About Dr. Bryce Westlake, PhD

Bridging 15+ years of peer-reviewed empirical research, international briefings, and forensic methodology with the evidentiary demands of litigation. Dr. Bryce Westlake, PhD is an interdisciplinary criminologist, digital forensics expert, and subcultural behavioral analyst. His practice centers on two primary domains:

1. CSAM Digital Forensics & Platform Governance: The production, dissemination, automated detection, and platform prevention of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across digital networks, forums, and social media platforms.
   
2. BDSM & Kink Subcultural Behavior: Empirical analysis of participant motivations, psychological well-being, interpersonal negotiation, subcultural vernacular, and evidence-based consent frameworks.

Academic Background & Forensic Leadership

Dr. Westlake earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of British Columbia (conducting early research on the Dark Triad), followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. His doctoral research analyzed the structure, evolution, and network connectivity of online child exploitation platforms.

In 2015, Dr. Westlake joined San Jose State University (SJSU) as a faculty member in the Department of Justice Studies, where he developed the United States’ first in-person digital forensics bachelor’s degree program. In 2023, he founded the Silicon Valley Digital Forensics Laboratory, establishing operational partnerships with criminal justice and law enforcement agencies to train investigators in digital evidence collection, forensic report writing, and courtroom testimony. In 2025, he transitioned to Adelaide University within the School of Society and Culture.