Forensic program to hold series of national workshops
A $912,000 grant will allow the Syracuse University forensic science program to hold a series of national workshops with field practitioners, allowing professors to develop curriculum and prepare students better.
‘This sort of program allows direct interaction with forensic science practitioners and will be a big help, since they are the ones who will be employing our students in the future,’ said Michael Sponsler, a professor of chemistry and director of the forensic science program.
The grant comes from the National Institute of Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice and will fund workshops to explore scientific advances in the biology and anthropology of human remains. It will also help identify new areas of forensics research.
The workshops at SU will feature about 40 to 50 practicing anthropologists who will speak on a variety of current forensic topics over the next two years. All expenses will be funded by the grant, Sponsler said. The first workshop at the university is slated for the spring of 2010.
The program is intended to provide forensic professors with continuing education, Sponsler said. The workshops are not directed toward students but instead are for professionals to speak with professors in an effort to develop classes and courses.
Whether or not students will be able attend the workshops is still being determined, Sponsler said.
Ann Bunch, assistant professor of criminal justice at the College at Brockport, State University of New York, worked on getting the grant for SU. She said SU’s developed masters and minor programs made the school a good candidate to host such workshops.
Bunch said she hopes SU will receive additional grants in the future to host more discussions and increase the collaboration with practicing professionals in the forensic science field.
‘We are having the future employers of today’s students come discuss current forensic science topics and learn about our program,’ Bunch said. ‘It will benefit everyone involved.’
The workshops’ findings, which will be published, are designed to help set the national research agenda. The agenda will further develop work on the identification of human remains in forensic science, Sponsler said.
SU began its forensic science master’s program in 2008, and it is now one of the largest graduate-level collaborative efforts at the university. The program involves the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Upstate Medical University and the Wallie Howard Jr. Center for Forensic Sciences in the city of Syracuse. SU also offers a minor in forensic science.
Some schools offer forensic science as a class within a criminal justice major, but are limited because of their budget or technology to offer it at a master’s level or as a major. Students have expressed more interest in forensic science, leading to the growth of the program at SU, Sponsler said.
Published on October 13, 2009 at 12:00 pm
