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Theresa Stotesbury
PhD

Assistant Professor

Forensic Science

Faculty of Science

I am a forensic research scientist focusing on understanding the (bio)chemical properties of common types of physical evidences and traces deposited at crime scenes and how they persist in the environment.

@theresastotes Stotesbury Research Group

Contact information

Science Building - Room 3055
North Oshawa
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5

905.721.8668 ext. 2606

theresa.stotesbury@ontariotechu.ca

Research topics

  • Bloodstain formation
  • Bloodstain degradation
  • Time since deposition
  • Chemical profiles of trace evidence
  • Forensic blood substitutes

Areas of expertise

  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
  • High-speed Video
  • Films

Background

Theresa Stotesbury is an assistant professor and early career researcher in the forensic science program in the Faculty of Science. Her research group characterizes how biological tissues, like blood, degrades in the environment and finds innovative ways to use this information to help with forensic investigations. For example, recently her research group was highlighted on the front cover of the journal Forensic Chemistry for mass spectrometry imaging of fingerprints that were chemically recovered from underneath bloodstains; the first study of its kind with significant implications for forensic investigations. Her group use methods in analytical chemistry to develop models to age a bloodstain, which can be useful in providing context to the events of a crime. Her research group also focuses on developing novel biomaterials for biosensing and forensic science applications.

Dr. Stotesbury has held a passion for forensic science since her earliest years as an academic, graduating with a BSc (Trent University) and MSc (University of Auckland) in Forensic Science. In 2017, she graduated with a PhD from Trent University in Materials Science, where she developed a synthetic blood substitute that forensic agencies around the world are now incorporating into their research and training practices. Dr. Stotesbury regularly collaborates with members of the forensic community and has held a previous appointment of Research Scientist at the Ontario Provincial Police.

Education

  • BSc in Forensic Science Trent University 2011
  • MSc in Forensic Science University of Auckland 2012
  • PhD in Materials Science Trent University 2017

Courses taught

  • CHEM 3830U – Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
  • FSCI 3040U – Forensic Chemistry
  • FSCI 4030U - Drug Chemistry and Toxicology
  • FSCI 4430U - Directed Studies
  • MTSC 6010G - Physics and Chemistry of Materials

Publications

  • Journal Articles
    1. Cossette ML*, Stotesbury T, Shafer ABA. Quantifying visible absorbance changes and DNA degradation in aging bloodstains under extreme temperatures. Forensic Science International (2020).​
    2. Tiessen M*,  Stock NL, Stotesbury T. Untargeted SPME-GC-MS characterization of VOCs released from spray paint. Journal of Chromatographic Sciences (2020).
    3. ​Yeh K*, Burr WS, Stock NL, Stotesbury T. Preliminary analysis of latent fingerprints recovered from underneath bloodstains using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI FT-ICR MSI). Forensic Chemistry (2020).​
    4. Stotesbury T, Cossette ML*, Newell-Bell T*, Shafer ABA. An exploratory time since deposition analysis of whole blood using metrics of DNA degradation and visible absorbance spectroscopy. Pure Appl. Geophys. (2020). ​
    5. Beresford DV, Stotesbury T, Langer SV, Illes M, Kyle CJ, Yamashita B. Bridging the gap between academia and practice: Perspectives from two large-scale and niche research projects in Canada. Science & Justice. 2020;Jan1:95-8.​
    6. Orr A^, Stotesbury T, Wilson P, Stock NL. The use of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for the analysis of DNA and other macromolecules: a how-to guide for forensic chemistry. Forensic Chemistry. 2019;May 30:100169. 
    7. Boos K*, Orr A^, Illes M, Stotesbury T. Characterizing drip patterns in bloodstain pattern analysis: influence of droplet impact velocity and number of droplets on static pattern features. Forensic Science International. 2019;301(1):55-66. 
    8. Orr A^, Illes M, Beland J, Stotesbury T. Validation of Sherlock, a linear trajectory analysis program for use in bloodstain pattern analysis. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 2019;Mar 4:1-7.
    9.  Polacco S^, Wilson P, Illes M, Vreugdenhil A, Stotesbury T. Luminol reagent control materials in bloodstain pattern analysis: a silicon sol-gel polymer alternative. Forensic Chemistry. 2019;12(1):91-8.
    10. ​Shetranjiwalla S, Vreugenhil A, Stotesbury T. Waterborne epoxy-thiol silica sol-gel coatings: impact of crosslinking on corrosion protection. Journal of Sol Gel Science and Technology. 2018;87(2):504-13.
    11. ​Illes M, Bruce C, Stotesbury T, Hanley-Dafoe R. A study on student engagement within a forensic science course. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research at Trent. 2018;1(1):55-70.
    12. ​Polacco S^, Illes M, Wilson P, Stotesbury T. Quantifying chemiluminescence of the forensic luminol test for ovine blood in a dilution and time series. Forensic Science International. 2018;290(1):36-41.
    13. ​Polacco S*, Illes M, Stotesbury T. The use of a forensic blood substitute for impact pattern area of origin estimation via three trajectory analysis programs. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 2018; May:1-9.
    14. ​Stotesbury T, Illes, M, Wilson P, Vreugdenhil, AJ. The application of silicon sol-gel technology to forensic blood substitute development: investigation of the spreading dynamics onto a paper surface. Forensic Science International. 2017;275(1):308-13.
    15. ​Stotesbury T, Illes M, Vreugdenhil AJ. High-speed video analysis of crown formation dynamics of controlled weapon-head impacts onto three surface types. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 2017;50(2):64-73.
    16. ​Stotesbury T, Illes M, Wilson P, Vreugdenhil AJ. The application of silicon sol-gel technology to forensic blood substitute development: mimicking aspects of whole human blood rheology. Forensic Science International. 2017;270(1):12-9.
    17. ​Stotesbury T, Taylor MC, Jermy MC. Simulated transfer dynamics of blood onto cardboard and comparison to simple fluids for blood substitute development and assessment. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 2017;50(1):30-41.
    18. ​Stotesbury T, Taylor MC, Jermy MC. Passive drip stain formation dynamics of blood onto hard surfaces and comparison to simple fluids for blood substitute development and assessment. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2017;62(1):74-82.
    19. ​Illes M, Bruce C, Hanley-Dafoe R, Stotesbury T. Novel technological approaches for pedagogy in forensic science: A case study in bloodstain pattern analysis. Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal. 2016;7(3-4):87-97.
    20. ​Stotesbury T, Bruce C, Illes M, Hanley-Dafoe R. Design considerations for the implementation of artificial fluids as blood substitutes for educational and training use in the forensic sciences. Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal. 2016;7(3-4):81-6.
    21. ​Stotesbury T, Illes M, Jermy MC, Taylor MC, Wilhelm J, Vreugdenhil AJ. Three physical factors that affect the crown growth of the impact mechanism and its implications for bloodstain pattern analysis. Forensic Science International. 2016; 266(1):254-62.
    22. ​Illes M, Stotesbury T. Development of an application method for a zone stain selection model in bloodstain pattern analysis. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 2016;49(1):19-25.
    23. ​Stotesbury T, Illes M, Vreugdenhil AJ. An impact velocity device design for blood spatter pattern generation with considerations for high-speed video analysis. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2016;61(2):501-8.
    24. ​Stotesbury T, Illes M, Wilson P, Vreugdenhil AJ. A commentary on synthetic blood substitute research and development. Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. 2015;31(2):3-6.
    25.  Kabaliuk N, Jermy MC, Morison K, Stotesbury T, Taylor MC, Williams E. Blood drop size in passive dripping from weapons. Forensic Science International. 2013;228(1):75-82.
    26. ​Zhou Y, Stotesbury T, Dimock B, Vreugdenhil AJ, Hintelmann H. Novel silica sol-gel passive sampler for mercury monitoring in aqueous systems. Chemosphere. 2012;90(2):323-8.
    27. Stotesbury T, Illes M, Vreugdenhil A. Investigation of physical effects of Acid Yellow 7 enhancement on dark and non-porous surfaces in impact pattern area of origin estimation. Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences Journal. 2012;45(1):22-35.
    28. ​Nowack L, Collins R, Li G, Carter AL, Illes M, Gorman V, Larocque S, Stotesbury T, Yamashita, B. Computer analysis of bloodstain patterns on angled surfaces. Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. 2011;27(3):17-28.
  • Patents
    1. Vreugdenhil AJ, Stotesbury TE, inventors; TRENT UNIVERSITY, assignee. Anti-corrosion sol-gel material. United States patent US 10,457,562. 2019 Oct 29.