ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A volunteer stint with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in St. John's and the connection with an officer there helped guide a career path in forensic psychology for Brent Snook.
“I was lucky to have been partnered with an officer — John C. House. We started talking about the course I had just finished in Liverpool and he told me he had just done the same course,’’ Snook said.
“I was amazed because nobody in Canada had done the course and ironically, here we are,’’ he added.
The two of them worked hard to improve policing through science using an ethical science model based on a forensic psychology program that was being employed in the United Kingdom at the time.
In fact, Snook noted, House was way ahead of his time collecting and storing DNA from crime scenes, something that helped the RNC solve a murder years after the fact.
His diligence in storing DNA from one crime scene at the Health Sciences Centre led to a sample being later tested that helped to identify and convict a suspect for murder.
“This led me to becoming a psychologist specializing in forensic psychology,’’ Snook said.
Snook’s tenure as a professor at Memorial University started in 2004, a year after he spent time at the University of New Brunswick at Saint John.
He completed his masters degree at Memorial in 1999 and went to England for the next phase of his education where he earned his PhD from the University of Liverpool in 2003.
In between, he married his wife, Brenda, and the two set out to build a life together.
His training in England surrounded the study of human behaviour within the criminal justice system and ultimately learning why men are violent.
The research he conducts within his department examines the validity and reliability of various psychological-based investigative practices and decision making within the criminal justice system.
And if that isn’t enough, he and Brenda have spent their spare time this summer travelling to golf events with their twin girls Mila and Freya, embarking on jaunts to Pebble Beach in California and Pinehurst in North Carolina, a trip to Halifax for a qualifying event and a second event in Ontario.
Snook has also been part of co-authoring publications more than 70 times during his tenure at Memorial.
In addition, he has been hired by police services in Vermont to teach this model to its officers.
1. What is your full name?
Stephen Brent Snook.
2. Where and when were you born?
Grand Bank, NL. 1974.
3. Where do you live today?
Portugal Cove, NL.
4. What is your favourite place in the world?
Terra Nova Golf Resort – it is so peaceful.
5. Who do you follow on social media?
I am a fuddy duddy when it comes to social media — I do not use any social media apps.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I used to speak Korean.
7. What’s been your favourite year and why?
2019! Both of my 8-year old twin daughters competed in a World Junior Golf Championship (Torrey Pines, CA & Pinehurst, NC)
8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Telling my children their poppy passed away.
9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
The birth of my twin daughters.
10. What is your greatest indulgence?
Coffee (and chocolate).
11. What is your favourite movie or book?
Movie: “Jean de Florette” (1986) & “Amal” (2007).
Book: “Moneyball” (2003, by Michael Lewis) — a wonderful combination of science and sport.
12. What are you reading or watching right now?
“Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” (Netflix).
13. What is your greatest fear?
Heights.
14. How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
I say nonexistent and boring. My wife says sport casual because I live in my golf clothes.
15. What is your most treasured possession?
A signed hockey stick from Steve Yzerman.
16. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
Generosity.
17. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?
Steve Yzerman, Tiger Woods and Serena Williams.
18. What is your best quality?
I am not sure. Humility? ... Humour?
19. What is your worst quality?
Impatience.
20. What’s your biggest regret?
I have two. Not having children sooner and not travelling to see Steve Yzerman play in person before he retired.
