Bill Tafoya, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Coordinator of Forensic Computer Investigation Program
Tafoya graduated from the University of Maryland with his Ph.D. and is a retired Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His research interests focus on analytical (software) tools in Intelligence Studies as well as behavioral assessment of computer criminals. We sat down with Bill Tafoya to learn what he is doing inside and outside the classroom.
What do you enjoy most about teaching here at the University of New Haven?
The active interaction with the students. Because our student-teacher ratio is relatively low, lower than is generally the case at larger universities, there are more opportunities for students to regularly and frequently engage faculty both during and outside of class. This is especially so for graduate students whose class size is significantly smaller than undergraduate classes.
Do you see the future of teaching going in any special direction?
In 1987, Apple Computers developed a prototype laptop computer dubbed the "Knowledge Navigator." This technology enabled conference calling, on-the-fly simulations, and much more. I expect this capability to yet come to fruition. Just as much of today's technology was yester-year's Buck Rogers technological tools, I believe near term future technology will evolve to be used in education and training. For example, on the television series Star Trek, the holodeck is a simulated reality facility located on the Starship Enterprise. In this 23rd century setting the holodeck is used for training. I believe this science fiction technology will become real world, near term future technology.
What do you think are the most important attributes of a good instructor?
Listening. Really listening to, not just talking at students, is essential. Encouraging students to verbalize problem solving in new ways and in more than one way is crucial to creativity and innovation. Finally, it is important to be patient.
How do you balance theory and practice in your classes?
I try to provide several real world examples of the theory students read about in textbooks. Such examples make the theory pragmatic. Students want to learn about practical applications not just memorize abstract concepts.
What do you consider to be the newest areas of research within your field of study?
State-of-the art technology changes almost literally on a daily basis. Neural networks, data mining and database management technologies hold great promise. Features of these technologies have not yet been fully exploited.
Are faculty members encouraged to participate in committees and other services to the University?
Yes. All full-time tenure-track faculty serve on various committees or are otherwise engaged in service to the university. For example, in July 2009, 10 graduate students and I took part in a two-week Study Abroad Program in Russia. We learned a great deal and had a lot of fun as well.
Which faculty/staff member(s) on campus do you admire most?
Dr. Natalie Ferringer, a Political Scientist, is a colleague I very much admire for the depth and breadth of her knowledge. Students tell me how much they enjoy her courses in terrorism as well as research and policy analysis.
If you were to take a course here at UNH which one would it be and why?
If I had the time I would study for a Master’s degree in computer sciences. Why? Because daily our world is becoming more and more digitally dependent.
What level of participation do you expect from your students?
Active involvement. By that I mean that I encourage students not merely to answer my questions, but question my answers. I do not want students to regurgitate what they have read, but to critically reflect on what they have read and what I have explained. Students gain points by volunteering information, not merely for correctly answering questions put to them.
What exciting tracks or sub-fields within the major do you think students should seriously consider as they plan their academic careers?
Crime Analysis. It is gaining acceptance in the practitioner world of law enforcement. We offer an undergraduate certificate as well as a graduate concentration in this emerging sub-field of criminal justice.
What level of participation do you expect from your students?
Active involvement. By that I mean that I encourage students not merely to answer my questions, but question my answers. I do not want students to regurgitate what they have read, but to critically reflect on what they have read and what I have explained. Students gain points by volunteering information, not merely for correctly answering questions put to them.
What kind of college did you attend and how is it similar or different to the University of New Haven?
All three of the universities I attended to earn my bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees were very large universities. Individualized attention was—limited. Students who come to UNH have the opportunity to avail themselves of personal attention and on a regular basis difficult to match at a larger university.
What teaching methods do you use that seem to excite the students the most?
The Socratic Method. Rather than telling the student the answer to her/his question, following the procedure of the Socratic Method re-directs questions in such a way that the student is encouraged to discover the answer for her/ himself. As a consequence the student retains the self-discovered knowledge much longer than information conveyed in traditional ask – immediately answer format. I also make use of various computer technologies. UNH is one of the first universities to utilize Tegrity, a cutting edge lecture capture web service that allows the automatic recording, storage, and digital indexing of every class enabling subsequent re-acquisition on or off campus. The CyberCop Portal is another digital tool that I make extensive use of. This extranet facilitates electronic communication between students and me as well as with each other in the kind of secure environment they will encounter when they begin their professional career in the law enforcement & Intelligence communities.
What technology applications have you utilized in the classroom?
On-line, real-time use of computers. I make use of the Internet, search engines, interactive conferencing, visualization and simulation of data, PowerPoint, other specialized software, and more.
Do you have a certain field of interest?
Terrorism, more specifically Cyber Terrorism. In January 2010 I will begin a sabbatical research project to evaluate the ability of some specialized predictive methodologies to better anticipate cyber attacks.
What are the strengths of your department?
The greatest strength, the one for which we are known, is the practitioner careers many of our faculty bring to the classroom. Students love to hear about our “real world” Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences professional experiences. I, for example, am a retired Special Agent of the FBI. I teach national security and forensic computer investigation courses.
What professional development activities have you been involved in over the past few years?
In years past I have participated in and/or made presentations at a number of conferences. More recently I was selected by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies to participate in a ten-day academic fellowship program in Israel. The focus of the program was anti-terrorism training and taught in conjunction with Tel Aviv University in June 2009. I will incorporate what I learned in the courses I teach.
What is your department’s reputation in your field?
We enjoy a national and international reputation. For example, Dr. Richard Ward, our Dean, is distinguished for his publications in the field of criminal investigation. Dr. Henry Lee, another of our faculty members, is a renowned forensic scientist. Our College and all of its departments benefit from such recognition.
What kinds of research are you currently working on or would like to be involved in?
In January 2010 I will begin a sabbatical research project to study known cyber terrorism attacks of the nation’s critical infrastructure. I will be evaluating the ability of some predictive tools to determine if valid and reliable results can be attributed to these tools.
Are any students involved in your research?
Presently two graduate students are assisting me with on-going research. As my forthcoming sabbatical research project evolves I hope to be able to involve other graduate students as well.
What recommendations would you give to incoming freshman?
The most important counsel I can offer is for the first two years students should concentrate on completing the core requirements. That is, those courses required of all students regardless of the major, English, Math, History, and so forth. Once these degree-mandatory courses are completed, the student will have settled into university life, have developed a solid study habit, have greater course selection flexibility, and thereafter able to concentrate on courses that are career-oriented. Too many students ignore this oft-repeated counsel from parents, guidance counselors, and professors, to their detriment.
