John Sammons

John Sammons is the associate director for the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security. He is an accomplished scholar, author, and educator with a wealth of experience in the field of digital forensics. As a professor at Marshall, he teaches advanced digital forensics and firearms. In addition to his academic work, Sammons is also a former Huntington Police Department officer and has received recognition for his investigative work from the United States Department of Justice.

Sammons is the author, co-author, and contributor of several books on digital forensics, including the best-selling “The Basics of Digital Forensics,” which was nominated for Digital Forensics Book of the Year by Forensic 4 Cast in 2013. He has also co-authored the digital forensics chapter in Douglas Ubelaker’s “Forensic Science: Current Issues, Future Directions,” which is co-published with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In addition to his academic work, he also serves as a Fusion Center Liaison Officer for the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center and is the founder and President of the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence, a non-profit organization that provides research and training for digital evidence professionals.

Sammons holds multiple certifications, including the AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE), the Cellebrite Certified Logical Operator (CCLO), and the Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA). He is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the High Technology Crime Investigation Association, and the FBI Infragard. Prior to joining the faculty at Marshall, Sammons co-founded Second Creek Technologies, a digital forensics and electronic discovery firm. He is an adjunct instructor at the Marshall University Forensic Science Center where he teaches advanced digital forensics and firearms to graduate students. He routinely provides training for the legal and law enforcement communities in the areas of digital forensics, investigations, and electronic discovery.

Sammons earned his bachelor’s degree at Marshall University and a master’s degree at Mountain State University. 

Full bio available online.