Trial / Jury Consultants

Dr. Heather Manning, Ph.D., is a Forensic Criminologist and consultant specializing in child protection, abuse prevention, institutional risk assessment, and investigative analysis. As the founder of SAFE – Sentinel Assessments & Forensic Evaluations, she provides consulting services to organizations seeking to strengthen safety practices, mitigate risk, and improve responses to allegations of abuse and exploitation.

Dr. Manning works with law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and youth-serving organizations to develop proactive systems designed to identify vulnerabilities, prevent abuse, and support effective investigative practices. Her consulting services include institutional risk assessments, policy and procedure development, investigative consultation on sexually based crimes, interview practice guidance, and the development of prevention-focused training programs.

With a background in forensic criminology and extensive experience analyzing cases involving sexual exploitation, violence, and institutional misconduct, Dr. Manning provides expert insight into offender behavior patterns, grooming dynamics, and systemic failures that allow abuse to occur within organizations.

Through SAFE, she assists organizations in building stronger safeguards by integrating evidence-informed training, risk mitigation strategies, and investigative consultation. Her work focuses on helping institutions recognize warning signs earlier, strengthen accountability systems, and create environments that prioritize the protection of children and vulnerable populations.

Dr. Manning is also available for case consultation, program development, training design, and expert analysis in both civil and criminal matters involving sexual abuse, exploitation, and institutional risk.

View Heather Manning's Expert Witness Profile.

Steven Gaskell, Psy.D. is a Forensic Psychologist, license eligible in all 50 states, and licened in Illinois, Georgia, Florida, and Kansas. He has years of extensive experience providing a variety of Forensic Psychological Evaluations and testifying regarding a variety of legal issues. Dr. Gaskell has completed more than 2000 Forensic Psychological Assessments including over 1000 pre-trial Competency to Stand Trial or Fitness to Stand Trial and Criminal Responsibility (Insanity Defense) psychological evaluations and he has provided expert testimony these issues on numerous occasions. Competency to Stand Trial/ Fitness to Stand Trial Criminal Responsibility or Sanity at the Time of the Offense Mitigating Factors Assessment Miranda Rights Issues (voluntariness, competency to confess, interrogative suggestibility) Malingering and Deception Sexual Assault Allegations Sex Offender Evaluations Sexually Violent Person Evaluations Pedophilia Paraphilias Future Likelihood of Sexual Re-Offense