Dr. Jennifer Hall Rivera

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

Interested in reserving a private presentation with a speaker during your visit to the Creation Museum or Ark Encounter?

Latest Articles by Dr. Jennifer Hall Rivera

• Magazine Department Article

  The Gender of Bones

  

  Oct. 1, 2021 from Answers Magazine

  Scientists admit that biological gender is visible in basic human anatomy and in the genetic makeup of chromosomes.

• Is Historical Science Useful?

  

  July 16, 2021

  Theistic evolutionary curriculum Integrate fails to distinguish between empirical and historical science & how worldview affects our entire perspective.

• Magazine Department Article

  Marsupial Fingerprints: These Hands Were Made for Gripping

  

  June 20, 2020 from Answers Magazine

  The amazing design of fingerprints helps us get a good grasp on God’s Word.

• Magazine Department Article

  Close, But Not Close Enough—Fingerprints

  

  Jan. 1, 2019 from Answers Magazine

  Evolutionists claim that this similarity between humans and primates is evidence of common ancestry. Closer study verifies differences that point to a common Designer.

• In-Depth Article

  Can Forensic Science Trace the World’s Origins?

  

  Jan. 19, 2017 from Answers in Depth

  One of the most popular facets of science right now is forensics. But no investigative science is more accurate than an eyewitness account.

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