Biography

Laura Hernandez, M.Eng. is a practicing forensic scientist and professional instructor specializing in chemical analysis and fire debris interpretation. She serves as a Forensic Scientist at Forensic and Scientific Testing, Inc. (FAST, Inc.) and has taught continuing education courses in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fire Debris Analysis at the University of Central Florida since 2016.

Ms. Hernandez has more than twenty years of laboratory experience, including prior roles as Director of Verity Labs, Inc. and as a Forensic Scientist for both the Texas and New Mexico Departments of Public Safety. She is heavily involved in forensic standards development, serving as Vice Chair of ASTM International’s E30 Committee on Forensic Science and as a member of the OSAC Fire Debris and Explosives Subcommittee. She holds a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Microbiology from New Mexico State University.