Influential Women Highlights Kelly Crockett: Advancing Cold Case Investigations And Mentoring Forensic Professionals

PRESCOTT, AZ, UNITED STATES, October 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Assistant Professor of Forensic Science and Founder of the Cold Case Task Force at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Brings More Than a Decade of Law Enforcement Experience to Victim-Centered Investigative Work

Prescott, Arizona – Kelly Crockett is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she is also the founder and supervising faculty member of the university’s Cold Case Task Force. Through the task force, she leads student-centered investigative initiatives that partner with law enforcement agencies to analyze unsolved cases, apply forensic methodologies, and support victim advocacy efforts. She is also involved in developing academic programming in forensic psychology and investigative methodology, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world criminal investigations. Her academic and professional focus centers on cold case investigations, investigative psychology, and evidence-based forensic practice.

Kelly’s career in forensic science and law enforcement spans more than a decade, beginning in 2010 in civilian law enforcement roles in Northern Arizona. She has served as a Sheriff Security Officer, an Instructional Specialist in a correctional setting, and an Evidence Technician with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. In these roles, she gained extensive hands-on experience in crime scene processing, evidence collection and preservation, forensic photography, latent print development, biological evidence analysis, and courtroom testimony. She also completed advanced training through the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, strengthening her command of investigative procedures and legal standards. Her specialties include crime scene investigation and reconstruction, as well as evidence analysis, handling, and chain of custody.

Kelly holds a Master of Science in Forensic Science with a specialization in Investigations from National University, along with additional certification and training in medicolegal death investigation, forensic psychology, and crime scene science. She is a member of the Council of Forensic Science Educators, the International Association of Identification, and the International Homicide Investigation Association, and she is a trainee member of the American Academy of Forensic Science. She is also engaged in collaborative initiatives with organizations such as the Sherry Black Foundation and other cold case research networks, promoting a victim-centered, interdisciplinary approach to solving unresolved crimes.

Kelly credits much of her success to the people around her. Her husband supports her in everything she does, and her daughters inspire her to be her best and to serve as a role model for them. She also credits the friends and colleagues who taught her so much throughout her career and who continue to have her back, as well as her students, whose hard work and long hours help make a difference in the field of forensics. The best career advice she has received is to never give up and to take chances, trusting that the right opportunity will come along and that persistence will lead each person to what they are meant to do.

To young women entering the field, Kelly emphasizes confidence in their abilities and encourages them not to let setbacks or stereotypes discourage them. She believes women make excellent investigators because they often see beyond what is immediately in front of them, noticing subtle details, patterns, and connections that others may miss- perspectives that are invaluable in investigative and forensic work. She urges aspiring professionals to stay curious, keep learning, and challenge themselves, while focusing on exceeding expectations and remaining resilient. She encourages them to trust in the strengths they bring to the profession. Dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance, she notes, are the strengths that build a successful and rewarding career.

Kelly speaks candidly about the mental and emotional toll forensic work can take. Practitioners often spend long periods at crime scenes and work directly with victims, including in especially difficult cases involving children or violent crime. The impact of vicarious trauma has historically gone largely unrecognized, and forensic professionals have not always received the same psychological support as other first responders. She is encouraged by growing awareness of mental health in the profession and sees it as an area where positive change is beginning. She sees greater attention to the well-being of forensic practitioners as an important step forward for the profession. At the same time, she sees remarkable opportunity in the field, as forensics continues to attract more women whose perspectives and strengths are shaping its future. Every investigation, in her view, offers a chance to uncover the truth, contribute vital evidence, and bring justice, answers, and closure to grieving families and communities. For Kelly, the lasting impact of that work is one of the most rewarding parts of her career.

The values that guide Kelly, both professionally and personally, are morality, integrity, ethics, and empathy. She believes every victim deserves dignity, compassion, and justice regardless of their circumstances. For her, forensic science carries a responsibility to speak for those who no longer have a voice, ensuring that the evidence tells their story with accuracy, respect, and impartiality. Knowing that her work can bring answers, accountability, and closure to families and communities is what gives it purpose. She draws inspiration from a passage in Shakespeare that ties a person’s honor to their very life, a sentiment that reflects how she approaches both her profession and her personal life. Honor, integrity, and ethical conduct are not abstract ideals to her but standards she works to uphold every day.

Whether processing evidence, guiding students through unsolved cases, or advocating for greater support for forensic practitioners, Kelly remains focused on mentoring the next generation of forensic professionals and helping families find answers. Through the Cold Case Task Force, her collaborations with law enforcement and cold case networks, and her commitment to ethical, evidence-based practice, she connects the classroom with the investigative world. Kelly Crockett continues to show that rigorous science and deep compassion belong together, and that the pursuit of truth can bring lasting meaning to victims, families, and communities.

Learn More about Kelly Crockett:

Through her Influential Women profile: https://influentialwomen.com/connect/kelly-crockett

Influential Women

Influential Women provides a platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative expression, Influential Women amplifies voices that inspire change.

Editorial Team
Influential Women

Media gallery