The Midwest Forensics Resource Center at Ames Laboratory will receive an additional $3 million in federal funding, according to a recent announcement by U.S. Representative Tom Latham.
"These funds will help the Midwest Forensics Resource Center continue to provide much needed assistance to crime laboratories and law-enforcement agencies nationwide," said Congressman Latham. "I am pleased to be able to secure funding for this critical effort."
This latest round of funding from Congressman Latham comes on the back of $3 million in funds he secured for the MFRC in 2002, which helped get the center up and running. Since that time, the MFRC has made strides in all four of its focus areas. In case-work assistance, efforts are focused on creating a Web-based database of forensic resources and establishing a network of specialized casework resources. This database helps Midwestern criminalists access outside expertise. In the area of training, the MFRC is serving as a focal point for providing nationally recognized training to the partner states. The MFRC is also customizing training to meet the needs of the regions.
In research, the center has issued two requests for research proposals to Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory and participating state crime labs. Up to 10 of these proposals are expected to be funded. In February, a number of Ames Lab and ISU researchers visited the Iowa Criminalistics Laboratory and gave presentations on current research projects.
Presenters included: Scott Chumbley, Ames Lab and materials science and engineering, on identification of explosives from bomb-blast deformation of metals; Alicia Carriquiry, statistics, on development of statistical basis for bullet/bullet-fragment evidence; Fred Janzen, zoology and genetics, on use of DNA research in wildlife forensic analyses; and Marit Nilsen-Hamilton, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, on methods of advanced drug/chemical detection and analysis.
In the area of education, the MFRC has facilitated the development of a forensic science curricula at ISU. Materials Chemistry program director Pat Thiel has spearheaded this effort, which includes an NSF grant application and development of a Web site (http://www.external.ameslab.gov/forensics/main.htm).
"We're off to a great start, but that's just what it is — a start," said David Baldwin, director of the MFRC. "The future holds many opportunities for the MFRC to help crime labs and law-enforcement agencies in all areas of forensics."
In addition to the MFRC's efforts in training, the FBI Training Unit has asked the MFRC to consider serving as one of the FBI's training partners. The FBI has developed a virtual training academy in an effort to make forensic training more readily available through secure Internet connections and regional training centers.
~ Kerry Gibson