DNA expert sues FIU over suspension – Sun Sentinel

A DNA expert who was suspended last year from his job as a professor at Florida International University is suing the school, accusing administrators of violating his due process rights and costing him at least $19,000 in expert witness fees.

Martin Tracey taught biology at FIU since the 1970s and has testified for more than 20 years on DNA issues. Last spring, after Tracey said he had evidence numerous students were cheating during exams in his Human Genetics course, some of the students filed complaints accusing Tracey of professional misconduct.

The university sided with the students and suspended Tracey for the fall 2016 semester. He was later suspended for the spring 2017 semester and most recently was told to expect to be fired.

According to the lawsuit, Tracey has lost out on $90,000 in wages and another $19,000 in fees he could have charged as an expert witness. The Broward State Attorneys Office had listed Tracey as an expert in 173 pending cases as of last December.

The lawsuit accuses FIU of failing to give Tracey a fair chance to defend himself against the students' accusations.

I was forbidden from being on campus or communicating with any students, Tracey said in an interview Thursday. Even students who wanted to testify for me, I wasnt allowed to ask them.

Tracey said the cheating students were in a computer chat room during an exam, sharing answers with each other. Some students, when confronted, accepted responsibility and a failing grade for the test, Tracey said. Others said they did nothing wrong and filed grievances against Tracey. Tracey said the school didnt give him detailed information about the allegations.

He was ambushed with the evidence against him at a grievance hearing, said his attorney, Jordan Richards.

A spokeswoman for FIU did not have a comment about the lawsuit on Thursday.

rolmeda@SunSentinel.com, 954-356-4457, Twitter @SSCourts and @rolmeda

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DNA expert sues FIU over suspension - Sun Sentinel