U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs JUNE 04 National Institute of Justice Special REPORT Education and Training in Forensic Science: A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions, and Students U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 John Ashcroft Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels Assistant Attorney General Sarah V. Hart Director, National Institute of Justice This and other publications and products of the National Institute of Justice can be found at: National Institute of Justice www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij Office of Justice Programs Partnerships for Safer Communities www.ojp.usdoj.gov JUNE 04 Education and Training in Forensic Science A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions, and Students Developed and Approved by the Technical Working Group for Education and Training in Forensic Science NCJ 203099 Sarah V. Hart Director Findings and conclusions of the research reported here are those of the authors and do not reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. The National Institute of Justice is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Message From the Director Forensic scientists play a pivotal role in the This publication is especially timely as criminal justice system, providing crucial President Bush has directed DOJ to information about the evidence to the trier undertake a $1 billion, 5-year program to of fact. Because the work they do both improve the Nation’s capacity to use DNA at the crime scene and in the laboratory evidence as a routine law enforcement tool. often must be used in court, it is especial­ This capacity-building plan seeks to improve ly important that the training and educa­ all aspects of the system—evidence collec­ tion of forensic scientists provide a solid tion, presentation, analysis, and use in scientific background and a broad base in court. Ensuring that this Nation has an criminalistics. adequate pool of trained forensic scien­ tists is critical to achieving this goal. Interest in forensic science has increased dramatically in the past 10 years. In I commend the hard work of the mem­ response to this interest, many universi­ bers of the Technical Working Group that ties have begun to offer degrees in foren­ created this consensus document. They sic science at both the undergraduate and are representative of forensic science edu­ graduate level. To ensure that these pro­ cators, laboratory directors, forensic sci­ grams adequately prepare practitioners ence trainers, education professionals, for their careers in operational laboratories, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Their the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has collective expert knowledge, experience, supported West Virginia University’s estab­ and dedication to the task made this effort lishment of the Technical Working Group a success. for Education and Training in Forensic Science for the purpose of recommending Educational programs and training models best practices for educational curriculums will vary based on the needs of the particu­ in forensic science. These recommenda­ lar organization and jurisdiction in which tions encompass the current best practices they are implemented. The criteria set forth and procedures for initial and continuing in this document can serve as a guide for training models to provide those seeking to universities to promote quality education become forensic scientists with the educa­ and training in forensic science disciplines tional and practical knowledge and skills by promoting a consistent approach while necessary to effectively support their role tailoring their programs to meet the needs in the criminal justice system. of the applicable community. Sarah V. Hart Director, National Institute of Justice iii Technical Working Group on Education and Training in Forensic Science The Technical Working Group on Education Education and Training in and Training in Forensic Science (TWGED) is a multidisciplinary group of content area Forensic Science experts from across the United States and Planning Panel Canada, from both urban and rural jurisdic­ tions, each representing his or her respec­ Dr. Jack Ballantyne tive agency or practice. Each individual is Associate Professor involved in educating and/or training foren­ Department of Chemistry sic scientists (as students or professionals). University of Central Florida They represent academia, forensic science Orlando, FL laboratories, professional forensic science Inspector Mark Dale organizations, and the legal system. Laboratory Director At the outset of the effort to develop this New York State Police Guide, the National Institute of Justice Albany, NY (NIJ) created a planning panel—composed Dr. Allison Eastman of forensic science educators, crime labo­ Supervisor of DNA Services ratory directors, and trainers—to define New York State Police needs, develop initial strategies, and steer Albany, NY the larger group. This planning panel first determined that an NIJ technical working Linda Errichetto group would provide the best approach Laboratory Director for addressing the demonstrated needs. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Additional members of the technical work­ Forensic Laboratory ing group were then selected from recom­ Las Vegas, NV mendations solicited from the planning panel and national organizations, includ­ Dr. Terry Fenger ing the American Academy of Forensic Director Sciences, American Society of Crime Marshall University Forensic Science Laboratory Directors, American Society Center of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Huntington, WV Accreditation Board, International Associa­ tion for Identification, Drug Enforcement Barry Fisher Administration, Federal Bureau of Investi­ Director gation, George Washington University, Scientific Services Bureau West Virginia University, Marshall Univer­ Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office sity, and the National Forensic Science Los Angeles, CA Technology Center. Dr. Jane Homeyer During a 1-year period, the 47 members Forensic Science Training Unit Chief and 2 designees of the TWGED listed Laboratory Division below worked together to develop this Federal Bureau of Investigation Guide: Quantico, VA v Peter Marone Garry Bombard Central Lab Director Director of Training Division of Forensic Sciences Illinois State Police Department Commonwealth of Virginia Forensic Sciences Command Richmond, VA Chicago, IL Dr. Carl Selavka Dr. Robert Briner Director Director Massachusetts State Police Crime Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Laboratory Laboratory Sudbury, MA Cape Girardeau, MO Dr. Ian Tebbett Dr. Michael Bourke Education and Training Consultant DNA Manager University of Florida Connecticut Department of Public Safety Gainesville, FL Meriden, CT* Dr. Michael Yura Dr. Yale Caplan Director Director Forensic Identification Program National Scientific Services West Virginia University Baltimore, MD Morgantown, WV Elizabeth Carpenter Laboratory Director Additional Technical Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory Working Group Members Portland, OR Alan Clark Dr. José Almirall Associate Deputy Assistant Administrator Director Office of Forensic Sciences Forensic Science Program Drug Enforcement Agency Headquarters Florida International University Washington, DC Miami, FL Dr. Peter DeForest Kathleen Barch Professor of Criminalistics Deputy Director John Jay College Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification City University of New York and Investigation New York, NY London, OH Dr. Christopher D’Elia Dr. Clifton Bishop Vice President for Research Curriculum Coordinator and Advisor State University of New York Forensic Identification Program Albany, NY West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Dr. Jamie Downs Director/Chief Medical Examiner Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Auburn, AL vi Dr. David Foran Susan Johns Assistant Professor Bureau Chief George Washington University Illinois State Police Department of Forensic Sciences Springfield, IL Washington, DC Dr. Graham Jones Dr. James Fox President Lipman Family Professor of Criminal Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board Justice Medical Examiner’s Office College of Criminal Justice Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Northeastern University Boston, MA Dr. Karen Kershenstein President Dr. Robert Fraas KWK Enterprises Director Fairfax Station, VA Forensic Science Program Eastern Kentucky University Kevin Lothridge Richmond, KY Deputy Director National Forensic Science and Technology Dr. Robert Gaensslen Center Director of Graduate Studies Largo, FL Forensic Science Program University of Illinois at Chicago Joseph Polski Chicago, IL Chief Operations Officer International Association for Identification Dr. Howard Harris Mendota Heights, MN Director Forensic Science Program Lawrence Presley University of New Haven Director of Criminalistics West Haven, CT National Medical Services Willow Grove, PA Dr. Neal Haskell Forensic Entomologist Victor Reeve St. Joseph’s College Laboratory Director Rensselaer, IN California Criminalistics Institute Sacramento, CA Carol Henderson, J.D. Professor of Law Gerald Richards Shepard Broad Law Center Richards Forensic Services Nova Southeastern University Laurel, MD Fort Lauderdale, FL Dr. Kathy Roberts Dwane Hilderbrand Assistant Professor Scottsdale Crime Laboratory California State University Scottsdale,