Kimberly Kobojek received her bachelor's in biology from Arizona State University in 1993. After a short career in cytogenetics at a private lab in Chandler, Arizona, as well as volunteering for the Mesa Police Department Crime Laboratory, Kobojek began her career as a forensic scientist (a.k.a. "criminalist") with the City of Phoenix Police Department (PPD) Crime Laboratory. While working for the PPD Crime Lab, Kobojek worked in the Controlled Substances Unit, the Toxicology/Blood Alcohol Unit, and the Forensic Biology Unit. She also earned her master's degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney while working full time. Upon earning her master's degree, Kobojek was able to serve as an adjunct professor in the Life Sciences Department at Paradise Valley Community College where she taught BIO 156 and BIO 205. During her time with the city, Kobojek testified as an expert witness or was involved in a number of ground-breaking or high-profile criminal cases in Maricopa County including the "Baseline Killer" case; the case of Ray Krone; and the case dubbed the "A.M. Rapist" case.
Teaching science has always been a passion, so after 17 years with the City of Phoenix, Kobojek made the decision to move onwards and upwards to Arizona State University and the New College on the West campus-she's never looked back! Go Devils!
The CODIS database and potential long-term effects and ramifications of widespread DNA collection and storage from individuals; Forensic DNA analysis of "touch DNA"; science education and outreach programming; the "C.S.I. Effect"; bloodstain pattern analysis
Published Proceedings
Kobojek, K., Marshall, P., Sweat, K., Broach, J., Foltz-Sweat, J., and Falsetti, A. (2019). Addressing the Challenge of Conducting Undergraduate Research in Forensic Science Academic Programs Using a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). The Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 71st Annual Scientific Meeting.
Vietri, K., Cruz, M. and Kobojek, K. (2019). The Effects of Household Cleaners and Paint on the Detection of Bloodstains Over Time. The Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 71st Annual Scientific Meeting.
Kidd, J., Jimenez-Navarro, M., Manas, C. and Kobojek, K. (2019). The Persistence of Salivary α-Amylase on Decomposing Skin. The Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 71st Annual Scientific Meeting.
Kobojek, K. (2017). Visualizations for Introducing Database Concepts in Forensic Science. The Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 69th Annual Scientific Meeting.
Craig, C. and Kobojek, K. (2017). Effectiveness of Blood Detecting Techniques Leading to the Further Analysis of Bluestar® Luminol. Proceedings of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Volume 52.
Little, C. and Kobojek, K. (2015). The Possibility and Forensic Use of Distinguishable Horizontal Gene Transfer between Gonorrhea and Humans. Proceedings of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Volume 50.
Kobojek, K. and Twigg, P. (2011). Evaluation of “Non-Toxic” Cleaners’ Effects on Presumptive Blood Tests-Can “Green” Products Make a Difference? The Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting.
Technical Reports
Kobojek, K. (2005). “Safety and Health.” National Forensic Science Technology Center DNA Analyst Training Module for the President’s DNA Initiative. Access available at: http://www.nfstc.org/pdi/Subject10/pdi_s10_m03.htm
Conference Presentations
“Addressing the Challenge of Conducting Undergraduate Research in Forensic Science Academic Programs Using a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).” Scientific Session, Oral Presentation. American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting, Baltimore, MD. February 2019.
“Visualizations for Introducing Database Concepts in Forensic Science.” Poster presentation, American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting, New Orleans, LA. February 2017.
“What Shapes Our Future?: Foundations and New Directions.” Young Forensic Scientists Forum, Oral Presentation. American Academy of Forensic sciences annual meeting, New Orleans, LA. February 2017.
“The Effect of Non-Toxic Cleaners on Presumptive Blood Tests-Does “Green” Make a Difference?” Poster presentation, American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting, Chicago, IL. February 2011.
“Looks Can be Deceiving-The Cold Case of Adele Curtis.” Invited technical presentation, Bode Technology 5th Annual Advanced DNA Technical Workshop, San Diego, CA. April 2008
Spring 2021 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
Fall 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
PTX 484 | Internship |
ACO 484 | Internship |
FOR 484 | Internship |
LSC 484 | Internship |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Summer 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
FOR 394 | Special Topics |
LSC 484 | Internship |
FOR 484 | Internship |
ACO 484 | Internship |
LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Spring 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 370 | Mod Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Fall 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
LSC 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Summer 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Spring 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 290 | Hist Perspect of Forensic Sci |
FOR 370 | Mod Practices in Forensic Sci |
HON 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 401 | Forensic Toxicology |
PTX 401 | Forensic Toxicology |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
Fall 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Summer 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 388 | Research for Natural Sciences |
LSC 388 | Research for Natural Sciences |
FOR 484 | Internship |
Spring 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 290 | Hist Perspect of Forensic Sci |
FOR 370 | Mod Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 401 | Forensic Toxicology |
FOR 485 | For Sci Capstone |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Fall 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Summer 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 484 | Internship |
Spring 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 370 | Mod Practices in Forensic Sci |
HON 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 401 | Forensic Toxicology |
LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 493 | Honors Thesis |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Fall 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 286 | Prin. of Forensic Science |
FOR 410 | Prof Practices in Forensic Sci |
FOR 484 | Internship |
FOR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
LSC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
FOR 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Summer 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
FOR 394 | Special Topics |
FOR 484 | Internship |
American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Fellow
American Board of Criminalistics, Diplomate
Council of Forensic Science Educators, Member
American Board of Crime Laboratory Directors, Academic Affiliate
California Association of Criminalists, Member (1998 - Present)
Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, Member (1998 - Present)