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

Topic
Mathematics

The characteristics of math reflect characteristics of God, its Creator.
Topic
Homosexuality

What does the Bible have to say about homosexual “marriage”? How should Christians respond to the ever increasing acceptance of this behavior?
Kids Landing Page
Quizzes
Collection
Réponses
Book Chapter
About the Author

from Taking Back Astronomy
Dr. Jason Lisle’s biography
Book
The Pilgrim’s Progress

The Pilgrim’s Progress is a spiritual allegory that follows the path of Christian, a man weighed down by his burden of sin. He leaves the City of Destruction and learns that nothing can remove his burden other than the cross of Christ. But that is only the beginning of his journey through life to the Celestial City.
Topic
Reptiles

Snakes, lizards, alligators, and other reptiles may or may not be your favorite animals, but certainly their brilliant design draws attention to their Designer.
Book
Why Won’t They Listen?

This revolutionary book has already opened the eyes of thousands of Christians showing why the traditional methods of evangelism are not reaching today’s humanistic, evolutionized culture. By applying proven soul-winning methods as found in the Scriptures, this book will revolutionize your witnessing. Why not encourage your pastors to read it too?
Page
Formål
Topic
Mammals

Great diversity exists within the mammal group. From koalas to deer to bats to primates to whales to cheetahs, mammals declare the glory of their Creator.
Topic
Biology

Biology, the study of living things, is a rich science filled with intricacy and complexity that demands the presence of an intelligent Creator God.
Topic
Caves

The eerie darkness of caves hosts strange growths called stalagmites and stalactites. Caves, and their features, take millions of years to form—don’t they?
Page
Απαντήσεις στην Γένεση

Answers in Genesis Ελληνικά
Video Collection
視頻

Videos
Biography
John Rendle-Short

Dr. John Rendle Short was a paediatrician in Australia for 24 years.
Topic
Creation Vacations

Opportunities to see and explore God’s amazing creation abound, whether at a national park, a Christian-themed venue, or a natural history museum.
Page
Answers VBS Testimonials
Topic
Genesis

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. It was named by the Septuagint (LXX) translators because it gives an account of the origin of all things.
Topic
Brain

The human brain is so complex that scientists have barely tapped its intricacy. The quiet workings of the brain point toward its Designer.
Topic
Stem Cells

Do the potential benefits of embryonic stem cell research justify the destruction of human life? Or is there a viable alternative?
Just Be Good for Goodness’ Sake: Is Being Good Good Enough?

Why should we be good? Without God, is there any reason why anyone should be good? And who defines what is right or good, anyway?
Topic
Big Bang

Does observational science support the big bang, the idea that 13 billion years ago all matter came from nothing and eventually formed everything we see today?
Page
Trosbekendelse
Topic
Solar System

What does our solar system, with its planets, moons, and asteroids, reveal about the origin, age, and incredible diversity of the universe?