A Jan. 30 workshop sponsored by Ames Laboratory's Midwest Forensics Resource Center brought together forensic science educators and representatives from crime laboratories across the Midwest to discuss the training students are receiving and skills needed by new crime lab employees.
Participants in the workshop included 20 representatives from 13 Midwestern college/university forensic sciences programs. These forensic sciences programs represented everything from two-year associate degree programs to dedicated Masters and Ph.D. programs.
Fifteen representatives from 12 crime laboratories were also present, along with persons from the National Institute of Justice Crime Laboratory Improvement Program and the Chair of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Committee.
While the workshop was designed as an introductory session, program participants expressed interest in developing more formal and ongoing relationships to develop and better implement forensic curricula. The MFRC will continue to facilitate such dialogue.