Fort Valley State University News October 3, 2012 FVSU forensic sciences program secures $287,000 NSF grant Fort Valley State University has been awarded a $287,136 grant from the National Science Foundation to help fund the study of forensic sciences over the next three years. The grant makes it possible for FVSU to purchase the tools that allow students to have hands-on experience examining DNA, fingerprints, blood and hair samples, gunshot residue and many other elements of forensic science. "Learning about DNA and hair structure, and learning a lot about gunshot evidence from books or lectures is fine, but doing it in a lab and seeing how to use the evidence is pertinent," said Seema Dhir, FVSU assistant professor biology. "We were missing that piece in training our students. We have a forensic science program but not enough resources to support it. There is no lab equipment. Having a steady supply of resources is really helpful." Dhir said FVSU's forensics program has been here for about five years, but the NSF funding allows it to become a more complete program. The NSF grant, called "Targeted Infusion: Strengthening Forensic Science Undergraduates Research and Instruction Program," will help FVSU purchase equipment like a comparison microscope, which can reveal if bullets came from the same weapon. Other equipment that will be purchased includes a stereo microscope with a camera and projection system, a real-time PCR machine, a high power UVC decontamination cabinet to examine DNA evidence and an optical projector for the visual comparison of record and recovered fingerprints. "The NSF grants targets an area and strengthens it," Dhir said. "That's just what is happening for our forensic sciences program." FVSU graduating biology seniors Michelle Anderson and Brentnol Baker are looking forward to careers where they can use their concentration in forensic science. Both say the program will benefit greatly by having more tools-of-the-trade in the classroom. "I felt the coursework was interesting, but we were held back a little because of the lack of equipment and certain things we needed," Baker said. Anderson agrees, "We had limited instruments to gain knowledge of all the things in a crime lab," she said. The coursework does allow students to participate in case studies, Dhir said. "Through case studies, they may examine the O.J. Simpson case and come back to tell me how the investigation was done and what would they do differently," Dhir said. "We discuss how DNA evidence can solve a case, and what can go wrong. We also conduct case studies using the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinski situation, and my students have looked at the JonBenét Ramsey case. We want to introduce inquiry-based learning into our curriculum." While completing the forensic sciences track at FVSU, students can also take paid internships at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or other places such as University of Birmingham, Ala. The NSF grant has funding to support six students for summer internships. Additional financial support is available for students to participate in mentored research during academic year. In order to secure the NSF grant, Dhir has completed additional training in bio-security and bio-defense at the University of Maryland, University College. This gave the NSF confidence that the lead instructor (principal investigator) managing the grant had a strong background in this area, she said. "This course is really popular," Dhir said. "They all watch CSI. My students get a kick when they can tell me whose DNA matches the evidence." Shows like "Bones" and "CSI, New York " got Anderson interested in forensics, she said. "I liked the way they work in the lab, how important lab work is, and how it all comes together to solve a crime," Anderson said. The interdisciplinary team of faculty members involved in this project are Seema Dhir and Dr. Melinda Davis from biology; Michael Qualls from criminal justice and Dr. Dwayne Daniels and Dr. Robin Bright from chemistry. For more information about FVSU's forensic sciences program, call (478) 825-6338 or (478) 825-6240. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.