Tyler Counsil

Criminal justice and forensic science professional with 18+ years of expertise spanning death investigation, forensic analysis, law enforcement training, and higher education administration. Currently serving as Coroner for Daviess County and Director of Education & Workforce Development for Zero Abuse Project, overseeing evidence-based academic programming for 119 Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) programs across 33 states. Specialized in forensic biology, medicolegal death investigation, innovative evidence detection methodologies, and multidisciplinary training for child maltreatment investigations.

Coroner - Daviess County - Daviess County, IN

(2022-05)

• Chief law enforcement authority for medicolegal death investigations, determining cause and manner of death in compliance with Indiana Code
• Direct complex investigations involving overdose, suicide, and suspected criminal activity requiring advanced scene assessment and interagency collaboration
• Chief investigative trainer for child death investigations with the Indiana Coroner's Association and Indiana Department of Health
• Deliver training to public safety and healthcare personnel on child death investigation protocols and trauma-informed communication
• Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team founder

Director of Education & Workforce Development - Zero Abuse Project

(2019-05)

• Serve as the chief academic administrator for a national consortium of 119 university programs across 33 states. Responsibilities mirror a Deanship: overseeing curriculum fidelity, faculty development, and assessment data for Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) programs
• Design and administer comprehensive national training curriculum for law enforcement professionals (ICAC Taskforce, prosecutors, patrol officers) on child abuse investigation, digital forensics, and prosecutorial best practices
• Provide subject matter expertise, TA and consultation on advanced forensic methods, evidence collection, and interpretation for multidisciplinary teams and court-related matters, with over 800 TA requests cleared in 4 years
• Engage in national training and education RE: forensic science principles, testing results, and principles for child maltreatment and child death investigations for law enforcement, coroner/medical examiner, prosecutor, child protection, and forensic personnel; recent training vendors include but are not limited to the National Advocacy Center (DoJ), Oklahoma Commission on Children & Youth, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the New York Prosecutors Training Institute

Program Chair, Forensic Science & Associate Professor of Criminal Justice - Indiana Institute of Technology - Fort Wayne, IN

(2017-08 - 2019-05)

• Designed and launched B.S. program in Forensic Science with curriculum map and course content aimed at FEPAC accreditation
• Developed and taught specialized courses including Forensic DNA Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Forensic & Environmental Entomology
• Taught, mentored and advised 200+ students across Biology, Criminal Justice programs
• Regularly taught 4+4 course loads per semester
• Proficient in online, in-person course development with lab experiences

Forensic Scientist (Rank III), Biology Unit - Indiana State Police Laboratory - Evansville, IN

(2016-02 - 2017-08)

• Conducted advanced serology and DNA analysis on criminal case evidence in accordance with accreditation standards
• Proficient in report writing, documentation, and evidentiary chain of custody maintenance
• Successful in completing required inspections and audits for accreditation requirements and state operations
• Maintained technical proficiency in high-throughput forensic instrumentation (AB 3500, AB 7500) for casework processing

Program Chair & Associate Professor of Criminal Justice - Oakland City University - Oakland City, IN

(2012-08 - 2016-02)

• Supervised the on-campus Criminal Justice department as chair; managed four adjunct faculty and advised approximately 25 students across B.S., A.S., and online degree pathways
• Served as chief architect of the university's internally produced online Criminal Justice program, ranked #4 nationally on BestColleges.com's Best Online Criminal Justice Programs list (2014)
• Established a new Forensic Science concentration and CJ department minor; developed 10+ new courses including Crime Scene Investigation, Applied Forensic Science, Victimology, and Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Implemented a three-assessment evaluation system and graduating-student assessment rubric per Higher Learning Commission recommendations; created program mission, goals, and learner objectives using ACJS accreditation criteria
• Served as Dual-Credit Liaison (evaluating high-school instructor credentials and course equivalency) and Compliance Office liaison for hazardous-materials records
• Achieved unconditional NCATE accreditation of the Biology Education program (2014); founded the annual CJ Day student event (250+ student attendees)

Microbiologist / DNA Specialist / QA-QC Manager - HML Inc. - Muncie, IN

(2008 - 2012)

• Performed molecular and microbiological analysis in a regulatory laboratory setting, including DNA/RNA-based detection methods and pathogen identification
• Served as Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager, maintaining laboratory standards, validation protocols, and regulatory compliance
• Authored and co-authored EPA analytical methods for pathogen detection in drinking and surface water, including protocols oriented toward Department of Homeland Security response to public-water-system threats
• Contributed to validation studies for detection and enumeration of Salmonella spp. in drinking and waste water

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Science Education (Biology) - Ball State University (2011-07)

Master of Science (M.S.) - Biology - Ball State University (2008-05)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Biology - Hanover College (2006-05)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Criminal Justice - Oakland City University (2014-05)