Deborah Stonebarger is a criminalistics subject matter expert, having been certified in Comprehensive Criminalistics by the American Board of Criminalistics. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry, she served as a senior criminalist with the California Department of Justice for over sixteen years.
During that time, Deborah received extensive training at accredited laboratories in the areas of crime scene processing and analysis, evidence collection, biological fluid analysis, DNA analysis, blood and breath alcohol, firearms, and controlled substances. She also worked in crime laboratory quality control, performing case audits in multiple disciplines in laboratories across California and serving on Technical Advisory Groups within the California Department of Justice.
Deborah’s meticulous research abilities and comprehensive knowledge of criminalistics are enhanced by her excellent analytical and writing skills. This unique combination serves her well in comprehensive discovery review and on the witness stand. Deborah has extensive legal experience including testifying as an expert witness in multiple superior courts in California. Additionally, Deborah has experience as a courtroom clerk, working directly with judges, commissioners, and attorneys in Phoenix while bolstering her knowledge of Arizona court procedures and the court system in general.
Mrs. Stonebarger has received numerous letters of commendation from attorneys and officers in California, the Texas Ranger Department of Public Safety, and the Glendale, Arizona Police Department.
Visit Deborah’s Linkedin profile for additional information.
Professional Organizations and Achievements
- Presenter, “DNA Evidence Isn’t Always the Final Word in Criminal Investigations,” California Association of Licensed Investigators Annual Conference, August 21-23, 2025
- Author, “DNA: Do Not Assume (Evidence is Not Always as It Seems),” Working PI Magazine, Spring 2025 (Volume 9)
- Interviewee, “Murder in the Emerald Triangle,” Scott Fulmer’s A Study in Crime: A True Podcast, February 4, 2025.
- Author, “Forensic Firearms Facts for Investigators,” Working PI Magazine Summer 2024 (Volume 7)
- Author, “Why a Criminalist Expert can be Helpful to Criminal Defense Investigations,” Working PI Magazine Spring 2024 (Volume 6) (https://issuu.com/workingre/docs/workingpi_issue6?fr=sYWE5OTYzMDAzNjE )
- Presenter, Arizona Public Defenders Association, 2024, “Ballistics, Blood Spatter, and Bureaucracy”
- Affiliate Member, American Bar Association, 2024-present
- Member, Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators, 2022- present
- Serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors
- Membership Chair
- Former Member at Large
- Presenter, 2024, “The Role of the Criminalist Expert in Investigations”
- Presenter, 2023 “Hunting a Hunter: The Search for Aaron Bassler”
- Allied Professional Member, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, 2024-present
- Associate Member, Arizona Paralegals Association, 2024-present
- Associate Member, California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI), 2024-present
- Associate Member, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, 2024-present
- Associate Member, National Association of Forensic Science Boards, 2024-present
- Associate Member, Texas Association of Licensed Investigators, 2024-present
- Expert Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), 2024-present
- Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, January 1999 – January 2018
- Presenter, 2015 “The Hunt for Aaron Bassler: A Multidisciplinary Case Study Incorporating Proper Crime Scene Evidence Collection, DNA, Officer-Involved Shooting, and Firearms Comparison.”
- Presenter, 2015 “The Egg Roll Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Defense: A Unique Defense Incorporating Slow Gastric Emptying Due to the Presence of Egg Rolls, Followed by Rapid Gastric Emptying Due to Vehicle Collision.”
- Moderator, 2015
- Abstract Reviewer and Moderator, 2014
- Moderator, 2010
- Attendee of the International Outreach to Italy, 2008
- Member, California Association of Criminalistics, January 2001 – January 2018
- New Member Committee, 2016
- Presenter, 2014 “The Egg Roll DUI Defense.”
- Presenter, 2013 “Real Life Rambo, the Hunt for Aaron Bassler.”
- Diplomate, American Board of Criminalistics, December 2014 – December 2019
- Certified in Comprehensive Criminalistics, certificate number 2468
- Recertification Committee, 2016
- Humboldt County Sexual Assault Response Team, January 2010-December 2013
- Member of the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners, January 2010-2014
Analytic Investigations 