Degrees: MS, 2007, CUNY John Jay Coll Criminal; BS, 1977, SUNY Coll Envrnmntl Sci Frstry; AAS, 1975, SUNY Coll Agric Tech Cobleskll

Bio:

As the new director of the Forensic Science program, Professor Scott Kovar brings years of practical experience to Hofstra's Chemistry Department. He has more than 25 years of experience within the Nassau County Police Department's Forensic Evidence Bureau, where he is currently senior forensic microscopist assigned to the Criminalistics Section. Professor Kovar has testified more than 100 times as a forensic expert, in all the courts of Nassau County (Family, District, County and Supreme Court). He has also testified in Kings County, Queens County, and in the Eastern District of Federal Court, in New York. Additionally, Professor Kovar enhances our program as an adjunct assistant professor, teaching both required and elective forensic science courses and inorganic chemistry labs. He is a diplomate and dual fellow of the American Board of Criminalistics, past president and fellow of the New York Microscopical Society, a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and an active member of the more local Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists. He received a B.S. from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY, and a Master of Science in forensic science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His teaching experience includes five years as an adjunct within the forensic science program at Pace University in New York City, where he not only taught forensic science classes, but also helped develop both their undergraduate and graduate forensic science program. His research interests include all areas of microscopy, especially polarizing light microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. He also has experience in FTIR-Microspectrophotometry, Raman Spectroscopy, UV-Visible Microspectrophotometry, SEM-Energy Dispersive X-ray microanalysis and X-ray fluorescence. His areas of forensic interest include physical impression evidence (footwear prints, tire tracks, and contact bloodstains), glass, paint, polymers, hairs, fibers, soil, botanical materials, gunshot residue, and any other trace material of evidentiary value.