How Academic Collaborations Are Cracking Cold Cases- A Conversation with Dr. Chris Kunkle

Jolynn speaks to Dr. Chris Kunkle about the development of the Russell Sage College Criminal Investigative Resource Center under the leadership of Dr. Christine Lane.  At a time where the unsolved homicide cases are on the rise and a large backlog of cases are stagnant, there is a critical resource that exists to assist law enforcement with cold cases in Upstate NY- The Russelll Sage College Criminal Investigative Resource Center. Dr. Kunkle explains the motivation for creating the center and the collaboration with law enforcement agencies and their efforts to build strong relationships with the aim of effectively aiding in criminal investigations. The discussion also delves into the immersive learning experience for students,the significance of organizing and digitizing case files and his motivation for his work and what he hopes the CIRC legacy will be.

Bio: 

Dr. Kunkle is a national expert on the investigation of violent crimes, and the assessment and treatment of violent offenders. He has worked with local, state and federal agencies in his capacity as a Forensic Psychologist, Forensic Scientist and Investigation Consultant over the last 28 years.  Dr. Kunkle is dually trained in Forensic Psychology and Forensic Science and holds degrees from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, LIU-Post, and the State University of New York at Oswego. He currently serves as Deputy to the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections where he serves as the agency’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer and is also the Associate Director of the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at the Russell Sage College, which he co-founded with Dr. Christina Lane. IN addition, Dr. Kunkle is the former Chief Psychiatric Examiner for the NYS Office of Mental Health - Division of Forensic Services, a co-Founder of the Cold Case Analysis Center at the College of St. Rose, and the former President of the American Investigative Society of Cold Cases.

Dr. Kunkle’s efforts in forensic mental health have been awarded and recognized by the New York Alliance and NYSATSA, The State of NY Office of the Attorney General and his Alma Mater, LIU-Post. He has also served on multiple non-profit boards in the areas of community mental health, community protection, violence / missing person awareness, sex offender management

and youth services.

Written and researched by Jolynn Rice.  A Cold Case Advocacy Production

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