OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Dr. Geraldine O’Donnell, a native of Donegal, joined Forensic Science Ireland in February 1992 having completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at University College Galway and a PhD at University College Galway and Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas and postgraduate work at University College Dublin.

She completed a Masters Degree in Governance at University College Dublin in 2018, an ACCA Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance, a Diploma in Management for Scientists and Engineers and a Diploma in Environmental Engineering, both at Trinity College Dublin.

She began her career in the Biology Section of FSI transferring subsequently into the DNA Section where she was central to the establishment of the DNA profiling service in Ireland. She has attended at crime scene investigations and testified as an expert witness in criminal trials.

In 2007, she was appointed Quality Manager for FSI and was responsible for the development of Quality Management processes in FSI. In this role she oversaw the accreditation to ISO 17025 of the laboratory analytical procedures and practices in the Drugs, DNA and Chemistry disciplines.

In 2015 she was appointed Director of the DNA and Biological Analysis area. She has led the introduction of the National DNA database, the missing persons service and she has responsibility for DNA operations and casework. She is also the FSI lead on the implementation of the institutional burials identification programme in compliance with the Institutional Burials Act 2022.

In January 2025 she was appointed Director General (Acting) of FSI and continues to lead the development of a best-in-class forensic organisation.

Dr Dyan Daly, B.Sc., Ph.D., graduated from Ulster University in 1991 with an honours degree in Biological Sciences and in 1996 with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. She commenced her post-doctoral career at the National University of Ireland, Galway where she worked on the development of molecular techniques for the detection of pathogens in food and water. This post included a secondment to the U.S Department of Defence, Washington D.C. In 1998, Dr Daly was employed as a research officer in the food safety department of Teagasc, The National Food Centre, Dublin. There she worked on an EU funded project to enhance the safety of Irish beef from BSE.

In 2001, Dr Daly joined Forensic Science Ireland where she has worked on the detection of body fluids, damage analysis, blood pattern analysis and DNA profiling. She has attended at crime scene investigations and testified as an expert witness in criminal trials. Since 2010 she has worked to prepare the laboratory for the DNA Database and in 2015 was appointed the first DNA Database Team manager. In 2018, she was appointed to the position of Director of Physical Analysis, the newest department in FSI.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, Dr. Daly commenced a Professional Diploma (Level 9) in Corporate Governance at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School on the Graduate Program for Executive Development.

Dr. Edward Connolly is a forensic scientist at Forensic Science Ireland, and was recently appointed to the position of Director of Science and Development. From 2022-2024, he was the Team Manager of Chemistry casework overseeing a range of evidence types including gunshot residue, explosives, accelerants, offensive sprays, paint, and glass. From 2016-2022, he was the Team Manager of DNA serious crime. His research interests include Evaluative reporting, Paint and Glass trace evidence, DNA mixture analysis, Blood pattern analysis, and Scenes of crime.

He was a collaborator on an ENFSI DNActivity Monopoly funded project 2014-17. He has publications in the area of DNA / body fluid transfer and persistence, and DNA evaluative opinion, and has been a peer reviewer for forensic science journals. He has a PhD degree in Biochemistry. Prior to joining FSI in 2005 he was a R&D scientist in industry, and previously was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge. He has a Certificate of Advance Studies in Statistics and Forensic Evaluation, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Dr. Dorothy Ramsbottom graduated in 1994 from RCSI with a PhD in Molecular Biology. Having completed postdoctoral research fellowships in Toulouse and in Trinity College Dublin, she joined Forensic Science Ireland in 1996.

Following her training as a forensic biologist she developed DNA profiling at FSI from its introduction into routine casework in 1998 through to the accreditation of the process in 2002. She has given evidence in a number of major trials relating to fatal assaults and body identifications. In 2008 she was appointed Serious Crime Team Manager, in 2015 became Customer Liaison Manager and was then appointed DNA Development and Cold Case Manager overseeing the introduction of new technologies at FSI while evaluating their use in the reinvestigation of Cold Cases.

Dorothy has been the Irish representative on the DNA Specialist group which advises the UK Forensic Regulator on DNA policy and on the DNA working group of Association of Forensic Science Providers. In January 2022, she was appointed Director of Corporate Services at FSI.

Dr. Yvonne Kavanagh joined Forensic Science Ireland in November 2018. She completed her Chemistry undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Trinity College Dublin, where she also spent a year as a chemistry lecturer. After completing postdoctoral research in Deakin University, Victoria, Yvonne joined the State Laboratory in 2004 where her initial role involved analysis of HPRA seized medicinal products. In 2008 she moved into the area of postmortem toxicology, which provides an analytical and advisory service to the Irish Coroners Service, taking over as section manager in 2013. She is a Professional member of UKIAFT and TIAFT and a past elected member of the UKIAFT council.

In November 2018 she was appointed as FSI’s Director of Chemical Analysis with overall responsibility for the Drug and Toxicology teams. She also has responsibility for Health and Safety.