Executive Team

Mike Cariola brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer and has been a key contributor in leading and transitioning Bode to be a world leader within the forensic science community.

Cariola is responsible for the operational leadership of Bode’s forensic operations, products, software, and consulting services. In addition to ensuring the quality and reliability of services provided to clients worldwide,  Cariola has driven growth through the oversight of Bode Cellmark’s federal business development efforts, active R&D programs, and software and product development.

Cariola has held a variety of progressively responsible positions with the Bode Cellmark predecessor company, Bode Technology. While serving as Laboratory Director, he was primarily involved with Bode Cellmark’s forensic casework and databasing activities. During that time, Bode Technology successfully assisted numerous crime laboratories in the elimination of backlogs and Cariola helped launch several new services and products, implementing new technologies to increase quality, efficiency and effectiveness in the laboratory. These have become the cornerstones of Bode Cellmark’s international offerings and are a significant driver of company growth.

Cariola is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Sciences. He has also served on the advisory boards of the forensic science programs for Towson University and Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a master of forensic science degree with a concentration in forensic molecular biology from The George Washington University, and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of arts degree in biology.

Erin Sweeney joined Bode in 2005 and has extensive experience managing high-throughput DNA sample processing and analysis for clients worldwide.  She directs Bode’s full laboratory operations including casework, databasing, applied research and core facility teams. Ms. Sweeney ensures that operations are in continuous compliance with all accreditation standards. Prior to becoming lab director, she directed the databasing team, which was responsible for processing more than 1.5 million offender databasing samples, and the human identification team, which is responsible for the identification of missing persons and victims of war, terrorism, and natural disasters in the United States and around the world. 

She has successfully implemented a number of new technologies, process improvements, robotic methodologies, and software solutions that have resulted in better data quality and greater efficiency in the laboratory.  In addition, Ms. Sweeney has played a key role in Bode’s international training and development services.  She participated in the design, planning, and implementation of a fully functioning DNA database system for a major international laboratory where she served as the on-site project manager and trainer.

Ms. Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree in biotechnology and certificate in national security studies from Johns Hopkins University.  She is a member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Society for Forensic Genetics.

As VP of Business Operations, Mr. Ahmed is a sales and business development professional, leading Bode’s international services and global DNA collection product sales. Since joining Bode in 2000, Mr. Ahmed brings 22+ years of DNA experience and has made significant contributions towards establishing and expanding Bode’s market share. Mr. Ahmed has extensive experience with high-throughput DNA processing, establishing distribution and strategic partnerships, ensuring compliance with international standards, evaluating markets, and developing customer relationships. Mr. Ahmed has travel and cultural experience in over 40 countries. Mr. Ahmed has also served as the Assistant Lab Director, Director of Consulting and Training, and Director of DNA Databasing during his 20+ year career with Bode.

Mr. Ahmed has successfully acquired, led and completed multiple contracts with international, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. In addition, Mr. Ahmed also has extensive hands-on experience in processing various DNA substrates, implementing robotic methodologies, and effectively using software solutions for high throughput DNA processing. Mr. Ahmed received his Master of Science in Biochemistry and his Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Washington University.

Ms. Sasinouski joins Bode after more than 16 years at the Connecticut Division of Scientific Services (CT DSS) where she most recently served as the Deputy Director of Forensic Biology and DNA. During her time at the CT DSS she served in a variety of analytical, supervisory and management positions including Assistant Technical Leader and the Designated Laboratory Official for genealogy cases. She was qualified in serology, STR, Y-STR and mitochondrial DNA typing and oversaw the validation and implementation of several new technologies including Probabilistic Genotyping. Since 2018, Ms. Sasinouski was an invited guest to the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) and participated in the National Institute of Justice “Best Practices for DNA Laboratory Efficiency Improvements” Working Group. Ms. Sasinouski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven and is a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics.
 

Robert Bever, Ph.D. is a forensic DNA scientist with twenty seven years of research and operational experience. Dr. Bever has served as Laboratory Director for three DNA typing laboratories, has technically reviewed over 40,000 cases and testified in over 150 trials. Additionally Dr. Bever has over twenty years’ experience in analyzing kinship casework to establish parentage, sib-ship, and avuncular relationships. Dr. Bever’s research in human DNA forensics has focused on developing methods to obtain DNA profiles from highly degraded samples, to collect and extract DNA from touched objects, mixture deconvolution using next generation sequencing , and identification geographical origin of material through DNA. Dr. Bever has a Ph. D in Microbiology from University of Maryland and performed post-doctoral research in infectious diseases at the Oregon Health Science University and the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine.