Professional Summary
Samantha Gwinn is an independent consultant and the Data Strategy Lead for Policing Lab. She works with law enforcement to develop effective analytical and investigative data strategies, with the primary goal of violent crime reduction. She previously worked with LexisNexis Risk Solutions for more than 10years, managing public safety project strategy and development of the Special Investigations Unit. Sam also spent 5 years with the FBI Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) Unit, after serving as a field operations and investigative crime analyst with the San Diego Police Department. She started her career through internships with San Diego PD and Las Vegas Metropolitan PD and was the first full-time crime analyst for the San Diego Unified School District Police Department. Sam is a subject matter expert on multiple aspects of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program, having worked as a consultant to the national Training and Technical Assistance provider as well as the state of Delaware grantee agency. She is a member of the board of directors for End Violence Against Women, International (EVAWI) and has volunteered in numerous capacities for the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) for 20+ years.
Key Experience
- Data Strategy Lead, Policing Lab – Miami Police Department (2022 – Present)
- Leads data-informed strategies to strengthen public safety, with a focus on crime analysis, data integrity, and problem-oriented policing.
- Public Safety Product Strategy, LexisNexis Risk Solutions
- Pioneered new roles as the first fraud analyst, Special Investigations Unit manager, and public safety product strategy manager within the Risk-Government vertical.
- Crime Analyst, FBI ViCAP Unit (now part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit)
- Provided investigative support to local and state law enforcement agencies and helped to design and implement a web-based, contributory national database.
- Crime Analyst, San Diego Police Department
- Worked alongside two area commands and the Sex Crimes Unit to identify crime patterns, repeat offenders, and innovative approaches to problem analysis.
- SAKI Coordinator (part-time), Delaware Criminal Justice Council
- Supported the CJC and participating SAKI agencies in the implementation and close-out of a 2015 BJA grant award. Co-authored the current Attorney General’s policy on sexual assault kit testing, as well as additional supporting materials.
Education & Credentials
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Criminology, San Diego State University
Personal Touch
Sam is an avid live music fan, traveling often to enjoy concerts and festivals with friends. Other interests include native gardening, reading fiction and nonfiction, and random road trips.
