Justice Studies
School of Arts and Sciences

The Justice Studies Dream Team

Michael J. Kane, M.S.F.S., Ph.D.
Director of Justice Studies Programs
Mountain State University

Michael J. Kane, M.S.F.S., Ph.D. is the Director of Justice Studies at Mountain State University.  Dr. Kane has twelve years of field experience (including working for the DeRidder PD in Louisiana, the Charlotte, NC PD, as a Chief Investigator for the West Virginia Medical Examiners Office, as a Correctional Counselor for the Mountain Olive Correctional Complex in WV, and as a Military Police Correctional Specialist for the US Marine Corps.  He has been a full-time faculty instructor for seven years.  Dr. Kane holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, a M.S. in Forensic Science, and a B.A. in Law Enforcement.  He is a Certified FLETC STAR Trainer and a Certified NRA Pistol Instructor.

“Crime is a Disease . . . Be part of the Cure!”
--Michael J. Kane, M.S.F.S., Ph.D.

Andrew Wheeler, M.F.S.
Forensics Faculty
Mountain State University

Andrew Wheeler holds a Master of Forensic Science degree from The George Washington University and has over ten years of field experience in civil and criminal investigations.  He is qualified as an expert witness, and has testified in the fields of Blood Spatter and Firearms and Tool Marks.
Mr. Wheeler received the prestigious “Professor of the Year” award given by the Mountain State University Student Government Association in 2005.

“Virtue is nothing else than right reason.”
Favorite quote, from Seneca

Theodore Anglas, M. D.
Justice Studies Faculty
Mountain State University

Theodore Anglas, M. D. earned his medical doctorate at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.  He has also studied veterinary medicine at the Federal University of Para in Brazil, and at the University of San Marcos in Peru.  He specializes in forensic pathology, and forensic profiling and evidence. 

David Weaver
Forensics Faculty
Mountain State University

David Weaver is an expert in latent fingerprint identification, crime scene analysis, forensic photography, three-dimensional skull reconstruction from skeletal remains, and composite drawings from victim memories.  He has received the Governor’s Commendation from the State of Alaska and a Commendation from the Department of Immigration Naturalization Service.  He has presented technological seminars for the National Institute of Justice at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and presented new technology in a White House briefing at DEA Headquarters in Washington, DC.  Mr. Weaver has received a patent (U.S. Patent #5,348,759) for his Vapor Wand Technology; a fingerprint development technique.  He has recently filed a new patent on fingerprint development technology, which will substantially impact the ability to develop latent fingerprints at the crime scene with greater sensitivity and lower costs.

Nelson R. Staples IV, J.D.
Justice Studies Faculty
Mountain State University

Nelson R. Staples IV, J.D., earned his law degree from West Virginia University and has field experience in all three phases of police, courts, and corrections in Criminal Justice. He interned with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Cabell County Public Defender's Office, and worked as a federal corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, receiving his training from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and was presented the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2005 by the Mountain State University Alumni Association. He is a multi-year honoree for Who's Who Among America's Teachers as well as a Commissioner on the Beckley Human Rights Commission. He is MSU's advisor to the Criminal Justice Honor Society and American Criminal Justice Association and the reigning ACJA Region 4 professional division champion in Corrections, Criminal Law and Physical Agility.

"Learn to do right; seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
-The Song of Solomon - Isaiah 1:17

Bobbi Brown, Administrative Secretary
Justice Studies Programs
Mountain State University

Bobbi Brown earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Mountain State University in 2004.  Bobbi is well-known around the MSU campus for her helpful, cheerful demeanor, and is happy to offer assistance to anyone with questions about the Justice Studies Programs.  She enjoys hiking, reading, travel, and spending time with her family.  She chose to work in the Justice Studies Program because she felt it would be both a rewarding and interesting experience.  “It has proven to be both, thus far,” states Bobbi.

“Thanks for your interest in MSU’s Justice Studies Program.
If you have questions, or need assistance,
please feel free to give me a call.”
--Bobbi Brown, ‘04