Expanding Forensic Education and Enhancing Law Enforcement Training

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Middle Tennessee State University will use Fiscal Year 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funds to expand its forensic curriculum as a means of graduating more forensic scientists and technicians to fill laboratory positions and to provide quality in-service training for Tennessee law enforcement while exploring distance learning as an alternative. The project will target university students, forensic scientists, forensic technicians, and law enforcement. The proposal will develop six forensic science courses at MTSU, train one faculty member in computer forensics, provide incentive for six MTSU students to conduct forensic science research and present results regionally and nationally, host a gangs conference for law enforcement, develop three short online workshops (i.e., Child Abuse, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operations), provide 12 traditional in-service training workshops (i.e., Basic Crime Scene Investigation, Homicide Investigation, Forensic Photography, Forensic Computer), and develop and present four online workshops on the previous four topics.

NCA/NCF