Biography
JOHN BRICK, PHD, MA, FAPA, VSM
Education and Training
Dr. John Brick is an Independent Forensic Examiner specializing in toxicology and psychopharmacology. He began his research career in pharmacology and physiology at Rockefeller University (NYC) while still an undergraduate and where authored the first of many peer-reviewed publications. As a graduate of the joint-degree program in psychobiology (Binghamton University, The State University of New York) he completed his Doctorate requirements in biological psychology, which included training in neuroscience (e.g., neuropharmacology, neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy) and physiology (e.g., sensory physiology, medical physiology and genetics), as well as a Masters degree in psychology (including statistics and a pre-doctoral clinic internship). He completed additional post-graduate (CME) training in clinical psychopharmacology (Harvard Medical School). Paralleling his lengthy academic research career Dr. Brick has also been in private practice in forensic psychopharmacology for 40 years.
Publications
Dr. Brick is the author of numerous peer reviewed scientific treatises including multiple textbooks. Among these are: Forensic Alcohol Test Evidence (C.C. Thomas), Pharmacology of Ethanol (International Encyclopedia of Pharmacological Therapeutics, Pergamon Press), three editions of Drugs, The Brain and Behavior: The Pharmacology of Abuse and Dependence (Haworth Medical Press); The Pharmacology of Drug Use Disorders (Routledge Press); The Pharmacology of Therapeutics and Drug Use Disorders (Routledge Press); and The President’s Commission on Model State Drug Laws - Evaluation of Addiction Treatment (The White House), Alcohol Intoxication: Mode and Risk for Injury; Alcohol: Use, Abuse, Tolerance and Dependence (Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science), and is Editor and co-author of the first and second edition of Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Taylor & Francis). Dr. Brick is the author of the Identification and Treatment Matrix for Biological Warfare used by various medical and law enforcement agencies in NJ and PA following the multiple terrorist attacks in 2001. He is the Editor and co-author of the Topic Guide to Cold Case Investigations (The Vidocq Society), the Editor-in-Chief of The Vidocq Society Forensic Overview Series of publications and is the former Senior Editor of Contemporary Issues in Neuropharmacology for Haworth Medical Press.
Consulting
Because of both his extensive clinical and analytical laboratory research experience in neuropharmacology, physiology, toxicology and behavioral sciences, Dr. Brick has worked as an expert consultant to the World Health Organization, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, The Veterans Administration Department of Medicine and Surgery, other governmental agencies and corporations (e.g., Exxon, Singer-Link Aviation, DuPont Pharma, National Geographic) and more than a dozen scientific journals as an expert peer reviewer.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Brick has been in private practice in Forensic Psychopharmacology for forty years where is applied his specific academic and clinical training in alcohol and other drugs to matters of criminal law and civil litigation. He has been employed as a Forensic Examiner to County Prosecutor Offices throughout New Jersey in various homicide cases as well as the Office of the Attorney General in both PA and NJ in serious or fatal injury cases. In criminal cases, he is overwhelming consulted by the prosecution whereas in civil litigation he is regularly retained by both plaintiffs and defendants. Dr. Brick held long-term appointments as Forensic Alcohol/Drug Consultant to Rutgers University and the Rockland County New York Office of the Medical Examiner. Dr. Brick has been qualified and testified over 100 times as an expert in: pharmacology/toxicology, the biobehavioral effects of psychoactive drugs and in the analytical testing and pharmacokinetic analyses of alcohol and other drugs. He has appeared on or consulted to various media including ABC television 20/20 (consultant), NBC News with Tom Brokaw (featured), Court TV (featured), WNET Educational Television (featured), and has been interviewed on numerous radio programs, popular magazines and other venues.
Professional History, Teaching and Academic Appointments
Dr. Brick is the former Chief of Research and Associate Director of the Advanced School of Alcohol and Drug Studies for the Rutgers University Center of Alcohol Studies, Education and Training Division, Laboratory Director of the Rutgers Alcohol Behavior Research Lab and also Chairman of the Graduate Program in Alcohol Studies at the Center. He has taught graduate courses in clinical psychopharmacology, biology of alcohol and neurophysiology at Rutgers University; as well as neuropharmacology for twenty years at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies and elsewhere, including by invitation, internationally. He has lectured on these and other topics (e.g., biological warfare) to state and county law enforcement agencies, county prosecutors, MENSA and medical and pharmaceutical associations and is the recipient of numerous awards.
Awards
Dr. Brick is a double Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) in both psychopharmacology and psychology. APA Fellow status in Psychopharmacology is only awarded to recipients in recognition of the national impact of their work in the field, not merely publications or academic stature.
In recognition of his contributions to the field of crash investigations he was made a Lifetime Member of NJ Association of Accident Reconstructionists for his service to the field of Accident Reconstruction. His work in the prevention of alcohol and drug related problems has been recognized by MADD and other organizations.
Most recently, Dr. Brick was awarded Full Membership to The Vidocq Society where he regularly contributes his expertise to assisting in solving cold case homicides. Although the Society has hundreds of Members, Full membership is limited to 82 members world-wide. In recognition of his work, he received the 2024 Vidocq Medal for “Extraordinary Achievement.”
Miscellaneous Interests include, painting, keyboard composition, woodworking, garden design, the field application of GSPs and astronomy. Dr. Brick is a nationally certified RSO and graduate of the Smith & Wesson Academy.