History
In 2013, Matthew Cheney began interning and later became a forensic chemist at the Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory. Two relevant and important lessons Matthew learned from his mentors were: 1) quality is inversely proportional to quantity and 2) the ultimate client is not those requesting the analysis but is in fact the defendant or the accused. For each and every case, it is the responsibility of every forensic laboratory employee, from technician to upper management, to ensure that proper procedures are created and followed, the utilized science is sound, instrumentation has been appropriately validated, and testimony is proper, unbiased, and neutral. In short, every forensic scientist has a duty to the accused to 'get it right.'
It was later apparent to Matthew that the forensic and legal communities would benefit from advocating and teaching these and other important lessons. Through consulting, training, and expert testimony, Cheney Forensic Consulting aims to instill the following: Science. Ethics. Integrity. Quality.
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Cheney Forensic Consulting understands that hiring the right expert is critical to any attorney or laboratory. That is why I offer free consultations to walk through your needs and the scope of your goals.
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Founder | Owner | Consultant
Matthew Andrade Cheney, Ph.D.
In 2013, I began an internship at the Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory (PPDRCL) while continuing my studies and research as a doctoral student at Rice University. Fortuitously, a toxicology position became available months after I began my internship. I was offered the position and started working as a Forensic Chemist III while simultaneously finishing my doctoral degree. In a decision by the City of Pasadena, the Laboratory closed. This was not before I was able to learn from some of the most talented, experienced, and knowledgeable forensic chemists in the field. My mentors laid a solid foundation for the forensic chemist I have become. In 2014, I began working at the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) and brought with me the education, knowledge, and skills I learned at the PPDRCL. As a result, I added a new perspective to the organization, helping change procedures within the toxicology section and HFSC as a whole. As a consultant, I am eager to share my knowledge and unique perspective with my clients.
Education
Rice University
M.A. and Ph.D. in Chemistry
University of Texas at El Paso
B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry
Activities & Affiliations
• International Association for Chemical Testing (IACT)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS)