Ileene Berrios, center, received the 2012 Senior Merit Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Standing with Berrios is Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, left, and Dr. Alan Sams, Executive Associate Dean. Photo by TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Forensic and Investigative Sciences program would like to congratulate Ileene Berrios on receiving the 2012 Senior Merit Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The awards were handed out during the College’s annual Spring Awards Convocation recognition ceremony held in the AgriLife Center on March 31.

Berrios is a senior Forensic and Investigative Sciences major and is a member of the Corps of Cadets and has served as a Ross Volunteer, 1st BDE Sergeant Major and 1st BDE Commander.

In July 2011, Berrios also was involved in the Forensics and Biometrics Internship at the National Forensic Science Technology Center in Largo, Fla. The internship allows students in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) to learn how to use forensic science in the battlefield setting.

She has been honored as a member of the General O.R. Simpson Honor Society and has been named on the Dean’s and Corps of Cadets’ Honor Rolls several times. She also has served in the community by volunteering at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Physical Therapy Clinic and at the Beutel Physical Therapy Clinic.

Berrios is the second student in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program since its inception that has received the award, which is the highest honor given to undergraduates in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

To be eligible, students must be projected to graduate during the 2012 calendar year.

Berrios is expected to graduate in May 2012.

Students from AFIS help clean a yard for a local couple during The Big Event on Saturday, March 24. Photo By Maegan Kloesel.

COLLEGE STATION – Fifteen students from the Aggie Forensic and Investigative Science Organization(AFIS) divided up to assist two members  of the Bryan/College Station Community as they worked with thousands of other Aggies during the 2012 Big Event on Saturday, March 24.

During the 30th anniversary of the largest student-run community service event in the nation, students either assisted the Century 21 Beal Inc, Realtors with a benefit garage sale or they worked in the yard at the home of a local couple.

At the home, the first group of students helped the couple by painting trim work, cleaning windows, and performing cleanup of the front and back yards.  Rose Pauler, an AFIS student associated with the project, indicated that the couple worked on the house and property as best they could, but they were having difficulty keeping up with all the maintenance needed.

Pauler said that it was great helping the couple out and that serving the community is a very important part of being a student at Texas A&M.

“Participating in the Big Event is one of the many ways students of Texas A&M can say thank you to the many community members for sharing their community with us for 9 months out of the year,” she said. “I believe it is crucial for every Aggie to experience Big Event at least once before they graduate, to experience the joy of making a difference in someone’s life,  whether it be spending the afternoon cleaning a yard or helping with a benefit garage sale, community service is essential to the Aggie experience.”

The second group of AFIS students assisted with a garage sale held at the Century 21 Beal Real Estate offices in College Station, with the proceeds benefiting the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Easter Seals program.  AFIS student Natalie Martinez’s group helped with various tasks concerning the general setup and takedown of tables and other items that were used in the sale.

Members also assisted with arranging the  inventory and loading large furniture items and heavy boxes into people’s vehicles.

Martinez enjoyed volunteering at the sale and loved that she was helping out for a good cause.

“This was my fourth time doing the Big Event and no matter the job, I always feel happy knowing I helped someone who needed it,” she said. “The people who ask for help are always so kind and thankful that we came, it’s nice and I’m glad to be able to help out in any way I can.”

Martinez said she learned that no matter what the task is, small or big, there always is a time to help others.

“I thought it was so great of them to take a lot of time out of their schedules to put on and organize a big sale like that,” she said. “So, what I got out of it was, there’s always time to help others, even if it’s a small act.”

AFIS’ mission is to spread knowledge to the community and all those with an interest in Forensic Science. This organization provides hands-on experiences in an effort to create a better understanding of Forensic Science and all the fields that apply to it.  For more information about this student organizations, go to http://afiso.tamu.edu/.

Alex Weghorst (left) lays a marker while Charity Owings takes a photo during a mock crime scene investigation for the Crime Scene Investigation course held by the TEEX's Texas Forensic Science Academy in January.

The Forensic and Investigative Sciences program celebrated a milestone in its five-year history as the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences announced full accreditation of the program for five years on February 18.

“To get to this point so quickly required vast foresight, persistence, and coordination by many administrators, faculty, staff, and students,” stated Dr. Kevin M. Heinz, Director of the FIVS Program.  In the academic years immediately preceding the summer of 2006, Entomology majors within Forensic Entomology Track within the undergraduate Entomology degree program made known their desires to have an independent degree in forensics.  After careful study, the Department of Entomology faculty voted to proceed with creation of a new undergraduate degree program in Forensic and Investigative Sciences.

Dr. Jeff Tomberlin demonstrating blunt force trauma during an Introduction to Forensic & Investigative Sciences class

“Texas A&M University did not have Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authority to offer such a degree when we first started.  The University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Department of Entomology (home to the FIVS degree) had to work in perfect unison starting from square one,” said Heinz.

In little more than a year from conception, the FIVS degree program received approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in August 2007 following approvals at all levels of Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University Board of Regents.  The first class within the new degree was taught to 69 new students in Fall 2007.

What makes the Texas A&M University FIVS degree somewhat unique is its focus on the scientific foundations of discipline while at the same time providing a number of opportunities for students blend scientific knowledge with the practice of forensic science.  Collaborations with one Texas A&M University System partner, “the Texas Engineering Extension Service Forensic Science Academy, as well as those with local, state, and federal agencies provide FIVS students opportunities to work side-by-side with practicing forensic professionals.  All of these elements, together with and assessment of the number and quality of faculty, administrative support, and student placement are components evaluated during the accreditation process.

Sarah Bahlmann (left) and Bailey Harrington (right) work the Forensics table at 2011 Aggieland Saturday.

“Students graduating from an accredited program have an added assurance their education will assist them in establishing a career in forensic sciences by meeting the high requirements demanded by employers.  More employers are looking to FEPAC programs as the gold standard for forensic science education as they know students from these programs will have received education in all necessary science courses.  Graduates of the FIVS program will be the main benefactors of the FEPAC accreditation,” said Heinz.

Professor Dr. Jeff Tomberlin said having the certification is a great promotion tool to employers and prospective students.

“Receiving this certification represents a historic moment for the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program at Texas A&M University. Our students can now rest assured that our program meets national standards,” Tomberlin said.  “I am very thankful for the hard work by the administration, faculty, and staff associated with this degree. And, I am sure the future of our program will continue to be bright due to such continued efforts.”

“The FEPAC accreditation is another step in making the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at Texas A&M University one of the best programs in the country,” said academic advisor John Louis Bolch.  “Graduating from a FEPAC accredited program will provide national credentials and allow students to utilize their skills and knowledge to further the field of Forensic Science in a variety of careers.”

Dr. David Ragsdale, department of entomology head, said the accreditation should benefit students beginning with May 2012 graduates.

“We want to celebrate the accomplishment of accreditation as it is truly something the students, staff, faculty and administration should be proud of,” Ragsdale said.

Prospective students and their families gathering at the Forensic and Investigative Sciences and Department of Entomology booths during Aggieland Saturday

The rainy Saturday morning couldn’t stop more than 13,000 people from visiting staff and students associated with the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program Aggieland Saturday on February 18.

This annual campus-wide, one day, open house is a time for prospective students and their families. to meet current students, tour the dorms, visit libraries and computer labs and see what Texas A&M has to offer.

This is the first year that the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences portion was held in the AgriLife Center, which allowed all to experience some of the  state-of-the art facilities the College has to offer for students.

Prospective students with their families were able spend one-on-one time with Forensic and Investigative Sciences students and staff members in addition to being able to view various interactive displays at the booth.  Junior Forensic and Investigative Sciences major  Julie Butler said this was a great way for her to talk about the program and to help bring more students to Texas A&M.

“I think this is a great way and great chance to get to talk students that are interested in the program and to help us to grow larger,” she said.

Other activities included interactive displays with live insects and a maggot art display where visitors could make their own “Maggot Art” cards to keep.

“This really was a great experience,” said Adrian Perez, whose daughter was looking at the Forensics and Entomology table.

Kelsey Garner, left, and Meaghan Pimsler, right, talk to prospective students about the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program.

Visitors then learned more about the Forensics program during a short 30-minute overview presentation about what to expect in college as well as on the program itself. The rest of the day’s activities included various sessions on admissions, financial aid, and an “Ask The Aggies” segment by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Student Council.

“This is great,” said parent Laura Dillon. “I love the small classes and it’s definitely a huge plus. It’s also great that you get to know your professors too.”

Academic advisor John Louis Bolch was pleased with the turnout and the amount of participation during this year’s event.

“Aggieland Saturday would not be possible without the volunteerism of students in the department.  Current students get the opportunity to connect with prospective Aggies and encourage them through personal accounts and interactions.”

Meaghan Pimsler, right, receives her certificate from Cullen Grissom.

The Texas A&M University Forensic and Investigative Science Program and the Texas Engineering Extension Service’s Forensic Science Academy congratulates Meaghan Pimsler for completion of the training necessary resulting in her receipt of an International Association for Identification sanctioned Forensic Technician certificate.

Doctoral student Meaghan Pimsler was certified with the Forensic Technician certificate after completing the Crime Scene Investigation training session during the second week in January.  The course was filled to capacity, and the selection of students permitted to enroll was highly competitive.  Meaghan is the first student in 2012 and the fourth person to receive the Forensic Technician certificate since the program was initiated  in 2011. She joins Amber Kendrick, Rachel Mohr and Amanda Pena as the latest to complete the 80-hour training.

Meaghan Pimsler recording notes during a mock crime scene investigation for the Texas Forensic Science Academy's Crime Scene Investigation course.

Students participating in the course were either of junior or senior level forensic and investigative sciences majors, or were graduate students that worked in either Dr. Jeff Tomberlin’s or Aaron Tarone’s labs. This year’s class included juniors Madison Gaytan, Adriana Guerra, Alyssa Laymance, Mary Lowe, Jeffrey Ng, Charity Owings, Kortney Parchman, Meaghan Pimsler, Lindsey Thompson and Alex Weghorst.

To qualify for the certificate, students must complete two intensive weeklong training sessions in Crime Scene Investigation and Latent Print Processing (visit the TEEX Forensic Science Academy for more information). Once the students pass the exams and complete coursework, they receive a certificate and are awarded four credit hours for the courses.

Some of the investigational techniques the students learned included how to take proper field notes, protecting and preserving evidence at crime scenes, photography and sketching. Students were exposed to examples from past cases for each topic covered in the course.

Charity Owings takes a photo of evidence while Alex Weghorst tags it during a mock crime scene investigation at the TEEX Prop House

After each lecture, students also received hands-on training in proper photography techniques, sketching and measuring and packaging evidence. The students then used what they have learned throughout the week to investigate a mock crime scene set up in one of the TEEX  prop houses.

Pimsler said the training is important for anyone that is considering the forensic investigator field, as well as other careers in forensics. “I believe that TEEX and the Forensic Science Academy are offering a superlative service to the citizens of Texas and the United States by offering this training,” she said.   “Proper certification is vital at this stage in the development of the forensic sciences, because the techniques currently employed are becoming increasingly sophisticated with advances in technology.”

Instructor Celestina Rossi, adjunct assistant lecturer within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program, enjoyed the time she taught the group and praised the students on the amount of enthusiasm in the course.

“I think it’s incredible,” she said. “The students were all so attentive and were eager to learn. I think they have embraced the class very well.”

Junior Forensics major Katie Lowe enjoyed working with her fellow students and learning about crime scene investigation techniques. “This is great course and I learned a lot,” Lowe said.

Junior Madison Gaytan had looked forward to taking the course and loved working on the mock crime scene.“This has been a class that I have been waiting for a long time to take,” he said. “I loved it. It’s a great class.”

Pimsler enjoyed working with the Academy and plans to continue working on her Ph.D. and stay in the forensics field.

“I hope to continue my training in the forensic sciences, as well as my work on my Ph. D. here at Texas A&M University, so that I can develop techniques and tools to better assist peace officers and defense counsels in the future,” she said. “ I believe that I am in a unique and enviable position to receive cutting-edge training in the forensic sciences, and I extremely grateful to TEEX, the Forensic Science Academy, and Texas A&M University for the opportunity.”

The Forensic and Investigative Sciences degree program at Texas A&M prepares students for careers that involve the collection, preservation, processing and use of evidence and information to solve problems. These careers include law, medicine, homeland security, public safety, political science, environmental quality, agriculture, public health, chemistry, anthropology, physics, computer science and business.

The partnership between the academic Forensic and Investigative Sciences program within the Department of Entomology the vocational training provided by the TEEX Texas Forensic Science Academy is an example of a multiagency partnership putting students first. This partnership between faculty and students of TAMU’s Forensic and Investigative Sciences program and experts from TEEX’s Forensic Science Academy continues to strengthen the curriculum at Texas A&M and offer students an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge technologies and current field methods.

Graduating Forensics students Andrea Canalda (left) and Clay Tyler (right) getting ready to walk the stage at Reed Arena

Two students were part of the more than 3,000 Texas A&M University students that received their diplomas during Fall 2011 graduation ceremonies. Students and families listened to acting dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service Andrew Card during the convocation on Thursday.

Assistant Professor Jeff Tomberlin was very excited about the students graduating and proud of their hard work and determination during their time they were here at A&M.

“My enthusiasm for the students of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program continues to remain elevated as the resulting graduates have bright futures,” he said. “They will do an excellent job representing Texas A&M University in the forensic sciences community in Texas as well as throughout the United States.”

Academic advisor John Louis Bolch was very proud of the students’ accomplishments this year.

“As an academic advisor it is always a pleasure to see students succeed.  Each student did their best and gave it their all – their reward is walking across the stage and knowing they accomplished one of the greatest goals any person can aspire to,” he said. “It has been a long and sometimes challenging road, but each student’s achievement today is a testament to their character and ambition. I am proud of each of them and wish them luck as they pursue their future goals and dreams.”

Join us in congratulating our Fall 2011 FIVS graduates.  Check back with us now and then as we report on their future accomplishments.  Gig ‘em FIVS Aggies!

Forensics Student Organization Helps Out Local Resident During Big Event

COLLEGE STATION—Spring cleaning took on a new meaning as several members of the Aggie Forensic Investigative Science Organization (AFIS) recently participated in nation’s largest, one-day, service project at Texas A&M University – The Big Event.

AFIS members spent Saturday March 26, 2011, helping a local resident prepare a garden for planting season and complete general repairs around her home.

The group’s assignment was part of the large-scale student-run service project, where Texas A&M students give back to the residents of the Bryan-College Station area by working on different jobs.

This year, AFIS was assigned to work on Dr. Amy Sharp’s home in College Station. Saturday’s work included moving a large amount of grass, cleaning up her garden, and tilling soil beds in her back yard.

Sharp was excited to see the AFIS members working hard and helping her with these tasks.

Students from AFIS paint the trim on Dr. Sharp's garage.

“I was really impressed with the quality of young adults that showed up to help me out,” Sharp said. “Their hard work and great attitude was very much appreciated.”

AFIS member Maegan Kloesel said that everything went well and that the event was an excellent way to serve the community.

“I thought the task would be difficult at first, just because of the amount of work at hand, but with everyone’s positive attitude and teamwork we managed to do an excellent job,” Kloesel said. “We could definitely call the day a huge success.”

Students helping Dr. Sharp with some yard work.

Rose Pauler said the time that her and other members spent working at the house was a great way to come together as a group.

“Working with the other AFIS members in Dr. Sharp’s yard was an amazing experience. We were able to use the tools of friendship, hard work, and determination to accomplish an amazing task,” Pauler said. “This allowed us the time to get to know each other on a level other than what we do in AFIS. We got to learn about each other’s backgrounds and what other member’s future plans are.”

The AFIS organization participates in a wide variety of outreach events for the Department of Entomology including: Relay for Life, Aggieland Saturday, MSC Open House, and holiday events with the Rotary Club of Aggieland.  AFIS is a student-run organization and is open to both graduates and undergraduates of Texas A&M University, affiliated with any major.

COLLEGE STATION —Students from Texas high schools got a lesson in forensics as members of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program and Dr. Jeff Tomberlin’s FLIES lab participated in the annual Youth Adventure Program.

The event was held between July 24-30 at the Heep Center and at Tomberlin’s lab. The program is designed to encourage career exploration in the fields of interest to students in the 6th through 12th grades. Students that were attending the Forensics portion ranged from the 9th through the 12th grades.

Participants in the program are highly motivated to learn, think, and solve problems, and they typically have a strong interest in going to a college, university, and/or professional school. Each student selects one area of interest and studies only that area for the entire session, getting in-depth insights into the experiences of professionals in that particular field.

This is the fourth year that members of the lab have participated in the outreach event, which included interactive experiments and demonstrations with students on the various techniques used by many forensic scientists during investigations.

During the week, students watched as members of the lab demonstrated how to measure bloodspatter patterns, lift fingerprints from different media, and collect evidence at crime scenes. The students also had the chance to use what they had learned during a hands-on demonstration each day after the lecture.

The final day included four mock crime scenes that were set up outside Tomberlin’s lab building. During the morning, students were split into several small groups where they were challenged to solve a crime using the evidence that they see at each station.

“This is great,” one student participating during the mock crime scene said. “I have never got to see this done before and it’s cool seeing how it is done. This is definitely something I can use in the future.”

Professor Jeff Tomberlin said the program was a great way for the youths to learn about forensics and the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at the university.

“The program is an excellent mechanism through which Texas A&M can recruit future students,” he said. “I also see it as an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program.”

“We all love the outreach aspect of the program,” said Ph.D. student Adrienne Brundage, who coordinated a previous event. “It’s great fun to be able to share knowledge and science with a group of young students, especially when those students are interested in what you’re trying to teach.”

The Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program welcomes visits from students with immediate interests of possible enrollment in the program.  Interested parties should contact Mr. John Louis Bolch at jlbolch@ag.tamu.edu in organizing visits.

Charity Owings shows Chris Reid how to properly mount a mite on a slide during a special acarology workshop.

COLLEGE STATION — The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building on the Texas A&M campus was filled with ideas and findings from new research as forensic entomologists from around the world convened for the ninth annual North American Forensic Entomology Association meeting.

The organization’s main aim is to promote the development of forensic entomology throughout North America and to encourage cooperation with other similar international bodies. The mission is to provide a cooperative arena for forensic entomologists to interact and collaborate in ways that enhance the science, moral and ethical foundation, and reputation of forensic entomology.

The meeting was held from July 21-23 and showcased forensic entomology research from 12 nations including, but not limited to, Kuwait, Malaysia, Australia, and Germany.

Dr. Jeff Tomberlin speaking during a session.

“The best part of this conference was the collegial interactions of individuals from around the world,”  Dr. Jeff Tomberlin said. ”The room was brimming with excitement regarding advancements in decomposition ecology and its application in criminal investigations,”

A special workshop on acarology (i.e, mites and ticks) was organized by students and faculty within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at TAMU.  Student organizers Charity Owings and Meaghan Pimsler, together with Dr. Pete Teel discussed a general overview of acarology, the collection, processing and preparation of mite samples, and what to look for in making proper mite identifications.   Participants practiced what they learned through various hands-on exercises preparing slides and identifying specimens.

Meaghan Pimsler demonstrating how to capture a mite for observation.

During the conference, speakers delivered 42 platform presentations and scientists presented 13 posters. The first session’s oral presentations were on the theme of succession in forensic entomology and covered such areas as decomposition and arthropod succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in Canada, and insect timing and succession on Buried Carrion in East Lansing, Michigan.  Other sessions included subjects such as molecular forensic entomology, ecology and microbiology, and development.

As a keynote speaker, Dr. Roger Gold, Endowed Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, addressed the relationships between urban entomology and forensic science. Attendees used the breaks to view the various posters and discuss their content with the presenters.

The evening wrapped up with an awards presentation at the mixer held in the Benjamin Knox Gallery. A former participant in the Research Experience for Undergraduates: Expanding Scientific Investigation Through Entomology undergraduate student Michael Diaz, who conducted his NSF-funded research during the summer of 2010, received first place in the Non-Doctoral Student oral presentation. Diaz investigated the relationship between blow fly larval size size and time of dispersal from carrion as a means to improve estimates of time of colonization of carrion under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Tomberlin.

Jason Byrd, right, shows Eric Benbow a poster during the break outside the auditorium.

In the Ph.D. division, Meaghan Pimsler received first place for her presentation titled “Bacteria Regulate Attraction and Colonization of a Resource by the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)”. Adrienne Brundage received second place for her oral presentation titled “Effects of Temporal Priority on Interactions Between Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Larvae on a Carrion Resource”.   Both of these student are a member of Dr. Tomberlin’s research group, who exclaimed,”The students from Texas A&M did a phenomenal job representing their university, I am so proud of them.”

Friday’s sessions began with talks on the development, life history traits in forensically important fly species, PMI estimations, and succession in forensic entomology. Keynote speaker Dr. J.P. Masly of the University of Oklahoma led the after-lunch sessions with his presentation titled “Genetics, Genomics and Genitalia: Dissecting the molecular basis of species-specific morphology in Drosophila.” The concluding sessions then included topics on case studies, as well as topics on the current state of forensic entomology and final comments from Schoenly and Sherah VanLaerhoven.