Dr. Sheila Willis Receives Douglas M. Lucas Medal

The Douglas M. Lucas Medal was first established in 1999 by then-President Barry Fisher. This award is presented by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) at the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) triennial meeting to an individual who has made internationally recognized contributions to forensic science. This year's award was presented to Criminalistics Section Fellow Sheila Willis, DS.

Dr. Willis has had a distinguished career and has been practicing forensic science since 1979. She led the Irish National Forensic Laboratory for over 30 years where her entire career focused on how science can be used to investigate crime and assist the administration of Justice. She set the strategy for FSI on an ongoing basis and had responsibility for up to 100 staff.  

Her work has also extended to other countries on how best to develop laboratory standards for accreditation.

She also served as president of the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists in the United Kingdom (formerly the Forensic Science Society) and spent two years as a guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology participating in a science foundation review of DNA mixture interpretation.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Willis on receiving this prestigious award.