Publications

The Elkins lab is a part of the TU Human Remains Identification Laboratory (THRIL) focused on optimizing DNA recovery from human remains and body fluid samples and performing DNA typing and identification using next generation sequencing (NGS). The Elkins lab also applies chemical instrumentation including ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, GC-MS, NMR, color tests, and microscopy to the analysis of drugs, new psychoactive compounds, herbal supplements, and trace evidence and develops PCR high resolution melt assays for the detection of ‘legal high’ plants and foodborne pathogens.

Journal Publications (Google Scholar) (*undergraduate coauthor, **graduate coauthor)

  1. Alley, S.**; Kollmann, D.D.; Simao, F; Elkins, K.M. “DNA Recovery from Phalanx, Femur and Tibia Human Skeletal Remains: A Comparative Study,” Forensic Science International 2025, submitted.
  2. Elkins, K.M. “A Collaborative Model to Standardize Forensic DNA Education and Training in the Academic and Professional Environment,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2025, 7(1).
  3. Elkins, K.M.; Joseph, S.**; Skrant, C.** “Survey on Forensic DNA Biology Training in Forensic Science Service Laboratories in the United States,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2025, 70(1):61-72. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15671
  4. Elkins, K.M. “Laboratory curriculum for a survey of forensic chemistry,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2024, 6(2). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/article/view/114/114
  5. Norman, L.; Gough, L.; Hemm, M.; Doyle, J.; Elkins, K.M.; Jara, B.; Miranda, R. “Integrating a DEI Focus into a CURE Development Model Across STEM Departments,” SPUR: Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research, 2024, 7(4): 61-72.
  6. Carr, S.M.**; Elkins, K.M. “Development of Polymerase Chain Reaction–High-Resolution Melt Assay for Waterborne Pathogens Legionella pneumophila, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Camplobacter jejuni,” Microorganisms 2024, 12(7):1366. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071366
  7. Wallace, R.M.*; Elkins, K.M. “A study of data sharing by authors published in scientific journals,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2024, 6(1). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/article/view/113
  8. Raje S.; Croce K-A.; Neff N.**, Stitzel S., Elkins K.M., “Out of School Engagements in Forensic Science on a College Campus,” Journal of College Science Teaching, 2024, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2024.2382210.
  9. Gorr, K.**; Kollmann, D.D.; Gulbronson, C.; Elkins, K.M. “A Forensic Case Study of Vivianite Encrustation on Historical Skeletal Remains Found in Maryland, United States,” Historical Archeology, 2023, 57(4): 1416-1428, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-023-00447-7.
  10. Croce, K.-A.; Elkins, K.M.; Raje, S. “The power of out of school engagements: Developing high school students’ identities as forensic scientists,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2023, 5(1), https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/article/view/93/79.
  11. Elkins, K.M.; Collins, S.G., Valais, T.; Westerman, P. “Unlocking Barriers to Learning: Trauma-Informed Faculty Professional Development,” Journal of Faculty Development, 2023, 37(2):90-93.
  12. Elkins, K.M.; Garloff, A.**; Zeller, C.B. “Authors’ response,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15435. Response to Kayser M comment.
  13. Elkins, K.M.; Garloff, A.**; Zeller, C.B. “Authors’ response,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2023, 68(3):1092. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15252. Response to Wendt FR comment on previous article, https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15251.
  14. Elkins, K.M.; Garloff, A.**; Zeller, C.B. “Additional predictions for forensic DNA phenotyping of externally visible characteristics using the ForenSeq and Imagen kits,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2023, 68(2):608-613. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15215.
  15. Robbins, L.**; Elkins, K.M. “The Use of Various Techniques to Detect Latent Prints on Spent Cartridge Casings Submerged in Water Over Time,” The Lone Star Forensic Journal (TDIAI), 2023, 77(1):4-11. https://tdiai.wildapricot.org/journal.
  16. Elkins, K.M.; Kollmann, D.D.; Bowie, P.*; Chart, T.**; Gorr, K.K.**; Hutson, B.*; Kiesel, B.D.**; Klavens, A.**; Zeller, C.B. “Using DNA to Develop a Profile of Phenotypic Characteristics of Historic Period Human Remains,” Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 2022, 8, 291-293.
  17. Reese, K.R.**; Elkins, K.M. “Simultaneous Detection of Foodborne Pathogens using a Real-Time PCR Triplex High-Resolution Melt Assay,” Applied Microbiology, 2022, 2(3), 453-459; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol2030034.
  18. Elkins, K.M.; Zeller, C.B. “Approaches for teaching body fluids analysis for remote learning,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2021, 3(1). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse/article/view/49/48
  19. Klavens, A.**; Kollmann, D.D.; Elkins, K.M.; Zeller, C.B. “Comparison of DNA Yield and STR Profiles from Five Regions of Femur and Tibia Long Bones,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2021, 66(3), 1104-1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14657.
  20. Elkins, K.M.; Zeller, C.B. “What is the CURE for limited DNA? A forensic science course focused on NGS,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(2). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse/article/view/31/42
  21. Ryan, A.L.**; O’Hern, C.P.**; Elkins, K.M. “Evaluation of Two New Methods for DNA Extraction of “Legal High” Plant Species,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2020, 65(5), 1704-1708. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14478.
  22. Zeller, C.B.; Elkins, K.M. “Simulation of population sampling and allele frequency, linkage equilibrium, and random match probability calculations,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(1). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse/article/view/18
  23. Elkins, K.M.; Fambegbe, I.* “Case Studies and Methods for Teaching Professional Ethics for Forensic Science Students,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2020, 2(1). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse/article/view/17
  24. Bender, A.C.*; Faulkner, J.A.**; Tulimieri, K.**; Boise, T.H.*; Elkins, K.M. “High resolution melt assays to detect and identify Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridioides difficile bacteria,” Microorganisms, 2020, 8(4), 561, https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8040561.
  25. Cowan, A.F.**; Elkins, K.M. “Detection and identification of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and marijuana (Cannabis sativa) by a real-time PCR high resolution melt duplex assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2020, 65, 52-60.
  26. Elkins, K.M. “Nuclear Forensics: History, Selected Cases, Curriculum, Internship and Training Opportunities and Expert Witness Testimony,” Journal of Forensic Science Education, 2019, 1(1). https://jfse-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/jfse/index.php/jfse/article/view/2
  27. Kiesel, B.**; Elkins, K.M. “Development of a PCR high resolution melt assay for Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and a triplex assay with two additional “legal high” species Datura stramonium (jimson weed) and Merremia tuberosa (Hawaiian woodrose),”Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2019, 64, 1817-1822.
  28. Cowan, A.F.**; Elkins, K.M. “Detection and identification of Psilocybe cubensis DNA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction high resolution melt (PCR-HRM) assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018, 63, 1500-1505.
  29. Elkins, K.M.; Perez, A.C.U.**; Quinn, A.A.** “Simultaneous identification of four “legal high” plant species in a multiplex PCR high resolution melt assay,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2017, 62, 593-601.
  30. Quinn, A.A.**; Elkins, K.M. “Analysis of ATR FT-IR Spectra to Differentiate Menstrual and Venous Blood on Various Substrates,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2017, 62, 197-204.
  31. Eychner, A.M.**; Schott, K.M.*; Elkins, K.M. “Assessing DNA Recovery from Chewing Gum,” Medicine, Science and the Law, 2017, 1, 7-11.
  32. Elkins, K.M.; Weghorst, A.**; Quinn, A.A.**; Acharya, S. “Color Quantitation for Chemical Spot Tests for a Controlled Substances Presumptive Test Database,” Drug Testing and Analysis, 2017, 9, 306-310.
  33. Elkins, K.M.; Perez, A.C.U.**; Sweetin, K.C.** “Rapid and inexpensive species differentiation using a multiplex real-time PCR high resolution melt (HRM) assay,” Analytical Biochemistry, 2016, 500, 15-17.
  34. Eychner, A.M.**; Lebo, R.J.*; Elkins, K.M., “Comparison of proteases in DNA extraction via qPCR,” Analytical Biochemistry, 2015, 478, 128-130. DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.08.030
  35. Krummel, J.N.*; Russell, L.N.*; Haase, D.N.; Schelble, S.M.; Tsai, E.; Elkins, K.M. “Application of High-field NMR Spectroscopy for Differentiating Cathinones for Forensic Identification,” Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal, 2015, 5, http://publish.wm.edu/caaurj/vol5/iss1/1/
  36. Acharya, S.; Khatiwada, S.*; Elkins, K.M. “CSI-Pi: A novel automated secure solution to interpret on-site colorimetric tests,” Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal, 2015, 5, http://publish.wm.edu/caaurj/vol5/iss1/2/
  37. Elkins, K.M.; Gray, S.E.**; Krohn, Z.M.** “Evaluation of Technology in Crime Scene Investigation,” CS Eye, 2015, 24-29. https://www.csofs.org/write/MediaUploads/Publications/CSEye/CSEye_April_2015.pdf
  38. Elkins, K.M. “Teaching Quantum Numbers Using Candy: An Activity for a General Chemistry Course,” The Chemical Educator, 2014, 19, 229-231.
  39. Elkins, K.M. “Curriculum and Course Materials for a Forensic DNA Biology Course,” Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 2014, 42, 15-28.
  40. Elkins, K.M.; Kadunc, R.E.* “An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment for Upper-Level Forensic Science Courses: The Use of TPOX Single Locus Primers to Amplify Human DNA by Real-time PCR with SYBR Green Detection,” J. Chem. Educ., 2012, 89, 784-790.
  41. Elkins, K.M. “Rapid Presumptive ‘Fingerprinting’ of Body Fluids by ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy,” J. Forensic Sci., 2011, 56, 1580-1587, DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01870.x.
  42. Elkins, K.M. “Designing PCR primer multiplexes in the forensic laboratory,” J. Chem. Educ., 2011, 88, 1422–1427, DOI: 10.1021/ed100676b.
  43. Elkins, K.M.; Traudt, E.M.*; Dickerson, M.A.* “Fluorescence Characterization of the Interaction Suwannee River Fulvic Acid with the Herbicide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy )propionic acid in the Absence and Presence of Aluminum,” J. Inorg. Biochem. 2011, 105, 1469-1476, 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2011.08.009.
  44. Elkins, K.M. “An in silico DNA cloning experiment for the biochemistry laboratory,” Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 2011, 39, 211-215.
  45. Bongini, R.E.*; Culver, S.B.*; Elkins, K.M. “Engineering Aluminum Binding Affinity in an Isolated EF-hand from Troponin C: A Computational Site-directed Mutagenesis Study,” Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2007, 101, 1251-1264.
  46. Larrivee, E.M.*; Elkins, K.M.; Andrews, S.E.*; Nelson, D.J. “Fluorescence Characterization of the Interaction of Al3+ and Pd2+ with Suwannee River Fulvic Acid in the Absence and Presence of the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid,” Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2003, 97, 32-45.
  47. Elkins, K.M.; Larivee, E.*; Nelson, D.J. “Spectroscopic Characterization of the Interaction of Al3+ and Pd2+ with Suwannee River Fulvic Acid,” Proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Conference of the International Humic Substances Society, 2002, 418-420 (four-page extended abstract).
  48. Elkins, K.M.; Nelson, D.J. “Spectroscopic Approaches to the Study of the Interaction of Aluminum with Humic Substances,” Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2002, 228, 205-225.
  49. Fahie, K.*; Pitts, R.*; Elkins, K.M.; Nelson, D.J. “Molecular Dynamics Study of Ca2+ Binding Loop Variants of Silver Hake Parvalbumin with Aspartic Acid at the ‘Gateway’ Position,” Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2002, 19, 821-837.
  50. Elkins, K.M.; Nelson, D.J. “Fluorescence and FT-IR Spectroscopic Studies of Suwannee River Fulvic Acid Complexation with Aluminum, Terbium and Calcium,” Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2001, 87, 81-96.
  51. Elkins, K.M.; Fahie, K.*; Pitts, R.*; Revett, S.P.; Nelson, D.J. “Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Metal Binding Properties of Mutational Variants of a Functional Fragment of Silver Hake Parvalbumin (Isoform B),” Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2001, 18, 938 (abstract).
  52. Elkins, K.M.; Gatzeva-Topalova, P.Z.; Nelson, D.J. “Molecular Dynamics Study of Ca2+ Binding Loop Variants of Parvalbumin with Modifications at the ‘Gateway’ Position,” Protein Engineering, 2001, 14, 115-126.
  53. King, N.M.; Elkins, K.M.; Nelson, D.J. “Reactivity of the Invariant Cysteine of Silver Hake Parvalbumin (Isoform B) with Dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) and the Effect of Differing Buffer Species on Reactivity,” Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 1999, 76, 175-185.

Invited Book Chapters

  1. Brinkmann, L.**; Kaur Chana, N.**; Elkins, K.M. “An overview of Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and Soil Microbiome Project (SMP): a Precursor of Investigative Microbiology,” In Investigative and Predictive Forensic Microbiology, Hirak Rajan Dash, ed. Elsevier Academic Press, 2026 invited, in preparation.
  2. Elkins, K.M. “Probabilistic Genotype Techniques and their Applications,” In Investigative and Predictive DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, ed., Elsevier Academic Press, November 1, 2025, ISBN: 9780443301285
  3. Alley, S.**; Elkins, K.M. “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Forensic DNA Analysis,” In Investigative and Predictive DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, ed., Elsevier Academic Press, November 1, 2025, ISBN: 9780443301285
  4. Elkins, K.M.; Marlette K.** “Chapter 25: Spectroscopic Analysis of Counterfeit Wood Products and Application of Forensic Botany to Solve Criminal Cases,” In Advances in Forensic Biology and Genetics, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora Al Snan, eds., Springer Nature, May 16, 2025. ISBN: 9789819645848
  5. Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 10: Publication Ethics,” In Principles of Research Methodology and Ethics in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vikas Anand Saharan, Hitesh Kulhari, Hemant R. Jadhav, eds., Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, August 30, 2024. ISBN: 9780367538002
  6. Skrant, C.**; Grabylnikov, I.**; Zeller, C.B.; Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 10: Differentiating Monozygotic Twins using NGS,” In NGS Technology in DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora R. Al-Snan, eds., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 185-194.
  7. Benitez, R.**; Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 14: Forensic Analysis of Hair using NGS Technology,” In NGS Technology in DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora R. Al-Snan, eds., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 279-288.
  8. Malbrough, J.**; Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 19: NGS Profiling of Water and Soil Microbial DNA in Forensic Science,” In NGS Technology in DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora R. Al-Snan, eds., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 375-385.
  9. Smirnova, D.**; Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 23: Application of Next Generation Sequencing Technology and Investigative Genetic Genealogy to Cold Cases,” In NGS Technology in DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora R. Al-Snan, eds., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 451-468.
  10. DeAngelo, T.M.; Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 28: Ethical Issues of Forensic Application of NGS Technology,” In NGS Technology in DNA Analysis, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Kelly M. Elkins, Noora R. Al-Snan, eds., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 539-550.
  11. Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 7: Trends in counterfeit drugs and toxicology,” In Trends in Counterfeit Drugs, Kelly M. Elkins, ed., Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, July 6, 2023, pp. 145-150. ISBN: 9781003183327
  12. Elkins, K.M.; Fallang, H.A.** “Chapter 5: Fentanyl adulteration of drugs and seizure trends,” In Trends in Counterfeit Drugs, Kelly M. Elkins, ed., Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, July 6, 2023, pp. 75-86. ISBN: 9781003183327
  13. Elkins, K.M. “Chapter 4: Results from a survey of trends in seized counterfeit drugs,” In Trends in Counterfeit Drugs, Kelly M. Elkins, ed., Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, July 6, 2023, pp. 63-73. ISBN: 9781003183327
  14. Elkins, K.M.; Berry H.E.**; Reese, K.R.** “Applications of NGS in DNA Profiling,” In Handbook of DNA Profiling, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Pankaj Shrivastava, and Jose A. Lorente, eds., Springer Nature, Singapore, April 15, 2022, pp. 501-518. ISBN: 9789811643170
  15. Elkins, K.M. “Ethics of Data Sharing,” In ACS Symposium Series 1401: International Ethics in Chemistry: Developing Common Values across Cultures, Susan M. Schelble, Kelly M. Elkins, eds., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 2021, pp. 113-124. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2021-1401.ch007
  16. Elkins, K.M.; Schelble, S.M. “Introduction: Leading a Culture of Ethics in Chemistry,” In ACS Symposium Series 1401: International Ethics in Chemistry: Developing Common Values across Cultures, Susan M. Schelble, Kelly M. Elkins, eds., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 2021, pp. 1-11. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2021-1401.ch001
  17. Elkins, K.M. “Pyrosequencing Primer Design for Forensic Biology Applications,” In Methods in Molecular Biology: PCR Primer Design, 3rd ed. Chhandak Basu, ed., Humana Press, New York, NY, 2021, pp. 247-259. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1799-1
  18. Elkins, K.M; Carroll, R.* “Implementation of Raman spectroscopy in an undergraduate forensic chemistry course,” In ACS Symposium Series 1305: Engaging Undergraduates with Raman Spectroscopy, Matthew D. Sonntag, ed., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 2018, pp. 53-67.
  19. Elkins, K.M.; Murphy, K.L. “Use of the Online Version of an ACS General Chemistry Exam: Evaluation of Student Performance and Usability,” In ACS Symposium Series 1235: Technology and Assessment Strategies for Improving Student Learning in Chemistry, Madeleine Schultz, Tom Holme, Siggi Schmid, eds., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 2016, pp. 211-223.
  20. Schelble, S.M.; Elkins, K.M.; Tsai, E.; Wieder, M.; Walker, R.D. “Creating Scholarship Opportunities for Undergraduate Students through use of High Field NMR,” In ACS Symposium Series 1225: NMR Spectroscopy in the Undergraduate Curriculum, Volume 3, David Soulsby, Tony Wallner, Laura Anna, eds., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 2016, pp. 183-205.
  21. Acharya, S.; Susai, G.A.**; Elkins, K.M. “Towards the Design of a Cross Platform Efficient Solution for Efficient Colorimetric Tests: A research study and pilot application demonstration,” In Communications in Computer and Information Science 618: 18th International, HCI International 2016, Proceedings Part II, Constantine Stephanidis, ed., Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, 2016, pp. 295-300.
  22. Elkins, K.M. “Primer Design for PCR Reactions in Forensic Biology,” In Methods in Molecular Biology 1275: PCR Primer Design, 2nd ed, Chhandak Basu, ed., Humana Press, New York, 2015, pp. 17-30.

PubMed

ResearchGate