gold Forensics — 2017–present
- Forensic Serologist, Advanced Serology Laboratory — 2015–present
- Complete review of forensic DNA casework: bench notes, results, mixture interpretation, and statistical conclusions
- Body-fluid identification — blood, semen, saliva, vaginal and menstrual fluid
- Evidence collection using alternate light sources and the M-Vac wet-vacuum DNA collection system
- Director of Forensic Consulting, American Investigative Society of Cold Cases — 2019–present
Laboratory career
- Forensic DNA Analyst, The Bode Technology Group — 1999–2002; held Top Secret clearance on a federal contract
- Managed remains identification from mass graves in Bosnia, with the International Commission on Missing Persons
- Mass-disaster identification: Alaska Airlines Flight 261 (2000) and the World Trade Center (2001)
- Crime Laboratory Analyst, Florida Department of Law Enforcement — 2002–2005
- Criminalist II, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Crime Lab — 2005–2006
- Forensic DNA Technical Leader & QA Manager, Crime Scene Technologies — 2006–2008
- DNA auditor / assessor, National Forensic Science Technology Center — trained by the FBI to audit laboratories against the FBI Quality Assurance Standards
Expert testimony
- Accepted as an expert in serology and/or forensic DNA analysis over 150 times
- Testified in 21 states and Washington, D.C., and in U.S. military courts in Germany and Japan
- Deposed more than 25 times in criminal and civil matters
- Pre-trial and trial assistance for both prosecution and defense
- Educational programs and DNA training for attorneys and investigators
Teaching & publication
- Adjunct Professor, National University Master of Forensic Science program — created and taught “Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA” and “Advanced Criminalistics”
- Instructor, Virtual Learning and Training Academy — online serology and DNA programs for attorneys and law enforcement
- Published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, the Journal of Cold Case Review, and Forensic Science International: Genetics
- Columnist for LawOfficer.com; contributor to Law Officer Magazine and Forensic Magazine
- Conference presenter, American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Investigative Society of Cold Cases
Media
- History Channel, Hunt for the Zodiac Killer (2017) — the Cheri Jo Bates homicide
- Netflix — Zodiac Killer documentary
- Forensic Files and Forensic Files II
- Starz, Wrong Man — retained to review the DNA case file and testing recommendations in the Kenneth Clair case
- Oxygen, The Forgotten West Memphis Three
- Oxygen / Investigation Discovery, Marcia Clark Investigates the First 48 Hours — the Chandra Levy case
- Investigation Discovery, Michelle Malkin Investigates — the Daniel Holtzclaw case
- Travel Channel, Mission Declassified — DNA testing on remains attributed to Butch Cassidy
- HLN, Beyond Reasonable Doubt
- CNN — the Rebecca Zahau case
- CBS News, ABC News, Court TV, NewsNation, Fox Nation, The Will Cain Show, and Discovery Channel
- Podcasts including Nancy Grace, The Megyn Kelly Show, Laura Ingle, and Anne Emerson
Education
- MS, Forensic Science — Virginia Commonwealth University, 1998
- BS, Biology, minor in Chemistry — Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, 1997
Awards
- Davis Productivity Award, State of Florida — 2004
- Commendation for outstanding assistance in the Wishart murder investigation, Sarasota Police Department — 2005
- Certificate of Appreciation for contributions in drug law enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration — 2007
Confidential Case Review
Tell us what happened. We'll tell you what's possible.
Your inquiry is confidential and carries no obligation. We take on complex cases that need more than a records search.
- Read by an investigator Your note goes to the team that would work the case — not a call center.
- Completely confidential We don't share, sell, or discuss your inquiry with anyone.