Senior Research Forensic Scientist, RTI International
Biography
Ruth E. Winecker, Ph.D. F-ABFT (SPHERE-AJR-CFS) The Center for Forensic Science welcomed Ruth Winecker in August of 2018 as a Senior Research Forensic Scientist to support the National Laboratory Certification Program. In April 2019, she assumed the role of Director of that project and in May accepted the role of Director for the newly formed Quality Assurance and Proficiency Program within the Center of Forensic Sciences. Ruth came to RTI International after retiring from more than 20 years of service with the State of North Carolina where she was the Chief Toxicologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (NC-OCME) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Under her direction since 1999, she was responsible for all aspects of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) accredited laboratory including analytical testing, records maintenance and review of testing for >11,000 medical examiner cases per year.
Dr. Winecker has published more than 80 articles, book chapters and abstracts related to forensic toxicology whose topics include analytical methodology, reviews of therapeutic and abused drugs, the toxicology of metals, and the measurement of therapeutic and abused drugs in alternative matrices. She is an active member of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), the Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT) and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT). In addition, she has chaired and co-chaired workshops and presented various topics in the scientific sessions at these annual conferences since 1998, and has served as the President, Vice President, Secretary and Director of SOFT and director and Vice-President of AAFS. Currently, Dr. Winecker serves as Treasurer for the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), as an appointee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees subcommittee on Toxicology, The Academy Standards Board and on the editorial boards of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology and the TIAFT Bulletin. She is the task leader for the Standard for a Quality Control Program in Forensic Toxicology Laboratories document. In February 2019, she accepted the Rolla N. Harger Award for outstanding contributions to the field and practice of forensic toxicology at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a professional society dedicated to the application of science to the law.
Dr. Winecker has published more than 80 articles, book chapters and abstracts related to forensic toxicology whose topics include analytical methodology, reviews of therapeutic and abused drugs, the toxicology of metals, and the measurement of therapeutic and abused drugs in alternative matrices. She is an active member of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), the Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT) and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT). In addition, she has chaired and co-chaired workshops and presented various topics in the scientific sessions at these annual conferences since 1998, and has served as the President, Vice President, Secretary and Director of SOFT and director and Vice-President of AAFS. Currently, Dr. Winecker serves as Treasurer for the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), as an appointee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees subcommittee on Toxicology, The Academy Standards Board and on the editorial boards of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology and the TIAFT Bulletin. She is the task leader for the Standard for a Quality Control Program in Forensic Toxicology Laboratories document. In February 2019, she accepted the Rolla N. Harger Award for outstanding contributions to the field and practice of forensic toxicology at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a professional society dedicated to the application of science to the law.
