Rate My Professor Frankie West

Dr. Frankie L. West is the Forensic Science Program Director and Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Western Carolina University, in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences. A broadly trained biological anthropologist, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in molecular anthropology with a focus on degraded DNA analysis, and a B.A. from Baylor University. Her career includes serving as Assistant Professor of Forensic Science prior to her current role. West's research interests include forensic biology, forensic genetics, genetics of ancestry estimation, molecular anthropology, ancient DNA, degraded DNA analysis, nondestructive DNA analysis, DNA analysis of soil, and ancestry and population genetics approaches to both ancient and forensic DNA. She has conducted fieldwork globally and participated in expeditions to find Amelia Earhart and DNA analysis for the slave ship Clotilda.

West teaches courses including Forensic Biology (FS/BIOL 422/522), Population Genetics for Forensic Science (FS/BIOL 330), Physical Methods in Forensic Science (FS 466), Survey of Forensic Science (FS 293), Human Genetic Variation (FS/BIOL 493), and Advanced Forensic Biology. Her publications cover forensic and ancient DNA research, appearing in journals such as American Journal of Biological Anthropology, Forensic Science International: Synergy, and Human Biology. Key works include 'Ancient DNA and bioarchaeological perspectives on European and African diversity and relationships on the colonial Delaware frontier' (2019), 'Cadaveric blood cards: Assessing DNA quality and quantity and the utility of STRs for the individual estimation of trihybrid ancestry and admixture proportions' (2020), and 'Utilization of qPCR to Determine Duration and Environmental Factors Influencing DNA Persistence in Human Cadavers' (2024). Recognized as a National Geographic Explorer, she has received WCU internal grants and supervises student research presented at university conferences, contributing to advancements in human identification and genetic analysis.