MEREDITH TISE, PhD

 Ashley Luth is an accomplished forensic science professional with extensive experience in crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, and training. She serves as an instructor for Suncoast Forensics, where she shares her expertise in forensic techniques and evidence recovery with law enforcement and forensic professionals.  Since 2018, Ashley has worked at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida. She is currently an Assistant Forensic Science Supervisor where she has earned recognition for her contributions to major case investigations, hazardous materials response, and innovative forensic technologies, such as 3D scanning and reconstruction. She has served as an integral member of several specialized teams, including the Major Case Response Team, Pinellas County Hazmat Team, and 3D Reconstruction Team. She has also worked as a Field Training Specialist, where she played a key role in mentoring and developing new forensic professionals.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science from the University of Central Florida, with minors in Anthropology and Chemistry. Her dedication to excellence in forensic investigation is underscored by numerous certifications, including Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst (International Association for Identification) and FARO 3D Scanner Certification.

Throughout her career, Ashley has completed over 1,000 hours of specialized training in areas such as advanced shooting reconstruction, hazardous materials handling, bloodstain pattern analysis, and crime scene photography. 

With a passion for forensic education and a commitment to advancing investigative methods, Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to the Suncoast Forensics team.

  Dr. Kyra Stull is a board-certified forensic anthropologist (D-ABFA) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno. She earned her Ph.D. in Anatomy (Biological Anthropology) from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where her research focused on osteometric evaluations of South African children. Dr. Stull also holds a Master of Science in Forensic and Biological Anthropology from Mercyhurst College and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Dr. Stull has held several academic and professional positions, including Assistant Professor at Idaho State University and Coordinator for the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University. She also serves as an Extraordinary Lecturer at the University of Pretoria. Her extensive experience includes consulting on forensic cases, collaborating with law enforcement agencies, and conducting forensic anthropological analyses for medical examiner and coroner offices. Her research includes improving forensic methods for subadult identification to aid in age and sex estimation.

Dr. Stull's dedication to education, forensic consulting, and advancing forensic science continues to enhance forensic investigation practices across the country.

  David Villanueva is an experienced forensic professional with over 17 years of experience in fingerprint and latent print examinations. He currently serves as the Latent Print Supervisor for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, where he leads eight Latent Print Examiners, manages latent print examination casework within the Latent Unit, facilitates investigative collaboration with criminal investigators, and serves as the technical liaison for a local AFIS database, in addition to the state and national databases. 

Beginning his forensic career in 2007, David held roles ranging from Fingerprint Technician to Latent Print Examiner before assuming a leadership position in 2022. His background includes extensive practical experience in tenprint examinations, latent print comparisons, quality assurance, and courtroom testimony.

David has successfully completed Latent Print Comparison proficiency tests since 2017 and maintains active membership in the International Association for Identification (IAI) and the Florida Division of the IAI (FDIAI). He is a frequent attendee of regional and national forensic training conferences and has received specialized instruction in areas such as simultaneous impression analysis, distortion interpretation, and expert witness testimony.

As a team member of Suncoast Forensics, David brings a strong technical foundation and a commitment to advancing forensic education for professionals in latent print comparison and forensic science disciplines.

Detective Tiffany Bronson is a Major Crimes Overdose Detective with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, where she specializes in investigating drug-related deaths and overdose homicides. Since joining the agency in 2015, Detective Bronson has served in a range of investigative and enforcement roles including Patrol Deputy, STAR Team member, Property Crimes Detective, Vice and Narcotics Detective, and DEA Task Force Officer.

With over a decade of law enforcement and narcotics investigation experience, Detective Bronson has conducted more than 200 overdose and narcotics-related investigations involving digital forensics, surveillance, and source development. Her work has led to multiple state and federal indictments, including overdose homicide convictions and dismantling of drug trafficking organizations responsible for fatal fentanyl distribution.

Detective Bronson is highly trained in injury and death investigations, undercover operations, digital evidence recovery, and narcotics identification. She is certified in numerous specialized courses through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Southern Police Institute, HIDTA, and the DEA, and regularly collaborates with federal agencies to pursue complex criminal networks.

Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her exceptional investigative work, earning honors including Detective of the Year, multiple Meritorious Service Awards, and several certificates of appreciation for disaster response efforts.

A U.S. Army veteran, Detective Bronson served in the Army Reserve from 2010 to 2018 as a Seaport Operations Specialist. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Tallahassee Community College and continues to mentor new investigators as a Field Training Officer in overdose homicide investigations. 

Kristen McLeod is a board-certified Medicolegal Death Investigator (D-ABMDI) with the District Six Medical Examiner’s Office, serving Pinellas and Pasco Counties, Florida. She brings extensive experience in death investigation, forensic evidence collection, and unidentified decedent case management.

In her current role, Kristen conducts comprehensive death investigations, documenting scene findings, coordinating with law enforcement and healthcare professionals, and ensuring accurate determination of jurisdiction in accordance with Florida Statute 406.11. As the Lead Coordinator for all unidentified decedent cases in Pinellas County, she oversees the submission of cases to NamUs, facilitates DNA and fingerprint collection, and collaborates closely with forensic anthropology and odontology specialists to aid in the identification process.

Before becoming an investigator, Kristen served as a Forensic Autopsy Technician, assisting pathologists in postmortem examinations, evidence recovery, and case documentation. Her technical precision and attention to detail have been essential to the integrity of forensic operations.

Kristen earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Forensic Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating Cum Laude. She is also actively involved in professional education, regularly providing lectures to local emergency response personnel and students on medicolegal death investigation practices.