DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Expert Witnesses

Kirk DeLeeuw is a highly regarded and accomplished Forensic Biology and DNA Consultant / Expert Witness both nationally and internationally. He has over 20 years of dedicated experience in Molecular Biology and Forensic Science and is well respected worldwide.

Mr. DeLeeuw's career is defined by a deep technical mastery of DNA analysis, including specialized expertise in interpreting complex multi-contributor samples using Probabilistic Genotyping Software (PGS) such as STRmix. Mr. DeLeeuw is licensed by the Texas Forensic Science Commission. He likewise has a comprehensive understanding of FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements. He applies the standards through meticulous auditing of case files, bench notes, and high-volume electronic data files and images.

Litigation Support - Beyond the laboratory, Mr. DeLeeuw is a seasoned Expert Witness, qualified to provide testimony in Body Fluid Identification / Serology and DNA Analysis across numerous jurisdictions. He has provided sworn affidavits and oral testimony in federal, circuit, and district courts in many states including Washington DC, and internationally in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands. His ability to translate sophisticated molecular biology data into clear, accessible testimony ensures that scientific integrity remains paramount during both civil and criminal litigations.

Mr. DeLeeuw maintains technical proficiency through a rigorous commitment to continuing education, frequently attending the International Symposium on Human Identification and National CODIS Conferences. His hands-on experience spans a wide array of instrumentation, including Applied Biosystems Genetic Analyzers and Hamilton robotic workstations, as well as various quantification and amplification kits. This combination of technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and proven courtroom experience allows him to provide unparalleled oversight and analysis in the field of forensic DNA.

Areas of Expertise:

Background Experience - Mr. DeLeeuw's extensive professional background includes high-level roles across private and public sectors. As a Forensic DNA Analyst at DNA Labs International, he analyzed casework from across the United States and internationally, utilizing advanced PCR/STR-based methods and various chemistries. Prior to that, he served for nearly 20 years as a Forensic Scientist for the Michigan State Police.

Ryan Larrison is a senior forensic science and public sector executive with over 25 years of experience spanning Forensic Laboratory Operations, Quality Assurance, Firearms Examination, and large-scale Program and Systems Management within the Michigan Department of State Police.

Mr. Larrison currently serves in a senior leadership role within the Information Technology Division, where he directs a multi-million-dollar portfolio of enterprise systems, operations, and project delivery. In this capacity, he oversees complex, multi-agency initiatives, aligning technical execution with operational and investigative outcomes across multiple state departments. His work includes executive sponsorship of statewide technology programs and the coordination of vendors, stakeholders, and cross-functional leadership teams in high-risk, high-visibility implementations.

Litigation Support - Mr. Larrison serves as an expert witness in cases involving laboratory analysis or laboratory quality assurance. He has been deposed and/or testified over 200 times in the past 5 years.

Areas of Laboratory Expertise:

Background Experience - Prior to his current role, Mr. Larrison served as Assistant Division Director and Quality Assurance Manager for the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division. In that role, he was responsible for the strategic direction, implementation, and oversight of quality systems across seven accredited forensic laboratories. He led all quality assurance activities, including training, corrective action programs, risk assessment frameworks, and accreditation compliance under ISO 17025 standards. His leadership resulted in a substantial reduction in non-conformities and sustained accreditation across all laboratory operations. 

Mr. Larrison has extensive experience as a program executive and project sponsor for complex forensic and evidential systems. He directed the statewide implementation of the Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing Program, including instrument selection, software integration, vendor coordination, and regulatory compliance, supported by a $2.5 million procurement process. He also led the development and implementation of a Forensic Genetic Genealogy program, establishing quality expectations, vendor deliverables, and investigative reporting standards.

As a Board-Certified Forensic Document Examiner (D-ABFDE) and Ink Chemist and Document Dating Specialist with over 33 years of experience, both Todd Welch and Gerry Laporte are world leaders in high-profile, extremely complex document cases.

Riley Welch LaPorte & Associates is the leading global forensic document firm, having conducted high-profile, multi-billion-dollar cases in the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Hungary, Israel, Switzerland, and Denmark. We are considered a top-tier firm, having conducted work for foreign governments, and are recognized globally by the most prominent law firms in the world for providing the highest level of forensic document examination services to both governmental and private entities.

Areas of Expertise:

Committed to fostering education and promoting justice, both Todd Welch and Gerry Laporte contribute to the advancement of forensic science through leadership roles, including service on the BOD for the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners and American Society of Questioned Document Examiners; served as the 40th President of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (Welch); and served as members of the National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Technology Working Group.

Both Todd Welch and Gerry Laporte have testified as expert witnesses in numerous notable international ICSID cases (ICSID Case No ARB/06/8, ICSID Case No ARB/14/22, PCA Arbitration Case No 2020-21_The Hague) involving forensic document examination, handwriting analysis, ink dating, and forgery detection.

Their litigation support experience includes testifying before government officials, international tribunals, arbitrations, and mediations. Their testimony has been presented in courts worldwide handling a wide variety of legal matters including: defamation, investment law, insurance law, medical malpractice suits, will disputes, estate disputes, contract and patent disputes, trademark disputes, divorce disputes, and trade secrets cases.

Gerry Laporte and Todd Welch have international notoriety and have testified in major courts such as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) under UNCITRAL Rules, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and appellate courts in Illinois and Washington, D.C., among others. Their involvement in high-stakes litigation across multiple geographical jurisdictions confirms their reputation and widespread professional acceptance worldwide.

Jennifer L. Naso is a board-certified Forensic Document Examiner with over two decades of experience in forensic science and questioned document examination. She has served as a Forensic Document Examiner with Riley, Welch, LaPorte & Associates since 2011, where she conducts examinations involving handwriting identification, signature authenticity, document alterations, indented writing, obliterations, document authentication, printing processes, and other aspects of forensic document analysis. In addition to conducting casework, she provides technical reviews of examinations completed by other forensic document examiners.

Prior to joining Riley, Welch, LaPorte & Associates, Ms. Naso served as a Document Analyst with the United States Secret Service (USSS), where she successfully completed the agency's rigorous Questioned Document Examiner Training Program. During her tenure with the Secret Service, she conducted examinations in support of criminal investigations involving handwriting, questioned documents, and counterfeit materials. 

George Schiro is a DNA Technical Leader - Forensic Scientist. His duties include incorporating the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) standards, accountability for the technical operations of the lab, conducting DNA analysis using the 13 STR core loci and Y STR in casework, DNA research, forensic science training and crime scene investigation.

Mr. Schiro has worked over 3500 cases and has qualified as an expert over 175 times in 31 Louisiana parish courts, Arkansas, California, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas, West Virginia, federal court, U.S. court-martial, and two Louisiana city courts. Has also consulted on cases in 29 states.

Qualified as an Expert in the Following Areas: