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SHELDON BORENSTEIN

FORENSIC ILLUSTRATION • CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION • DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE
818-489-3388  |  sheldon419@sbcglobal.net

 

 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Classically trained artist and animator with extensive experience creating illustrations, animations, anatomical depictions, and demonstrative evidence for criminal and civil matters. Collaborates with attorneys, investigators, and medical examiners on case-file review, crime-scene reconstruction, and courtroom visuals. Focuses on clear, accessible visual presentations that help jurors understand complex evidence.

 

 

FORENSIC AND DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE EXPERIENCE

  • County of Los Angeles — Demonstrative Drawings and Illustrations 2012–Present

Provides and manages demonstrative drawings and illustrations for complex matters, coordinating with multiple law firms.

  • Englert Forensics Consultants — Anatomical Illustrations 2010–Present

Works with the team on cases involving stabbings and shootings. Creates anatomical illustrations depicting wound locations, internal structures, and paths of knives or bullets, as supported by case materials.

  • Crime Scene Forensics — Tom Martin 2010–Present

Develops courtroom demonstrative evidence and reconstructs case files using depositions, autopsy materials, and crime-scene information.

  • Firegraphics LLC — Steve Chasteen 2012–2025

Created drawings, illustrations, and animations for fire, explosion, and homicide matters.

 

 

SELECTED TRAINING, LECTURES & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Col. Henry F. Williams Homicide Seminar, New York — participant (2010, 2011; invited in 2010).
  • Western States Training Conference on Death and Forensics, Nevada — participant (2010–2015); invited in 2014 and 2015.
  • Western States Training Conference — Arson Investigation (2016); Use of Force, four-day seminar (2017).
  • Western States Training Conference (2018) — invited to teach a two-day seminar, “Demonstrative Preparation from the Crime Scene to the Courtroom.”
  • County of Los Angeles Coroner — lecture on demonstrative evidence in death cases (2016).
  • CLE/CLEST training — co-taught “Understanding Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations” with Tom Martin.
  • FBI Los Angeles — presented forensic and crime-scene reconstruction process to agents at the Los Angeles Federal Building (December 2022).
  • FBI Los Angeles — assisted the Homicide/Violent Crimes team with a 34-year-old cold case reconstruction and weapon-identification effort; prepared 52 exhibits (2022).
  • FBI Los Angeles Citizens Academy graduate (Class of 2023); National Citizens Academy Alumni member (November 2023).

 

 

EDUCATION & TEACHING

  • San José State University, San José, California 1997–2020
Part-time Professor, Animation/Illustration Department; taught figure drawing, anatomy, and animation. Retired in September 2020; Emeritus.
 
  • California State University, Northridge (CSUN) — Drawing and Animation 5 years
 
  • ArtCenter College of Design — Drawing and Animation 1 semester
 
  • Disney Training Program — Drawing and Animation 1 semester
 
  • Chapman University, Orange County, California 2009–2014
Part-time Professor; taught classical figure drawing, anatomy, foundation drawing, color theory, and character design.
 
  • Sheldon’s Art Academy, Oak Park, California 2004–Present
Owner and instructor; teaches drawing, painting, and design fundamentals.
 
  • New Masters Academy 2021–Present
Instructor; teaches drawing and art fundamentals.
 
  • Instructional Videos and Fundamental Drawing Books 2008–Present
Created instructional videos and foundational drawing books distributed internationally and purchased by private schools and individuals.

 

 

ANIMATION, ILLUSTRATION & RELATED EXPERIENCE

  • Warner Bros. Feature Animation, Glendale, California, and London, England 1990–1997

Associate Supervisor of Clean-Up Animation and Lead Key Character Clean-Up Artist. Supervised clean-up animators on Space Jam and Quest for Camelot. Traveled to Europe during production to support technique continuity and teach animation concepts to the studio team.

 

  • Hyperion Animation, Glendale, California 1990–1992
Assistant Animator; also assisted the Director and Head Animator. Key Assistant Animator credits listed in Rover Dangerfield, Be Kids, and FernGully.

 
  • Rich Animation Studio, Glendale, California 1994
Lead Assistant Animator on Swan Princess.
 
  • Filmation Studio, Canoga Park, California 1982–1987
Assistant Animator, storyboard artist, video technician, and rotoscope artist.
 
  • Additional work
Commercial printing account executive; freelance illustration, commercials, video-game projects (including Lord of the Rings and Might and Magic), feature-film pitch bible, and consulting.

 

 

EDUCATION & ARTISTIC TRAINING

Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Art. Began mentorship with master artists at age 13. At age 19, invited to participate in and teach in the Hanna-Barbera Training Program; began teaching at Brandeis Art Institute.

 

 

SELECTED CASES & PROJECTS

  • Ortiz v. County and Deputy Sandoval
  • Olivares v. Fresno
  • State of Georgia v. Ryan Cooper (Lacambria Toomer case)
  • Economy Borough — Mike O’Brian embalmed-head case
  • Brewer Travon v. Jonesboro
  • Tom Martin dog case (October 2022)
  • Beth Courrau triple-murder case
  • Adams v. San Bernardino
  • Harry Karidis Productions — commercial storyboard
  • Dmitriy Mironov — feature-film pitch bible
  • Barbara Annette McClure — age progression
  • Burgos v. County of Los Angeles
  • Mullins v. Rutherford County
  • Cox v. Davidson County (Shane)
  • Knibbs v. Macon County (February 18, 2023)
  • Brown v. San Bernardino
  • Lucas v. Mullis
  • Statler v. Inglewood
  • Allen v. San Bernardino
  • Ewnetu v. County of Los Angeles
  • Aaron Hernandez — Baez Law Firm
  • Becks Williams Janet v. County of Los Angeles
  • Anderson v. County of Los Angeles
  • Kelli Thomas case
  • Monroy v. County of Riverside
  • Chris Dellorco — LA Chargers product illustration
  • Truck case — Shasta County
  • FBI Richard test-face project
  • FBI Caitlin Bowdler cold case
  • Fernando Fernandez — age progression, covert investigation
  • Tom Martin — Las Vegas officer-involved shooting
  • New York Prosecutors Training Institute — video
  • Pickett v. County of Los Angeles
  • Becks Soars — Los Angeles County
  • Rande Ferguson — Palm Springs forensics presentation
  • Fernando Fernandez — missing-person case
  • McFadden v. County of Los Angeles
  • Michael Valdez v. City of Denver
  • Davdrin Goffin — officer-involved shooting reconstruction, anatomy, illustration, and trajectory
  • Ernesto Gamino officer-involved shooting case
  • Burly officer-involved shooting case
  • Fernando Fernandez / Patrik Alford — missing-person identification
  • Fernando Fernandez — case described in source as “rappist case” (verify wording)
  • Morrison officer-involved shooting case
  • Dorm stabbing case
  • Manning & Kass — Nida case
  • Willoughby trial murder case
  • Utah murder case
  • Thomas officer-involved shooting case, Los Angeles
  • Spradling — officer-involved shooting reconstruction, animation, illustration, and trajectory

 

 

PORTFOLIO

Portfolios and case samples are available upon request.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing with great enthusiasm to support Mr. Sheldon Borenstein for a position within your company. Mr. Borenstein is an experienced forensics artist whose unique background allows him to specialize in a diverse range of fields. He is an expert at crime scene, homicide, arson, facial & aging reconstruction, and identification.

Mr. Borenstein is a very talented individual with an impeccable ability to investigate and accurately depict what transpired at a scene. He possesses a keen eye that goes beyond the ordinary, allowing him to capture details others might miss and skillfully translate them onto paper.

I have unwavering confidence in Mr. Sheldon Borenstein’s abilities in forensic investigation, research, and his unique inner vision. Given the opportunity, he will undoubtedly become an indispensable asset to the FBI.

If you need to call for a verbal recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Louis Perry
lperry@kadimasecurity.com

President: Kadima Security Services
Diplomate: ABC Homeland Security
Inspector: State of California Athletic Commission
Member: U.S. Ranger
Community Police Certified: Los Angeles Police Department
Security Expert: CBS2, NBC4, ABC7, KCAL9, and FOX11