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.
Interested in reserving an exclusive presentation with a speaker during your visit to the Creation Museum or Ark Encounter?
Request an Exclusive Speaker PresentationJustin is invited to meet two kids from another country—and he’s sure it’s going to be scary. Find out what really happens when he meets Chika and Udo!
When a thunderstorm hits, Justin and Jessie are worried there might be another flood like Noah’s. But the kids learn about God’s rainbow promise.
Justin and Jessie visit the Ice Age exhibit at the zoo. But is it true what the signs say? Were these animals really living a million years ago?
Justin helps his dad clear the area to build his new fort and finds out about “Pokes & Prickles”—the hard way.
Justin is so confused! Everyone keeps using the word mercy. Will Justin ever find out what mercy means?
Jessie learns that even if she tries to trick her mom, God always knows what’s in her heart.
Uh oh! What did Ellie do? Justin and Jessie learn about the only way to cover sin—and stains in “Covering the Smudge.”
“Let’s be dinosaurs!” Matt shouted. But he believes the story about dinosaurs evolving over millions of years. How will he learn the truth about dinosaurs?
Jessie stopped short, exclaiming “What was that?” Jessie learns that even though there are difficult things in this world because of sin, God has a plan.
“Mr. Johnson’s old. I wonder if there were really 100 candles on his cake,” said Jessie. Justin and Jessie find out about some big birthdays in the Bible.
“How come there has to be a nighttime when I always have to quit,” grumbled Justin as he picked up his toothbrush. How could nighttime be a gift from God?
Jessie turned to see Justin running into the room. He had a huge smile on his face. But suddenly he screeched to a stop. “What did you DO?!” he yelled.
“Let’s be partners,” said Jessie. “Okay,” agreed Justin. They liked games, and this sounded fun: find something created on each day of Creation Week.
Justin and Jeremy learn a lesson about wolves, truth, and the Bible.
Justin and Jessie have great fun at the zoo feeding giraffes and looking at tigers and bears. But they wonder how Noah could fit all the animals on the Ark.
Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.