Marshall University Law Enforcement Training Center in Forensic Sciences

This proposal begins an effort that hopes to build capacity at Marshall University to address the needed training of state and local law enforcement officials in forensic science techniques – particularly in the technical areas of Cyber Forensics tools and processes and in Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) Technologies. The principal investigators (PIs) for this initiative are Dr. David Dampier, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences and Director of the Institute for Cyber Security and Mr. Jason Chute, Director of the Marshall University Forensic Science Center. The total cost for this proposed effort is $1,750,000.00 during the period October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2024. Collaborators include the State of West Virginia State Police Forensics Laboratory and the Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC) of Huntington, West Virginia. Long-term goals of this initiative include support for the State’s Forensic Science Laboratories for both Cyber Forensics and Forensic Genetic Genealogy in Huntington, WV and training state and local law enforcement officials on a regional basis in modern tactical forensic techniques necessary for combating the growing incidence of both computer-based crime, as well as on DNA technologies to provide investigative leads in the effort to help solve criminal cases. Deliverables include no cost technical short courses for state and local law enforcement officials and building and renewing local police forensic laboratories.