Thomas Brettell
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences | Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA, UNITED STATES
Professor Brettell teaches forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry courses in the department of chemical and physical sciences.
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Biography
Thomas A. Brettell, Ph.D., joined Cedar Crest College in the fall of 2006, where he has been teaching forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry courses in the department of chemical and physical sciences. He previously served as director of the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, where he oversaw the operation of the State's regional forensic laboratory system. He had been employed by the New Jersey State Police Forensic Science Bureau since 1976. In addition to Cedar Crest, he had previously taught forensic science in the criminology and justice departments at The College of New Jersey and Rider University.
Brettell has served on the Governor's Advisory Council Against Sexual Violence and presently serves on the National Safety Council's Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs. He was appointed to the NIST Seized-Drug Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) to develop federal standards and guidelines to improve Forensic Science. He has testified more than 90 times in municipal and superior courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania including testimony for the New Jersey State Supreme Court.
Industry Expertise (2)
Education/Learning
Research
Areas of Expertise (4)
Forensic Toxicology
Instrumental Analysis
Analytical Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Accomplishments (3)
AAFS Criminalistics Section Meritorious Service Award (2016) (professional)
Award
Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley Award (1997) (professional)
Award
Commendation from Colonel Justin J. Dintino, Superintendent, New Jersey State Police, Re: Suarez Investigation (professional)
Commendation
Education (3)
Villanova University: Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry
Lehigh University: M.S., Chemistry
Drew University: B.S., Chemistry
Affiliations (12)
- American Board of Criminalistics (Diplomate)
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences (Fellow)
- Council of Forensic Science Educators (Past President)
- Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley (Past President)
- Eastern Analytical Symposium (Executive Board - Treasurer)
- New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists (Treasurer)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee E-30
- American Chemical Society
- Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists
- American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)
- Middle Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists
- National Safety Council's Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs
Courses (7)
Introduction to Forensic Science
forensic science course
Instrumental Analysis
forensic science course
Analytical Chemistry
chemistry course
Advanced Analytical Spectroscopy
graduate course
Forensic Chemistry
graduate course
Separations Chemistry
graduate course
Forensic Thesis
Mentoring graduate level thesis research
Articles (6)
Lab Manual for Criminalistics 11th Ed.
Prentice Hall, 2015
C.E. Meloan, R.E. James, T.A. Brettell, R. Saferstein
ISBN: 978-0-13-345889-3
Analysis of goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis L., and related alkaloids in urine using HPLC with UV detection
Journal of Chromatography B
2012-01-01
A screening method was developed to extract and detect berberine and hydrastine alkaloids from goldenseal root powder and urine samples using HPLC with UV detection. The isocratic method was developed to detect alkaloids in 5 mL of urine prior to drug screening. Urine samples were spiked with the alkaloids at varying concentrations and extracted twice with 3:1 chloroform:2-propanol (CHCl3:2-propanol). The extracts were combined, concentrated using nitrogen gas and the residue was then reconstituted with a mobile phase of acetonitrile:buffer (32:68)...
2012 Student Paper: Forensic Science Administration and Ideals for Laboratory Management
Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal
2012-01-01
In the field of forensic science it is imperative for all laboratories to run smoothly and efficiently. To reach this goal, the administrative aspects of the field must not be overlooked. Despite the importance of successful administration, there is currently no accepted definition that accurately describes the roles and responsibilities of forensic science administration...
Current issues in forensic science higher education
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
2009-08-01
An assessment of the forensic sciences, published in 1999 by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), described the educational and training needs of the forensic science community as "immense". This immense need has developed over the last two decades by the unprecedented demand of the criminal justice system for crime laboratory services due in large part to the implementation of forensic DNA testing...
The hydrochloride salt of L-ecgonine, a congener of cocaine
Acta Crystallographica
2008-02-01
The title compound, (1R,2R,3S,5S,8S)-3-hydroxy-8-methyl-8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylic acid chloride, C9H16NO3+·Cl-, is both a metabolite and a precursor of the tropane alkaloid L-cocaine. The carboxyl group is not involved in dimerization, but instead donates a hydrogen bond to the chloride counter-ion, which participates in two additional hydrogen bonds. The chloride ion is thus trigonally hydrogen bonded to three L-ecgonine cations. The quarternary N proton is intramolecularly hydrogen bonded to the carboxyl C=O group, an arrangement identical to that reported for both (-)-norcocaine and the tetrachloroaurate(III) salt of L-cocaine. One close intermolecular C-H...O contact exists...
Validation and QA/QC of Gas Chromatographic Methods
Modern Practice of Chromatography
2004-01-01
As with any equipment, the gas chromatograph requires validation before being used in an analytical method. Validation is a critical part of the development of an analytical gas chromatographic procedure. Validation is defined as “establishing documented evidence which provides a high degree of assurance that a specific process will consistently produce a product meeting its predetermined specifications and quality attributes.” It is generally concerned with a specific analysis or method...
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