Kendra Lyons (Fairmont, WV) began at WVU as a freshmen in the fall of 2021. Always interested in the way things work and how to connect pieces of information to gather the full picture, forensic science fully became a passion of hers for years. She completed her bachelor’s degree in December of 2024, and is pursuing her master’s degree in order to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Her research involves investigating the potential effects of damage to firing pins that can be observed on cartridge cases and using the NIST Congruent Match Cells (CMC) algorithm to assess the degree of similarity of the cartridge cases prior to and after damage.
Why did you choose WVU?
I chose WVU not only because I lived in West Virginia my whole life, but also for the respect and accreditations this university has received, especially regarding the forensic science program.
Why did you choose to work with Dr. Morris?
I have been intrigued by firearms examination and ballistics for a long time. I was apart of Dr. Morris’ class in Fall of 2024 which really opened the door on my understanding of firearms and how intricate they can be. I enjoyed my time in his class and hoped to work with him further.