Research and Projects

Led by Dr. Michelle Miranda

The Criminal Investigation & Forensic Science Lab centers on the scientific and analytical aspects of crime investigation — especially forensic chemistry, trace-evidence analysis, tattoos/ink analysis, and the confluence of forensic science, criminal investigation, and media/popular culture. Under Dr. Miranda’s leadership, the lab draws upon her extensive scholarship in forensic science, ranging from the chemical and microscopic analysis of tattoo inks, gunshot residue, and other trace evidence, to broader conceptual work on the “trace” and its role in crime detection and legal investigations. 

What the Lab Focuses On:

• Chemical and microscopic analysis of physical evidence (tattoos, inks, GSR, biological traces)
• Forensic methodology and the philosophy of “trace” evidence — how subtle signals become admissible evidence
• Interdisciplinary studies bridging forensic science and criminal justice practice — for instance, looking at forensic evidence in media, legal standards, and ethical dimensions of evidence handling
• Training undergraduates in forensic science practices and preparing them for careers in investigations, labs, or further study

Led by Dr. Monique Sosnowski

The EnviroCrime Research Group is dedicated to studying environmental crimes — especially wildlife crime, trafficking in endangered species, maritime crimes, and environmental security. Professor Sosnowski brings considerable expertise in global wildlife health, conservation, and criminology, and has published widely on wildlife trafficking, the illegal trade in endangered species, environmental crime laws, and the intersection of ecological crime with global criminal networks. 

Core Research Themes:

• Analysis of wildlife and environmental crime (poaching, trafficking, smuggling, illegal wildlife trade) — including tracking trade networks, understanding laundering mechanisms, and transit-route vulnerabilities. 
• Maritime crime and transnational crime at sea — exploring how environmental crimes intersect with other illicit activities (e.g., trafficking, smuggling) in global Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). 
• Policy-relevant research aimed at strengthening environmental crime prevention, contributing to global conservation and security efforts, and informing legislation and enforcement strategies.
• Student involvement in real-world, global-scale crime analysis — allowing undergraduates to engage with pressing environmental justice and ecological protection issues through data analysis, mapping, and fieldwork.

Led by Dr. Deanna Devlin

The School Safety & Youth Justice Research Group investigates issues at the intersection of juvenile justice, schooling, youth safety, discipline, and community outcomes. Dr. Devlin’s scholarship — particularly her recent work — focuses on how school staffing decisions (e.g., counselors vs law enforcement presence) relate to exclusionary discipline rates and racial/ethnic disparities in school justice, as well as psychological perspectives on juvenile homicide and youth violence. Farmingdale State College

Major Research Interests & Projects:

• The impact of school resource allocation (e.g., counselors, support staff, police) on student discipline outcomes, racial/ethnic disparities, and school safety metrics. 
• Juvenile delinquency and youth homicide: understanding underlying psychological, social, and systemic factors that contribute to youth violence. 
• Evaluating policy and program effectiveness aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and mitigating school-to-prison pipeline effects.
• Offering undergraduates opportunities to engage with critical youth justice research, crime prevention policy evaluation, and community-based interventions.

Led by Peter Galante

The A.L.E.R.T. group is designed to explore and develop advanced methods, technologies, and research relevant to contemporary law enforcement practice. While full publication info for Instructor Peter Galante wasn’t immediately available in public faculty profiles, his leadership role in this group suggests a focus on bridging academic study and practical application: combining criminal justice theory with emerging investigative technologies, intelligence analysis, and law-enforcement methodologies. On the CCJS website, A.L.E.R.T. is listed explicitly as one of the core research groups. 

Emphases and Activities:

• Research into advanced policing methods, intelligence operations, technology in law enforcement (e.g., data analysis, crime mapping, cyber investigations)
• Collaboration with criminal justice agencies to pilot new tools and practices — providing students hands-on exposure to modern law enforcement challenges and innovations
• Preparing students for careers in law enforcement, homeland security, intelligence analysis, and related fields — emphasizing modern, tech-enabled policing and justice strategies
• Integration of research and practice: encouraging applied research that can feed directly into policy, agency best practices, and community safety initiatives

Led by Dr. Sean Wilson

The Critical Criminology Research Group at CCJS emphasizes social justice, equity, and the lived experiences of marginalized populations within the justice system. Professor Wilson’s research foregrounds issues such as reentry, racial and socioeconomic disparities in policing and corrections, critical gang studies, and the broader intersections of race, class, gender, and justice.

Key Focus Areas:

• The study of reentry and reintegration: examining health, social, and justice outcomes for returning citizens, particularly from marginalized communities. 
• Critical analyses of policing, race, policy, and structural inequalities within the justice system — exploring how systemic issues shape crime, enforcement, and community relations. 
• Evaluation of punitive justice policies, social control mechanisms, and their impact on vulnerable populations (e.g., formerly incarcerated individuals, racial minorities, low-income communities). 
• Empowering students to engage in community-based research, qualitative studies, and advocacy-oriented scholarship — bridging academic criminology with social justice and reform efforts.