FORENSIC CRIMINOLOGY CONSULTING FIRM
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jane Gray has provided expert witness testimony in numerous cases involving a wide variety of security topics. Her expertise stems from direct interviews with criminal offenders and extensive training, particularly in areas of premises liability and negligent hiring and retention. Dr. Gray's knowledge and expertise has led her to become a highly sought-after expert retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel nationwide.
SERVICES
LITIGATION SUPPORT
Dr. Gray offers expert services to attorneys in all cases requiring an assessment of foreseeability of crime including premises liability, negligent security, negligent hiring and retention and wrongful death.
CONSULTANCY
Dr. Gray offers consulting services in areas related to the design of security programs based on an understanding of criminal motivation and techniques that may deter offenders, displace crime, and reduce liability.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Dr. Gray is also a recognized speaker in matters of security, premises liability and negligent hiring and retention.
We are pleased to announce that JGA is the first organization to be granted a commercial license for the Risk Terrain Modeling software, RTMDx, distributed by Simsi, Inc., the exclusive licensee of the software program from Rutgers University. Working closely with Joel Caplan, one of the developers of RTM, we at JGA are in the process of becoming certified by the Rutgers Center on Public Security as spatial risk analysts. We look forward to being able to assist our clients in reaching their litigation goals with this powerful tool used to diagnose environmental conditions that lead to crime.
Dr. Joel Caplan's TEDx talk on Risk Terrain Modeling
JGA
TEAM
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Jane Gray, Ph.D.,
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL
Jane Gray received her Ph.D. in Sociology/Criminology from The Ohio State University in 1988. As an educator she has taught at Florida State University’s School of Criminology and Capital University where she served as Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Gray has also held the position of Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University where she taught several classes in Sociology and Criminology. In addition, she is a recognized speaker on issues related to the foreseeability or prediction of criminal events, including premises liability, negligent hiring and retention, as well as security in general.
Dr. Gray has consulted with various public and private sector agencies as well as numerous attorneys on matters concerning social science in general and criminal behavior in particular. With respect to her work as an expert witness, her expertise resides in identifying the foreseeability of crime by evaluating the environment as would a criminal offender. Her extensive research and experience with prison inmates provides the necessary framework for determining how offenders interpret environmental features in a particular location in order to estimate their risk of apprehension and the likelihood of a successful criminal outcome.
Dr. Gray's expertise has led her to become a nationally recognized expert and consultant. Her research has led her to the top of her field, and she has testified in numerous federal and state courts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Dr. Gray has testified as an expert witness regarding the foreseeability of numerous criminal events, including twelve mass shootings where she worked on behalf of both Plaintiff and Defense counsel, some of which include the 2012 mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado; the 2015 mass shooting at Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the 2016 mass shooting that occurred at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida; and the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, Dr. Gray has testified in matters involving violent crime at convenience stores, bars and restaurants, hotels, resorts, music concerts, and other entertainment venues. She also has experience in cases involving sex trafficking, ritualistic murder, and drive-by shootings. Her recognized objectivity, critical attention to detail, and her ability to advance concise and robust opinions have all contributed to her success in the legal field.
JEFF WILLIAMS,
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
JGA is pleased to introduce former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent Jeff Williams as their newest research associate. Jeff retired in October 2022 after a distinguished 22-year career with the FBI. Initially assigned to the Baltimore, Maryland Field Office, Jeff primarily worked public corruption, fraud, and money laundering investigations. During his tenure in Baltimore, Jeff led investigations involving undercover operations, search warrants, consensual recordings, and complex financial analysis. Jeff served as the lead case agent and testified as the summary witness in five trials in federal court. These investigations led to nearly two dozen convictions.
In 2006, Jeff transferred to the Columbus, Ohio Resident Agency, Cincinnati Field Office where he primarily worked public corruption and civil rights investigations. Jeff's career at the FBI was highlighted in 2013 by his appointment as Supervisory Special Agent to lead the public corruption squad. To best utilize federal, state and local investigative resources, Jeff established the Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force (Task Force) based in Columbus. Jeff oversaw all squad and Task Force operations for seven years, managing daily investigative activities, overseeing annual strategic plans, managing budgets, and liaising with Task Force partner executives. During his leadership, the Cincinnati Field Office's public corruption program and Task Force were recognized as one of the FBI's highest performing public corruption programs.
His 22 years with the FBI provided Jeff extensive experience investigating and managing complex fraud and corruption investigations. In addition, he served on the FBI's Evidence Response Team where he collected forensic evidence related to murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
Prior to his tenure with the FBI, Jeff served as a forensic scientist for the State of Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Jeff primarily conducted serological and forensic DNA analysis on evidence from sexual assault and murder investigations. Jeff testified as a court certified-expert witness on more than three dozen occasions.
Throughout his 29-year career in law enforcement, Jeff lectured and taught classes on the proper collection and preservation of forensic evidence, managing complex white collar and public corruption investigations, and the successful use of undercover operations, interception of wire communications, and handling confidential informants. Jeff has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
ASHLEY SCHULTE,
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Ashley Schulte received her B.A. in Psychology from the Ohio State University with a concentration in abnormal psychology and a minor in inequality. During her undergraduate coursework, Ashley also studied psychoanalysis at the Paris Center for Critical Studies in France and at the Council on International Educational Exchange in Prague, Czech Republic. Ashley is enrolled in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at Florida State University. She plans to pursue her Ph.D. upon completion of her Master’s.
Ashley has 4 years of experience working as a Case Manager in the Reentry department for Alvis, Inc., a non-profit that serves individuals who are involved in the prison system. In that position she specialized in facilitating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy groups on a variety of topics aimed at assisting offenders in reducing their anti-social behaviors and tendencies. During her time with Alvis, Inc. she received certification as an interviewer of the Ohio Risk Assessment System which determines an offender’s risk of recidivism based on biopsychological factors. In addition, as a Case Manager she created treatment plans that identified criminogenic ways of thinking and promoted prosocial behaviors to reduce recidivism and promote successful transitions back into society. Ashley has worked with numerous populations of offenders including individuals recovering from addiction, active drug users, survivors of human trafficking, and people with extensive histories of trauma.
JULIE DAMRON,
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Julie Damron received her B.A. in Criminology and Psychology from Capital University in 2000 and her M.S. in Criminology from Florida State University in 2022. As part of her coursework, she completed an internship at the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility. After earning her B.A., she completed 8 hours of coursework in Chemical Dependency Counseling.
Julie has 7 years of experience working as a Case Manager for Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility, which prepares offenders for successful community reentry. In that position, she facilitated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy groups under the Responsible Adult Culture program, which is designed to help offenders recognize and change patterns in thinking that lead to antisocial behaviors. She also taught lessons in anger management, social skills and social decision-making. Julie developed plans with a Staff Team for individual resident programs, monitored progress and arranged aftercare for residents upon release.
Julie also has 8 years of experience with customer service in the private sector, and 10 years of experience in an urban school setting as an Instructional Assistant. As an IA, she served in a variety of roles. Julie was a school facilitator for the Leader in Me program, which is based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She implemented the LLI program for small groups of students to improve reading skills and planned and facilitated PBIS events and rewards. During her last four years with the district, Julie was responsible for the safety and security of an urban high school building at the main entry point and the attendance and truancy intervention program, and she assisted students with de-escalation and social-emotional learning.
ASHLEY LEARNED,
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Ashley Learned received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology focused on Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies from the Ohio State University in 2022. At Ohio State, she was a research assistant in a brain and cognition circuitry lab, co-president of psychology club, and a member of Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology.
Ashley has considerable skill in the area of quantitative and qualitative research and is an important member of the JGA team. After graduation, she plans to receive her master’s degree in forensic psychology.
MADISON RILEY,
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Madi Riley is a senior at Ohio State University and will be graduating in the Spring of 2023 after only three years of study with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. Madi has emphasized research methodology and quantitative analysis in her undergraduate career and is a valuable addition to our team with respect to these skills. After graduation, she plans to enroll in a Master’s program specializing in Criminology/Criminal Psychology to further her career in the field of forensic criminology.
CONTACT JANE GRAY ASSOCIATES
(614) 975-1997
JGA NORTH
JGA SOUTH
*Primary & Mailing Address
10199 Hyland Run Rd
Plain City, Ohio 43064
3854 Kingston Blvd
Sarasota, Florida 34238
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