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Biography - Bert Ouderkirk

My name is Bert Ouderkirk. I was born in Hamilton, OH, however, I moved to Michigan when I was very small (6 mos). I went to High School in Michigan and also here in Arizona. I had several different baseball scholarships to different colleges, but, instead, I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school.

I served 21 years in the Marine Corps as a Military Policeman, Drill Instructor (turning over 1200 civilians into U.S. Marines, and my last 15 years as a Criminal Investigator/Polygraph Examiner). After 15 years in the Marine Corps, mostly playing softball in my spare time, and, upon returning from Desert Storm, I realized that I needed to finish my education for my family. I applied for a program where I was allowed to go to school full time while on active duty and was accepted. I finished my undergraduate by obtaining a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, graduating (Magna Cum Laude).

Upon finishing my undergrad I was assigned to the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute and completed my 4 months of training there. Upon completion of DODPI I was assigned as the polygraph examiner for the Marine Corps bases on the west coast.

Upon arriving at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA, I enrolled in the Master's of Forensic Science Program at National University. I graduated with honors and did my graduate thesis project on Bloodspatter Patterns at crime scenes and how you can tell what occurred by reading them.

At my thesis defense presentation I was asked to teach criminalistics and advanced criminalistics for National University, and thus, began my teaching career. I teach for 7 different universities, some online, some in the classroom. I have taught on every level from Associates to Masters level and thoroughly enjoy teaching. I have been teaching for about 13 years now.

In October 1998, I went to Japan to serve as the Far East polygraph examiner and Chief Investigator, where I spent a year running both counterintelligence and criminal polygraph exams.

I retired from active duty in Dec, 1999 and went to work for a government agency (I could tell you who but I would have to kill you) . I worked for them for 8 months and missed teaching and having to travel 500 miles every month to see my kids. I was missing too much of their lives. Plus my agency would not let me teach. Government Agents were not allowed to work second jobs so I resigned and moved back here to Phoenix. I am currently the Forensic Program Coordinator and full time professor of Criminal Justice at the largest Community College in the U.S. I completed my second Masters Degree in Organizational Management in Jan 04.

I met the love of my life here in Phoenix. We got married on Sept 29, 2002 and then spent a wonderful week in Hawaii. My kids love her and what better woman could you have than one who loves golf, and my favorite pastime in the whole world, softball. We play on a co-ed team together that I play/coach and have won the city championships in every single league we have entered. Additionally, I play 3 times a week in highly competitive men's leagues. We also just adopted a brand new baby boy who was born on March 4, 2007.

My wife is a former All-American softball player and coach at Arizona State University and will be entering into a Nursing program at the school where I teach and will then hire on to work at a local Doctor's office we hope. I look very forward to working with all of you. -- Bert Ouderkirk/MSGT USMC (Retired)