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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. Who is eligible for Forensic training?
2. How is a selection made for the Virginia Forensic Science Academy?
3. Does the Academy maintain a waiting list?
4. If I attend a course offered by the Division of Forensic Science, does this make me an expert in the discipline?
5. What materials will an officer need for the Academy?
6. Where do out of town students stay when attending the Academy?
7. What topics are taught in the Forensic Science Academy?
8. What is the evaluation system for the Forensic Science Academy?
9. Is college credit available for student completing the Forensic Science Academy?

Answers

1. Who is eligible for Forensic training?
   
   

   Officers or civilian employees of Criminal Justice agencies within the state of Virginia.

2. How is a selection made for the Virginia Forensic Science Academy?
   
   

   The candidate selection procedure is currently divided into three basic parts.

   1. A review of the candidates application by the Selection Committee (the Selection Committee is generally composed of members of the Training Section and other faculty members).
   2. An interview with two Division Representatives (The Forensic Training Manager, Regional Director, Training Staff member, or other Academy Faculty member.

   Following a review of the candidate's application and the interview report, the Academy's Selection Committee makes the final recommendation to the Division Administration.

3. Does the Academy maintain a waiting list?
   
   

   Yes, the DFS Training Section maintains an active list of candidates for the Academy. These candidates will be considered by the Selection Committee for each session as long as they are still on the active list. The candidate will have to update their application three years after the initial submission of the application. If the updated application is not received within ninety days of the three year anniversary date the application will be removed from the active list.

4. If I attend a course offered by the Division of Forensic Science, does this make me an expert in the discipline?
   
   

   The courses offered by the Division of Forensic Science provide an awareness of the discipline but additional training and/or experience would be required to become an expert.

5. What materials will an officer need for the Academy?
   
   

   All supplies and equipment will be provided by the Academy.

6. Where do out of town students stay when attending the Academy?
   
   

   Out of town students are housed at an appropriate Richmond area hotel.

7. What topics are taught in the Forensic Science Academy?
   
   

   Arson Evidence	Computer Crime Recovery
   Auto VIN Documentation	Homicide Evidence
   Bloodstain Pattern Documentation	Impression Evidence
   Crime Scene Protection	Latent Prints
   Crime Scene Search	Medical Examiner Cases
   Crime Scene Sketching	Photography - Digital & 35mm
   Criminal Investigative Analysis	Toolmarks
   Entomology and Anthropology	Toxicology
   Evidence Law	Trace Evidence
   Firearms	Questioned Documents
   Forensic Biology	Moot Court
   Drug Evidence

   
   
   
8. What is the evaluation system for the Forensic Science Academy?
   
   

   Students participate in a vigorous academic program and are evaluated by class performance, test and application of recovery techniques, and presentation on a specific area of physical evidence.

9. Is college credit available for student completing the Forensic Science Academy?
   
   

   College credit is available through application to Virginia Commonwealth University and some Community Colleges.

View other Frequently Asked Questions.