Dr. Jennifer Hall Rivera

Director of Educational Programs, Speaker and Author

The field of forensics has grown far beyond catching criminals by finding their fingerprints or footprints at crime scenes, techniques first popularized in Sherlock Holmes’ mysteries 100-plus years ago. Over the decades, investigative advancements in forensics have made significant progress and solved untold numbers of crimes. They have become a part of popular culture, including various TV programs.

Recognizing how the field of forensics can be applied to apologetics, Dr. Jennifer Rivera leads popular hands-on forensics programs at AiG’s attractions as the Director of Educational Programs. In addition to over 15 years of teaching experience in the sciences, Dr. Rivera holds an education doctorate in curriculum and instruction, an MAT with a science concentration, and a BA in criminal justice, with hundreds of training hours in the forensic disciplines. Dr. Rivera used to work in a crime scene unit in southern Florida (no, it wasn’t of CSI: Miami TV fame!) and has had multiple speaking engagements for the International Association for Identification, the largest organization for crime scene personnel.

Today, Dr. Rivera declares she’s thrilled to educate children, teens, and adults as she presents “the truth of God’s Word using science, showing how science confirms the Bible.” In addition, she leads Explore Jr., Explore Days and Exploration. These are hands-on programs (for ages 5–10, 11–18, and 18+) at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. Dr. Rivera also presents free Discover programs for daily guests at the museum. Topics include forensic fingerprint basics, forensic DNA fingerprinting, forensic hair analysis, and more. Dr. Rivera directs and teaches high school labs, such as the popular High School Lab Forensic Science program, in the new state-of-the-art laboratory at the Ark Encounter and in the lab at the Creation Museum.

Dr. Rivera’s writings include the book Work of Your Hand: Fingerprints, God, and You!, a high school textbook titled Intro to Forensic Science from a Biblical Worldview, and articles in professional journals.

On days when Dr. Rivera is not hard at work teaching or writing, she enjoys hiking and traveling.

Fun Facts

Favorite verse: Proverbs 3:5–6
Favorite forensic show on TV: Forensic Files
Food she most misses in southern Florida: Authentic Cuban cuisine
Most unusual vacation: The Arctic Circle of Alaska with her daughter; they saw the Northern Lights, went dogsledding, etc.
How she first connected to AiG: Watching a video of Ken Ham
Favorite book (excluding the Bible): Lord of the Rings trilogy

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Latest Articles by Dr. Jennifer Hall Rivera

Children Kids Justin and Jessie Chapter
Ellie’s Christmas Hope

from Justin & Jessie
Justin, his two-year-old sister, Ellie, and their parents hurried into the Christmas Tree Barn, excited to find the best Christmas tree.
Page
Operation Arctic VBS Resources

Here are some extra VBS resources to help with your Operation Arctic Vacation Bible School program.
Topic
Chemistry

Chemistry, the study of the elements that make up matter, powerfully demonstrates the complexity of life and the inability of chemicals to produce life.
Topic
Angels and Demons

Mystery, superstition, and intrigue surround the topic of angels and demons. The Bible, however, dispels these shadows and myths with clear truth.
Page
About International Outreach
Biography
Don Landis

Don Landis is the president of Jackson Hole Bible College in Jackson, Wyoming. He is also Sr. Pastor at Community Bible Church in Jackson and Chairman of the Board for Answers in Genesis.
Topic
Environmental Science

How should we view climate change, global warming, environmental conservation, and biblical stewardship? Where does the Ice Age fit into biblical history?
Topic
Creation Science

Can Bible-based creation science make successful predictions, explain the evidence, and properly explain reality?
Book
Already Compromised

Christian colleges took a test on the state of their faith and the final exam is in.
Topic
Human Evolution

Are humans simply the by-product of evolution from an ape-like ancestor or were they lovingly fashioned by God in His own image?
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Video

Explore our collection of free, faith-building videos on topics like creation, evolution, God, the Bible, science, age of the earth, animals, and worldview.
Video Collection
Evolution Videos
Topic
Origin of Life

Big bangs and stardust, primordial soup, meteorites with amino acids, or maybe aliens seeded life on earth? A Creator God is a much more logical choice.
Blog Home
International Outreach
Topic
Bible Study

Why should we read and study God’s Word, and how should we go about it? Is Scripture clear on its own, or do we need a theology degree to understand it?
Topic
Archaeology

Archaeology brings the pages of the Bible to life as it both confirms the Bible’s account of history and expands our understanding of the world of the Bible.
Biography
Dr. Chris D. Osborne
Biography
Dr. George Hawke
Topic
What Is Life?

What mysterious quality makes a creature alive at one moment but is absent the instant the creature dies? The Bible answers the question, “What is life?”
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Time Lab VBS Curriculum

See Jesus Christ throughout history in the Answers VBS Time Lab Vacation Bible School!
Topic
Astronomy

Astronomy gives us glimpses of the incomprehensible size and complexity of the universe—proclaiming the infinite majesty and power of God.
Topic
Scopes Trial

Trial of the century! Bryan cannot defend Scripture due to old-earth compromises. Evolution in schools loses the court battle but wins the classrooms.
Video Collection
God Videos
Children Kids Justin and Jessie Chapter
Jessie’s Little Helper

from Justin & Jessie
As Jessie and Emily turned the corner, they saw something very strange—the Christmas tree was shivering. The branches shook and trembled.