Southeast Law Enforcement Training Seminar

Dr. Henry C. Lee was born in China on November 22, 1938. He graduated in 1960 from the Taiwan Central Police College with a degree in Police Science. After working in the Taipei Police Department for several years as a police captain, he came to the United States to pursue further study. In 1972 he earned his B.S. Degree in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. He went on to study science and biochemistry at New York University and earned his M.S. Degree in 1974 and Ph. D. in Biochemistry in 1975. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Science Degree, conferred by the University of New Haven, honorary Doctoral of Laws from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Joseph College and the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He has also completed many special training courses at the FBI Academy; Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Agency; Drug Enforcement Agency; Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other law enforcement training programs.

Dr. Lee worked at New York University Medical Center from 1968 to 1974 as a research scientist. He joined the University of New Haven in 1975 as an Assistant Professor where he created the school’s forensic science program. He was granted tenure as a full professor three years later. In 1975 he volunteered his service to assist the Connecticut State Police to develop forensic laboratory services and introduce the Major Crime Squad concept for criminal investigation. In 1979 he was appointed as the first Chief Criminalist for the State of Connecticut. Currently, Dr. Lee is the Chief Criminalist for Connecticut and Director of the Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory. He is also a professor of the Forensic Science Program at the University of New Haven and an adjunct professor at ten other universities and law schools in the United States and abroad.

Dr. Lee is the recipient of many awards including the Distinguished Service Award from Taiwan National Police Administration in 1962; Teacher of the Year Award in 1978; Achievement Awards in 1983; the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Distinguished Criminalist Award in 1986; and the J. Donero Award from the International Association of identification in 1989; Distinguished Service Award from Connecticut Police Commissioners Association in 1992; Medal of Justice from the Justice foundation in 1996 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Science and Engineer Association in 1998.

Dr. Lee has received many citations from the Connecticut General Assembly as well as from other states and governments. He is one of the first recipients of the State Distinguished Manager Awards in 1982. He also is the first recipient of the Ethic Award from the State in 1996. In addition, he has received several hundred other medals, commendations, and awards from police departments, universities, governments, and civic groups around the world for his contributions and achievements in police work, criminal investigation, law enforcement, forensic sciences and education. He has received many honorary police ranks, from captain to police colonel, from sheriff to Texas Lawman.

Photo of Dr. Henry Lee delivering a digital presentation at the 2000 seminar in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. In 1962, he was elected a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He was elected as distinguished member at the international Association of Identification. He is an editor for seven academic journals, including the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Dr. Lee has authored or co-authored 20 books; major chapters and reports; and has published approximately 300 articles in professional journals. He has served as chairman and director on national and international committees in law enforcement, forensic science, criminal justice education and training; and has conducted and instructed over 800 workshops/seminars. He is one of the most popular instructors in crime scenes, forensic evidence and criminal investigation in the law enforcement field.

Dr. Lee has assisted law enforcement agencies and investigated 6,000 major investigations and cases around the world. He has testified over 1,000 times in both criminal and civil cases. He serves as a consultant for over 300 police and law enforcement agencies. He has served as an expert witness in many high profile investigations and national and internationally known cases.

Dr. Lee and his wife Margaret have been married for 35 years. They reside in Connecticut. Margaret works at a Veteran’s Hospital in Connecticut. They have two children. Daughter, Sherry Lee, is a graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and works for a Traveler’s Insurance Agency. Their son, Dr. Stanley Lee, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and works at Progressive Dentistry in Connecticut.