Credit: Michigan State Police
Sunday kicked off the 10th anniversary of National Forensic Science Week, seven days to recognize the important role proper forensic science plays in the investigation of crimes, from exonerating the innocent to identifying the guilty.
Many universities, organizations, police departments and others are celebrating and acknowledging the hard work forensic professionals put into their jobs, especially given the mental toll working with crime investigations can have on an individual. Additionally, some areas of forensic science can be “thankless,” but that doesn’t stop professionals from doing everything they can to pursue justice.
Let’s take a look at what different organizations are doing to celebrate National Forensic Science Week 2022.
Research review and a murder mystery
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), led by RTI International and supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), has an entire week of events planned. On Tuesday, they hosted the inaugural Graduate Research Symposium to give graduate students and early career scientists the opportunity to present their research findings and promote the transition of research into practice. They also held a Student Poster Session to highlight student research in the forensic sciences. (Both are available on-demand by following the links.)
Everyday, FTCoE is releasing an “Ask the Expert” Q&A covering a variety of forensic science disciplines. Four interviews are currently published with experts in forensic chemistry, trace evidence, DNA analysis and medicolegal death investigation. More interviews will continue to be posted throughout the remainder of the week.
Last but certainly not least, FTCoE is hosting a murder mystery event throughout the week. The case background was released last week, and they are released a new evidence-based clue every day this week. Participants can fill out a mystery-related questionnaire with their murder theory on Friday, and FTCoE will release the full case review on Monday, Sept. 26.
Past, present and future
Even though UK-based foster+freeman is in a country that doesn’t really celebrate National Forensic Science Week, the fingerprinting innovators put a neat spin on the week. On their Twitter account, they are celebrating the past, present and future of forensic science by sharing resources and photos that highlight where the science was, where it is now, and where it’s going. For example, they shared an ad for the first commercially available cyanoacrylate fingerprint fuming cabinet, the Sandridge Cabinet, which was a precursor to today's technologically advanced MVC cabinets.
They also shared a photo of the original foster+freeman Video Spectral Comparator (VSC-1) for document examination, which is cool to see next to today’s VSC-8000 hardware and computer monitor setup.
Police departments
Forensic science and law enforcement are intrinsically connected, and many police departments in the U.S. are showing their support for their dedicated lab counterparts this week.
On Tuesday, the Idaho State Police held a public presentation at Boise State University feature forensic subject matter experts from the laboratory. The event culminated with the awarding of the Rick Groff Visionary Leadership in Forensic Science Award in recognition of outstanding and visionary leadership of forensic science. This year, the award was given to Kerry Hogan, who currently supervises the latent print section with the Idaho State Police Forensic Services, while also performing analysis in the controlled substance unit. In addition, Hogan represents the laboratory on the Board of the Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists where she advocates for forensic science training and education for coworkers and other forensic scientists.
All week, the department is offering the first-ever public tours of the Idaho State Police Forensic Services laboratory.
In-person and virtual lab tours are a common offering from police departments during National Forensic Science Week. The Baltimore County Police Department and the Phoenix Police Department have also shared educational videos featuring their laboratory personnel.
Meanwhile, the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division has highlighted forensic scientists like Jessica Drager, who spends some workdays examining evidence collected at crime scenes to try to detect DNA, and others assisting the technical team in researching new equipment or methods to improve how sexual assault cases are processed. There’s also Keith LaMont, lab manager for the department’s Bridgeport Lab, who, along with his 30 employees, adopt a family they’ve come into contact with professionally during the holiday season.
“We have hundreds of stories like that, one for each of our nearly 300 employees,” said Jeff Nye, Director of the Forensic Science Division. “Our women and men are highly skilled. They excel professionally and equally as important, they value service to community both professionally and personally.”
Student food and entertainment
Universities are also getting into the spirit, hosting events and other activities for forensic science enthusiasts. Today, for example, the Forensic Science Student Association at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is hosting a “fingerprints and fun” event. The budding forensic scientists with the association are inviting the public to take a look at their own fingerprints while learning how fingerprints are processed, lifted, and examined in a crime lab.
To close out the week on Friday, the Forensic Science Student Association is also holding a 1920s gangster-themed murder mystery, complete with costumes and food.
St. Edward's University's School of Natural Sciences in Austin, Texas, celebrated National Forensic Science Week on Monday by handing out a free taco to anyone that shared their favorite forensic science TV show. Today, the school is also inviting students to make macrame DNA keychains together.
Cold Case Symposium
Lastly, Arizona State University’s Forensic Science Program in conjunction with Purdue University will co-host the inaugural Cold Case Symposium on Friday, Sept. 23, to end National Forensic Science Week. The event features three speakers—Sarah Turney, an advocate and host of the true crime podcast Voices for Justice and Disappearances; David Robinson, who leads the effort to find his missing son; and Kelsi German, who’s younger sister was a victim in a 2017 double homicide in Indiana. Attendees will learn about resources available for cold cases and hear what student work is being conducted at Arizona State University and Purdue University to bring awareness to the cold case crisis in the United States.
Did your organization schedule something special this week to recognize the vital role forensic professionals play in today’s criminal justice system? If so, drop a comment below!