Profiles

Wendy Gruhl

About

Ms. Gruhl is an Advanced Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago in the Forensic Science Program. She received her bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Chemistry from the University of Minnesota - Duluth and her M.S. in Forensic Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  

She began her career in biotechnology, working at NatureWorks LLC in research & development of lactic-acid producing microbes before moving into forensic science.  She spent 13 years with the Illinois State Police in the biology-DNA section.  She performed body fluid testing and DNA analysis on cases ranging from burglaries to homicides.  During her time with ISP, she analyzed thousands of cases, assisted in training of new analysts, and worked on pilot projects for the implementation of new technologies, including probabilistic genotyping.  She spent two years of her career focused on sexual assault evidence and was part of a working group to implement a Direct-to-DNA approach to sexual assault kits, improving efficiency and reducing backlogs.  She has testified over 30 times, in both criminal and civil cases.

Courses Taught

FRSC 370 & FRSC 370L (Forensic Biology & Forensic Biology Lab)

FRSC 371 (Forensic Molecular Biology with Lab)

FRSC 390 (Forensic Science Internship)

FRSC 394 (Forensic Science Research)