Antoinette Vicks, DCJ

Dr. Antoinette Vicks is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus, bringing more than 15 years of specialized experience in criminal justice and medicolegal death investigation. A highly skilled forensic professional, Dr. Vicks has conducted more than 5,000 death scene investigations across multiple jurisdictions, including Texas, Michigan, and Florida. Her expertise spans death investigations, autopsy procedures, case file and medical record evaluation, medico-legal reporting, field operations, and death certification.

Dr. Vicks earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice (2019) and M.S. in Psychology (2021) from Walden University, along with a Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Investigative Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her professional appointments include service as a forensic death investigator, autopsy technician, and operations administrator supporting medicolegal and medical examiner systems. In addition to her teaching role at UAGC, she has taught at Purdue Global and Columbia Southern University.

Her research and presentations have centered on medicolegal system regulation, forensic practice, and investigative operations. Dr. Vicks has served as an academic reviewer for peer-reviewed work and maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, National Criminal Justice Association, Southern Criminal Justice Association, and Psi Chi.

Dr. Vicks remains actively engaged in the community through disaster response, homicide recovery collaboration with the FBI, and service with local shelters and international relief agencies. She is passionate about elevating medicolegal standards, strengthening forensic integrity, and preparing the next generation of justice professionals.

Accomplishments

Performed 5,000+ medicolegal death investigations involving homicide, suicide, accidental, natural death, and undetermined manners of death.

Served as Forensic Death Investigator at the Denton County and Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Offices; experience includes performing autopsies, evidence recovery, scene reporting, and chain-of-custody management.

Led medico-administrative operations as Operations Administrator for Forensic Medical Management Services.

Conducted field recovery of unidentified human remains with the FBI.

Presented “Regulating Medicolegal Death Investigations” at Walden University (2019).

Academic reviewer/editor for The Guardianship, contributing to professional scholarship in criminal justice.

Televised interview regarding the “Gabby Petito” case discussing the medical examiner’s role in the death investigation.

Provided emergency response support as disaster housing inspector (FEMA) and supervisor for American Red Cross service to armed forces and international services.

Delivered community support through women and children’s shelters, disability accessibility efforts, and homelessness initiatives.

Holds multiple professional certifications including Criminology & Profiling, TESOL, and Dispute Resolution / Family Mediation.