Julio de Carvalho Ponce

Dr. Julio de Carvalho Ponce serves as an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science within the Applied Sciences Department at Northumbria University's Faculty of Engineering and Environment. With extensive practical experience from 13 years (2009-2022) as an Official Criminal Expert in São Paulo's police force, he brings real-world forensic expertise to academia. His professional journey includes diverse roles ranging from Crimes Against Life Field Officer to Head of the Seized Drug Analysis Laboratory.

His research focuses on cutting-edge forensic toxicology challenges:

• Analysis and monitoring of New Psychoactive Substances in seized and biological materials
• Epidemiological evaluation of substance use through wastewater-based epidemiology
• Machine learning applications for spectroscopic identification of illicit substances
• Alcohol-related traffic fatalities and enforcement behaviors

Analysis of his 26 research outputs reveals strong specialization in Brazilian drug market trends, novel psychoactive substance identification, and forensic analytical methodology development. His work demonstrates consistent focus on practical forensic applications with significant real-world impact, particularly in Latin American contexts. Recent publications (2022-2024) show increasing emphasis on machine learning integration and synthetic cannabinoid analysis.

Ponce maintains active media engagement as a forensic science expert and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. His research collaborations span multiple international institutions with notable engagement in Brazilian academic networks.