Rate My Professor Travis Worst

Dr. Travis J. Worst serves as the Director of the Ohio Attorney General’s Center for the Future of Forensic Science at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Chemistry department. He earned his PhD in Pharmacology from Wake Forest University. Prior to his appointment at BGSU in August 2016, where he joined as an Instructor of Forensic Science, Dr. Worst worked for 10 years as a Forensic Scientist at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), specializing in the Forensic Biology/DNA section and the Drug Identification section. He also held positions at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for two and a half years, contributing to the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit and the Chemical and Biological Sciences Unit.

Dr. Worst’s research specializations include the pharmacological effects of designer drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and fentanyl-like compounds, as well as various cannabinoids found in marijuana. His academic interests extend to bloodstain pattern analysis on fabrics, DNA mixture deconvolution through comparison of swab types and elution buffers, and disposal methods for fentanyl transdermal patches. Key publications comprise “Survey of bloodstain pattern analysts regarding pattern classifications on assorted fabrics” (2024), “Determination of angle of impact and directionality of drip stains on various fabrics” (2024), “Effects of the designer drug 4-methylamphetamine on core temperature and serotonin levels in the striatum and hippocampus of rats” (2024), “Fentanyl transdermal patches: Extraction and evaluation of a novel disposal method using NarcX®” (2021), and “Letter to the Editor - Elbow Grease and OxiClean™ for Cleaning Fentanyl- and Acetylfentanyl-contaminated Surfaces” (2018). At BGSU, he maintains high academic standards, promotes scholarly research, teaches various classes, serves as Faculty Mentor for BSFS students with a forensic drug analysis specialization, Graduate Coordinator for the Master of Science in Forensic Science program, Director, and Chair.