She holds a Bachelor of Science in forensic science from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Science in police administration, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in criminal justice from Michigan State University. She has published extensively in the areas of computer crime, organized crime, and the police subculture. She has acted as a consultant to a variety of organizations, and provided training to an assortment of law enforcement agencies. In addition, she has served on editorial and supervisory boards in both academic and practitioner venues. Some of her recent books are: Organized Crime: A Worldwide Perspective; Computer Forensics and Cybercrime; and, From Lucky Luciano to Tony Soprano: A History of Italian Organized Crime in America.