Leadership & Instructors
Global Forensic Academy is led by active forensic professionals with real case experience and certification alignment.
Dr. Alicia McCarthy
Co-Founder & Instructor
Dr. Alicia McCarthy earned a B.Sc. in chemistry and statistics from the National University of Ireland and holds M.S. degrees in forensic science, criminal justice, and business administration from Strathclyde University and Husson University, respectively. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Dundee, with a focus on how juries interpret evidence.
Alicia is a professor at Thomas College in Maine and has practiced forensic science since 2001, working for Forensic Science Ireland, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, and through private consulting. She has qualified as an expert witness in Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and in Federal Courts.
She is a member of the IAI Board of Directors, the Pattern/Impression Scientific Area Committee (SAC) of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Sciences, and is a member of the footwear tire Consensus body of the American Standards Board (ASB) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. McCarthy is certified by the IAI as a senior crime scene analyst and as a footwear examiner. In 2019 she was awarded a certificate in effective teaching (with a focus on online learning) by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Council on Education.
Alicia is a professor at Thomas College in Maine and has practiced forensic science since 2001, working for Forensic Science Ireland, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, and through private consulting. She has qualified as an expert witness in Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and in Federal Courts.
She is a member of the IAI Board of Directors, the Pattern/Impression Scientific Area Committee (SAC) of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Sciences, and is a member of the footwear tire Consensus body of the American Standards Board (ASB) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. McCarthy is certified by the IAI as a senior crime scene analyst and as a footwear examiner. In 2019 she was awarded a certificate in effective teaching (with a focus on online learning) by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Council on Education.
Kasey Buckner Brager
Co-Founder & Instructor
Kasey Buckner Brager is a Forensic Specialist with the Cape Coral Police Department and a nationally recognized instructor who has spent her career working crime scenes and examining evidence in real investigations. She teaches investigators how to approach forensic evidence using the same disciplined methods applied in the field — focusing on careful documentation, sound examination practices, and conclusions that can withstand scrutiny.
In addition to her agency work, Kasey regularly instructs forensic training courses across the United States, working with investigators and crime scene professionals who want to strengthen the skills they rely on in real casework. Her courses emphasize practical application and the reasoning behind forensic decisions, helping practitioners develop the judgment and confidence required to work evidence independently.
Kasey is certified as both a Footwear Examiner and Senior Crime Scene Analyst through the International Association for Identification and currently serves as 2nd Vice President of the Florida Division of the IAI. She has also served the organization as Regional Director, Board Member, and Chair of the Science and Practices Crime Scene Committee, supporting professional training initiatives and advancement within the discipline.
Her professional contributions include participating in OSAC forensic standards work, serving as a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, and securing Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants to strengthen forensic capabilities within her agency.
Through her instruction, Kasey focuses on helping forensic professionals move beyond simply learning techniques to developing the analytical mindset required to evaluate and interpret evidence with confidence.
Advisory & Guest Faculty
Global Forensic Academy partners with experienced subject-matter experts to support specialized instruction and advanced topics within the program.
As additional modules and disciplines are developed, guest faculty will contribute expertise in areas that complement the core training and broaden the professional perspective of participating examiners.