More About Eric

Originally from Georgia, Eric earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. His professional background includes roles within the state crime laboratory systems of Florida and New Mexico, as well as providing support to the Department of Defense and the intelligence community both domestically and overseas.

Eric now lives in College Park, Georgia. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, exploring history, and tackling DIY projects around the house.

About Fair Forensics

2025 - Present

Forensic Serology & DNA Expert, Owner and operator of Fair Forensics Consulting, College Park, GA
Mr. McCombs founded Fair Forensics Consulting in 2025 to provide defense and prosecuting counsel services such as case review, training,
expert witness consultation and testimony.

2023 - 2024

Forensic Biologist, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Forest Park, GA
Examined items for biological material including blood, semen, saliva, and contact samples. Interpreted DNA results (STR and Y-STR), performed comparisons, and complex mixture analysis via probabilistic genotyping software (STR-mix).

2017 - 2023

Forensic Biologist, Defense Forensic Science Center, Forensic Exploitation Directorate (U.S. Army), Forest Park, GA
Required rotational deployments outside the continental United States. Examined items for biological material including blood, hair, and contact samples. Interpreted DNA results (STR & Y-STR), performed comparisons, and complex mixture analysis via probabilistic genotyping software (STR-mix). Trained new hires and presented capability demonstrations to customers on probative evidentiary value, evidence collection, general capabilities, etc. Managed many aspects of the DNA laboratory.

2014 - 2017

QA Laboratory Technician, St. Marks Powder, Tallahassee, FL
Non-forensic related experience. Analyzed ball powder propellant for moisture content and chemical composition via gas and high-performance liquid chromatography.

2013 - 2016

Forensic Serology & DNA Expert, Wright Forensic Consulting, Tallahassee, FL
Provided as needed consultation and expert testimony to defense and prosecuting counsel in the areas of Serology & DNA through Wright
Forensic Consulting. Testified two times relating to the consultation provided. Additional case consultations are included below.

2012- 2012

Forensic Biologist, Signature Science

Four-month contract supporting DoD operations outside the continental United States. Examined items for biological material including blood and hair with an emphasis on contact samples. Interpreted DNA results, performed comparisons, and complex mixture analysis. Managed many aspects of the DNA laboratory.

2009- 2011

Forensic Biologist, BAE Systems

Supported DoD operations outside the continental United States. Examined items for biological material including blood and hair with an
emphasis on contact samples. Interpreted DNA results, performed comparisons, and complex mixture analysis. Presented capability
demonstrations to customers on probative evidentiary value, evidence collection, general capabilities, etc. Mentored and trained local security force partners. Managed many aspects of the DNA laboratory.

2007 - 2009

Forensic Biologist, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Santa Fe, NM

Performed serology & DNA casework for state government. Examined evidence for biological material including blood, semen, hair, and contact samples. Interpreted DNA results, performed comparisons and complex mixture analysis. Testified approximately one time in NM relating to the evidence analyzed.

2005 - 2007

Crime Laboratory Analyst, Biology section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Jacksonville, FL

Performed serology & DNA casework including criminal parentage for state government. Examined evidence for biological material including blood, semen, and hair and conducted serological exams including species specificity. Interpreted DNA results, performed comparisons and complex mixture analysis. Testified approximately nine times in FL relating to the evidence analyzed.

2002 - 2005

Forensic Technologist, Biology section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL
Assisted casework examiners in the examination of evidence for biological material and conducted serological exams for blood, semen, and saliva. Also performed DNA quantification and QC laboratory support functions such as decontamination and instrument maintenance.

Professional Experience

Eric McCombs

Expert Witness -Forensic Serology & DNA

Eric McCombs is an expert witness consultant in the areas of Forensic Serology & DNA (STR and Y-STR) with an excess of 20 years of experience as a casework laboratory practitioner. His expertise includes techniques in body fluid identification, complex DNA mixture analysis, comparisons, Y-STRs, STR-mix (probabilistic genotyping), random match probability, likelihood ratio, and an exposure to a wide array of different types of evidence substrates. He is particularly skilled at casefile technical review, mixture analysis and comparisons, and contextual information management. He has acquired extensive experience with the concepts behind transfer, persistence, prevalence, and recovery in addition to processing a high volume of low-level DNA samples and complex mixtures resulting in difficult interpretations. Eric has completed the ANAB and FBI QAS auditor training and has audit experience. Additionally, he has managed many aspects of a DNA laboratory and has a training background. His experience working in the Florida and New Mexico state crime lab systems as well as supporting the Department of Defense at home and abroad makes him uniquely qualified. 2013-2016, Mr. McCombs began offering his expertise as an independent consultant on an as needed basis and has felt drawn to full-time consulting ever since. Mr. McCombs is now owner/operator of Fair Forensics Consulting and looking forward to putting his practical and relevant experience to work for you providing case review, training, expert witness consultation and testimony.

Testified as an expert in Forensic Serology & DNA approximately 12 times.

Expert Testimony

State of Florida vs. Joel A Beauchemin, 1st Judicial Circuit (2016), Robbery, Testified as an expert in DNA. Deposition.
State of Florida vs. Jaekwon Moran, 4th Judicial Circuit (2016), Robbery, Testified as an expert in DNA. Deposition. Trial.
State of Florida vs. Nicholas Agatheas, 15th Judicial Circuit (2015), Homicide, Consultation.
State of Florida vs. Mark Osterback, Sexual Assault, Consultation for private individual.
State of Florida vs. Matthew Watson, 4th Judicial Circuit (2014), Sexual Assault, Consultation.
State of Florida vs. Leslie Johnson, 1st Judicial Circuit (2014), Robbery, Consultation.
State of Florida vs. Christopher Blakely, 2nd Judicial Circuit (2013), Lewd and Lascivious Battery, Consultation.

Consulting Experience

HIDS 2024, ThermoFisher Scientific, Forest Park, GA (Virtual), 2024.
Instructor Development Course (IDC 2205), Transportation Security Administration, Atlantic City, NJ, 2022.
STR Wars: The Rise of Sequencing, 73rd American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Forest Park, GA (Virtual), 2021.
Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG): Practical Aspects of Implementation for Law Enforcement and Criminalists, 2021.
The Corrective Action Process and Cause Analysis for Forensic Service Providers, ANSI National Accreditation Board, Forest Park, GA (Instructor-led Remote Training), 2021.
QAS Quality Assurance Standards Auditor Assessment, Federal Bureau of Investigation Forest Park, GA (Virtual), 2020.
Forensic ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Internal Auditor Training, ANSI National Accreditation Board, Defense Forensic Science Center, Forest Park, GA, 2020.
DNA Mixture Interpretation Principles: Observations from a National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific Foundation Review, 71st American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Baltimore, MD, 2019.
DNA Workshop and Entomology Workshop, 131st California Association of Criminalistics Seminar, San Francisco, CA, 2018.
Forensic Examiner Biologist Training Program, Defense Forensic Science Center Forensic Exploitation Directorate, 2018.
Introducing Next Generation Sequencing to the Crime Lab, Southern Association of Forensic Scientists 50th Anniversary Meeting, Sarasota, FL, 2016.
Massively Parallel Sequencing of Forensic Loci Demystified: An Explanation of the Data Produced, Southern Association of Forensic Scientists 50th Anniversary Meeting Sarasota, FL, 2016.
Courtroom Testimony Techniques, Success Instead of Survival, Ron Smith & Associates, Inc., New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Santa Fe, NM, 2008.
Advanced DNA Technical Workshop, Bode East Coast Seventh Annual, Captiva Island, FL, 2008.
3130/3130xl Genetic Analyzer & GeneMapper ID Software, Applied Biosystems, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Jacksonville, FL, 2007.
Advanced DNA Technology Workshop & Statistics in the Courtroom, Bode East Coast Fifth Annual, Captiva Island, FL, 2006.
Crime Laboratory Analyst Training Program/Biology Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Jacksonville Regional Operations Center, 2006.
Forensic Technologist Training Program/Biology Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center, 2003.

Specialized Training

Civilian Service Commendation Medal, Department of the Army, 2020.
Certificate of Appreciation for dedication and support, 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, Task Force Cyclone, 2018.
Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, Department of the Army, 2018.
Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service, Defense Intelligence Agency, 2012.
Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding performance, 10th MP Battalion (CID), Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facilities, 2011.
Certificate of Appreciation for training, Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facilities, Combined Joint Inter Agency Task Force 435, Forensics branch within Afghan National Police, 2011.
Certificate of Appreciation for sacrifices and contributions, 393rd MP Battalion (CID), Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facilities, 2010.
Certificate of Appreciation for training, Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facilities, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division, Iraqi security forces, 2009.
Certificate of Appreciation for meritorious service, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, 2007.

Honors and Awards

Florida JAC – Justice Administrative Commission.
North Carolina IDS – Office of Indigent Defense Services.
Georgia GPD - Georgia Public Defender Council.
Maryland CDAA - Criminal Defense Attorney's Association.