Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar
Knoy 225
Mondays from 2:30-4:00pm
Dr. Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar is a Professor in the cyberforensics program in the Department of Computer and Information Technology. She has exceptional international prominence and is a renowned expert in the psychosocial and technological factors associated with cybercriminal behavior, specifically on the criminological characteristics and grooming strategies of online child sex offenders. She is a member of the Tippecanoe High Tech Crime Unit and has Special Deputy status for the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office. Dr. Seigfried-Spellar was a 2022-2023 U.S. Fulbright Scholar awardee for her research at the University of Valencia, Spain: “Analyzing Criminological Differences and Online Grooming Strategies of Child Sex Offenders in Spain.” She is also a recipient of the International Fellows Award for Summer 2024 at the University of Adelaide, Australia to collaborate with faculty from the Adelaide Cybercrime Laboratory and Australian law enforcement. Dr. Seigfried-Spellar is a Fellow and the Chair of the Digital and Multimedia Sciences section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, member of the American Psychological Association, and member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts.
Education:
- PhD in Technology (Area of Concentration: Cyberforensics, Psychology), Purdue University, 2011
- MA in Forensic Psychology, City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2007
- BA in Psychology; Law and Society, Purdue University, 2005
Certifications:
- Basic Investigation of Computer and Electronic Crimes Program (BICEP), National Computer Forensics Institute (August 2013)
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2023 Jefferson Award
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2022-2023, Fulbright Scholar Awardee, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
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2022, University Faculty Scholar, Purdue University
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2022, Outstanding Early Career* Achievement in Forensic Science Award, American Academy of Forensic Sciences
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2021-2022, Societal Impact Fellow, Purdue’s Office of Engagement
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2021-2022, Fulbright Scholar Alternate, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
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2017-2018 - Outstanding Faculty in Learning, Department of Computer and Information Technology, Purdue Polytechnic
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2018 - Outstanding Research Award, Digital and Multimedia Sciences Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
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2017 - The John P. Lisack Early-Career Engagement Award, Purdue Polytechnic
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2016 - Outstanding Research Award, Digital and Multimedia Sciences Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
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2015 - Outstanding Research Award, Digital and Multimedia Sciences Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
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2014 - Best Paper Award, International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research Fall 2014 Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
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2013 - Best Paper Award, 5th International Conference on Digital Forensics & Cyber Crime (ICDF2C) in Moscow, Russia
*Student
JOURNAL
DeMaria, A.L., Meier, S.G, King, H. G, Sidorowicz, H. U, Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., & Schwab Reese, L. (2023). The role of community healthcare professionals in discussing sexual assault experiences during obstetrics and gynecological healthcare appointments. BMC Women’s Health. 23(263), 1-13. doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02401-4
Laux, C., Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., Lint, G.G, & Guerra, L. MG. (2023). Applying risk assessment principles to the sex trafficking process: A feasibility study. Systems Engineering. 26(3), 1-11. doi.org/10.1002/sys.21658
Rightley, C. E.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., & Rogers, M.K. (2023). Revisiting the Computer Crime Index-Revised (CCI-R): Assessing individual differences and cyberdeviant behavior two decades later. International Journal of Cyber Criminology. Accepted for Publication.
Bowling, H.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Karabiyik, U., & Rogers, M. (2023). We are meeting on Microsoft Teams: Forensic Analysis in Windows, Android and iOS Operating Systems. Journal of Forensic Science, 68, 434-460.
doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15208
Desmet, O.A., Crimmins, D.M., Flewellen, G. & Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2023). Students' Perceptions of a Cyber Enrichment Program. Gifted Child Today. Accepted for Publication.
Wilson, N.G, & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2023). Cybervictimization, Social, and Financial Strains Influence Internet Trolling Behaviors: A General Strain Theory Perspective. Social Science Computer Review, 41(3), 967–982. doi.org/10.1177/089443932110658
Ringenberg, T.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Rayz, J. M., & Rogers, M. K. (2022). A Scoping Review of Child Grooming Strategies: Pre- and Post-Internet. Child Abuse & Neglect, 123, 1-12. doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105392
Desmet, O.G, Crimmins, D.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Gentry, M. L. (2022). AME+Cyber: Evaluating the Online Delivery of a Holistic Cyber-related Talent Development Program. Gifted Education International, 38(1), 3-24.
doi.org/10.1177/02614294211054
Gilbert, A. K.G, & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2022). Forensic Discoverability of iOS Vault Applications. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security & Law, 17(1), 1-12. doi.org/10.15394/jdfsl.2022.1773
Journal metrics not available; 1,325 downloads from journal website.
Soldino, V.G, Carbonell-Vaya, E., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2021). Spanish Validation of the Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT). Sexual Abuse, 33(5), 503-528. doi.org/10.1177/10790632209289
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Laux, C., & Mentzer, N. (2021). Integrating a Human Centered Design Approach in a Human Trafficking Hackathon. Irish Journal of Academic Practice (IJAP), 10(1), 1-12. doi.org/10.21427/p2ve-rc51
Ringenberg, T.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Rayz, J. M. (2021). Implications of Using Internet Sting Corpora to Approximate Underage Victims. Findings of the Association for Computational Linguistics, 3645–3656. 10.18653/v1/2021.findings-acl.319
Rogers, M. K., Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Bates, S.G, & Kayla, R.U (2021). Online Child Pornography Offender Risk Assessment Using Digital Forensic Artifacts: The Need for a Hybrid Model. Journal of Forensic Science, 66(6), 2354-2361.
doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14820
Phan, A.G, Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Choo, K.-K. R. (2021). Threaten Me Softly: A Review of Potential Dating App Risks. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 3(2021), 1-12. doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100055
Soldino, V.G, Carbonell-Vaya, E., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2019). Criminological Differences Between Child Pornography Offenders in Spain. Child Abuse & Neglect, 98, 1-18. doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104178
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Rogers, M. K., Rayz, J. M., Yang, S.-F.G, Misra, K.G, & Ringenberg, T.G (2019). Chat Analysis Triage Tool: Differentiating contact-driven vs. fantasy-driven child sex offenders. Forensics Science International, 297, 8-10. doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.028
Chiu, M. M., Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Ringenberg, T. R.G (2018). Detecting Contact vs. Fantasy Online Sexual Offenders in Chats with Minors: Statistical Discourse Analysis of Self-Disclosure and Emotion Words. Child Abuse & Neglect, 81, 128-138. doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.04.004
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Lankford, C. M.G (2018). Personality and Online Environment Factors Differ for Posters, Trolls, Lurkers, and Confessors on Yik Yak. Personality and Individual Differences, 124, 54-56.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2017). Assessing the Psychological Wellbeing and Coping Mechanisms of Law Enforcement Investigators vs. Digital Forensic Examiners of Child Pornography Investigations. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., & Chowdhury, S. S.G (2017). Death and Lulz - Understanding the Personality Characteristics of RIP Trolls. First Monday, 22(11), 1-12.
Crimmins, D. M.G, & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2017). Adults who Sext: Exploring Differences in Self-Esteem, Moral Foundations, and Personality. International Journal of Cyber Criminology: Special Issue on Sexting, 11(2), 169-182.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Vukadinović, N. V.U, & Lynam, D. R. (2017). Computer Criminal Behavior is Related to Psychopathy and Other Antisocial Behavior. Journal of Criminal Justice, 51, 67-73.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2016). Deviant pornography use: The role of early-onset adult pornography use and individual differences. International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning, 6(3), 34-47.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Rogers, M. K., & *Crimmins, D. M. (2017). Development of A Professional Code of Ethics in Digital Forensics. Annual Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law.
*Zezulka, L. A., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2016). Differentiating Cyberbullies and Internet Trolls by Personality Characteristics and Self-Esteem. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law: Special Issue on Cyberharassment, 11(3), 7-26.
Losavio, M., Seigfried-Spellar, & K. C., Sloan, J. (2016). Why digital forensics is not a profession and how it can become one. Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society. Advanced Online Publication
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., *O’Quinn, C., & *Treadway, K. (2015). Assessing the relationship between autistic traits and cyberdeviancy in a sample of college students. Behaviour & Information Technology. 34(5), 533-542.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2014). Distinguishing the viewers, downloaders, and exchangers of internet child pornography by individual differences: Preliminary Findings. Digital Investigation, 11(4), 252-260.
Rogers, M.K. & Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2014). Using internet artifacts to profile a child pornography suspect. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law, 9(1), 57-66.
*Crimmins, D.M. & **Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2014). Peer attachment, sexual experiences, & risky online behaviors as predictors of sexting behaviors among undergraduate students. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 268-275.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. & *Treadway, K.N. (2014). Differentiating hackers, identity thieves, cyberbullies, and virus writers by college major and individual differences. Deviant Behavior, 35(10), 782-803.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2013). Individual differences of internet child pornography users: Peculiar findings in a community-based study. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 7(2), 141-154.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. & Rogers, M.K. (2013). Does deviant pornography use follow a guttman-like progression? Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 1997-2003.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. & Rogers, M. (2010). Low neuroticism and high hedonistic traits for female internet child pornography consumers. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(6), 629-635.
Seigfried, K., Lovely, R., & Rogers, M. (2008). Self-reported Internet child pornography users: A psychological analysis. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 2(1), 286-297.
Rogers, M., Seigfried, K., & Tidke, K. (2006). Self-reported computer criminal behavior: A psychological analysis. Digital Investigation, 3, 116-120.
Rogers, M. & Seigfried, K. (2004). The future of computer forensics: A needs analysis survey. Computers & Security, 23, 12-16.
BOOK / BOOK CHAPTERS
Holt, T., Bossler, A., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. (2022). Cybercrime and digital forensics: An introduction. (3rd Edition) Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Dolliver, D.S. & Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2014). Legal, forensic, and criminological aspects of cyberterrorism. In E. Plywaczewski (Ed.), Current Problems of the Penal Law and Criminology: Wolters Kluwer Publishing House.
Rogers, M.K. & Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (Series Eds.). (2013). Digital forensics and computer crime. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, Vol. 114. New York: Springer.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2013). Measuring the preference of image content for self-reported consumers of child pornography. In M. Rogers & K. Seigfried-Spellar (Series Eds.), Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering: Digital Forensics and Computer Crime. New York: Springer.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., Bertoline, G.R., & Rogers, M.K. (2012). Internet child pornography, U.S. sentencing guidelines, and the role of internet service providers. In P. Gladyshev & M. Rogers (Series Eds.), Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering: Vol. 88. Digital forensics and cyber crime (pp. 17-32).
Rogers, M.K., & Seigfried-Spellar, K.C. (2011). Internet child pornography: Legal issues and investigative tactics. In T. Holt (Ed.), Crime On-Line: Correlates, Causes, and Context. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.
Seigfried-Spellar, K.C., Lovely, R.W., & Rogers, M.K. (2011). Self-reported internet child pornography consumers: A personality assessment using Bandura’s theory of reciprocal determinism. In K. Jaishankar (Ed.), Cyber Criminology: Exploring Internet Crimes and Criminal Behavior (pp. 65-77). Boca Raton, FL: Taylor and Francis.
Industry Engagement:
Tippecanoe High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU): https://www.lafayette.in.gov/1981/High-Tech-Crimes-Unit
Professional Affiliations:
- International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA)
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) – Digital & Multimedia Sciences
- American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS)
- American Psychological Association (APA)