IFRI takes forensics beyond the lab

This week, FIU’s International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) kicks off its Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program, bringing groundbreaking forensic science research to working professionals.

The series of weeklong workshops is designed to provide quality hands-on training for forensic science practitioners. Hosted throughout the year on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus, the four workshops cover specific areas of instrumental trace evidence analysis. The hands-on training is undertaken in IFRI’s Trace Evidence Analysis Facility (TEAF). Funded by the National Institute of Justice, participants employed by state and local government forensic laboratories can attend the workshops at no cost.

Fourth year Ph.D. candidate, Katylynn Beltz, speaks to a TSA employee during the 2012 IFRI Forensic Science Symposium.

“The information provided in the training is the current state-of-the-art in forensic science practice,” said Jose Almirall, director of IFRI and TEAF. “These workshops offer the opportunity to disseminate the standard of practice to the wider user community,” Almirall said.

In March, IFRI hosted its first Forensic Science Symposium, bringing together state and local law enforcement agencies to share new forensic techniques and to showcase cutting-edge research conducted within the university. Current practitioners and academics led forums and sessions featuring key topics such as comparative science techniques, DNA, trace evidence, toxicology and fire debris.

The next Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery workshop will cover the forensic examination and comparison of glass evidence for beginner and intermediate examiners and is scheduled for June 4. Attendees can apply for one or more sessions, depending on their specific interests, level of experience and availability. For application materials and additional workshop information, visit teaf.fiu.edu.