James Abbott began his law enforcement career in 1995 and retired after thirty years in July 2025. During his law enforcement career, he served as a patrol officer and in criminal investigations. During his time in investigations, he was assigned to multiple investigative units, including general, gang, special victims, and violent crime. From December 2018 to April 2022, he served as a sergeant in the violent crime unit, and from April 2022 to his retirement in July 2025, he was a lieutenant over both the violent crimes and special victims units.

James has had numerous courses in criminal and crime scene investigations. In addition to his investigative training, he is a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA leadership Trilogy and a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff & Command. James has also completed the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Instructor Development course. In addition to law enforcement training, James has bachelor's and master's degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

James has taught numerous Criminal Justice and Investigative Classes. James is currently a lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and, prior to that, served as an adjunct professor at both MTSU and Tennessee State University. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center, where he taught basic criminal investigations and crime scene management classes.

James’s primary research interest focuses on the use of forensic and technological tools to help criminal investigators improve investigative clearance rates. This includes using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) as both a forensic and intelligence gathering tool. Further research interest involves the use of 3D imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) for bloodstain pattern analysis and crime scene reconstruction.

In addition to his law enforcement career, James served in the United States Army and the Tennessee National Guard, participating in both Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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