Lisa Dadio

Lisa Dadio is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Center for Advanced Policing at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven. She is also the Director of the East Coast Regional De-escalation Training Center and a retired police Lieutenant from the New Haven Police Department with 20 years of law enforcement experience.

• M.S.W., Clinical, Children and Families, Southern Connecticut State University
• M.S., Forensic Science, Advanced Investigation, University of New Haven
• B.S. and A.S., Law Enforcement Administration, University of New Haven

Her career focuses on forensic science, criminal investigations, and law enforcement training. She has secured over $1.8 million in grants from the Department of Justice for de-escalation training programs. Her work spans crime scene analysis, domestic violence, child abuse, and bias crimes, with contributions to national discussions on policing reforms and forensic methodologies.

She has appeared extensively in national media outlets, including Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Court TV, and Fox News, providing expert commentary on high-profile cases and advancements in forensic science. Notably, her team’s de-escalation training programs have expanded to hubs in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.

• $1 million grant (2022) for de-escalation training
• $800,000 grant (2024) for program expansion

Lisa’s expertise in crime scene investigations and cold case reviews, coupled with her efforts to bridge law enforcement and community partnerships, underscores her significant impact on modern policing strategies and forensic education.