The May Forensic Technician certificate recipients. From left to right are: Emily Grimshaw, Emily Vincent, Cady Mello, Carmen Tellez, Alex Gordy, and Henry Junkert. Photo by Rob Williams.
Carmen Tellez inspecting an item for latent fingerprints. Photo by Rob Williams.
BRYAN, Texas–Six students that were involved in this May’s Texas Engineering Extension Service’s Texas Forensic Science Academy will have something to take home with them during the summer and in their future careers.
Alexandra Gordy, Emily Grimshaw, Emily Vincent, Emily Grimshaw, Henry Junkert, Cady Mello, and Carmen Tellez were awarded the Forensic Technician certificates at the end of the Latent Print Processing course held during the week of May 18-24.
These students had to complete two weeklong intensive courses in Crime Scene Investigation and Latent Print Processing courses to qualify for the certification. Once they pass the courses, then they receive a certificate and four credit hours for the courses.
During the Latent Print Processing course, the students learned various techniques in collecting and processing fingerprints from various surfaces. Some of the topics learned during the course included processing using chemicals, dyes and non-powder processes, powder processing, and processing blood prints.
Emily Vincent, left, and Emily Grimshaw looking for latent fingerprints after lifting them from tape. Photo by Rob Williams.
The students also learned how to properly document and photograph prints once they are collected.
Tellez enjoyed the fact that both courses were interactive and would definitely help her on her future as she goes to law school.
“I really liked that there was a lot of hands-on activities,” she said. “I learn best when there are a lot of hands on activities than just lectures.”
Tellez said that her favorite activity during the course was processing the prints with fluorescent dyes and powders.
Emily Vincent working an activity during the Latent Print Processing class. Photo by Rob Williams.
“I loved working with all the different colors,” she said.
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 and the vocational training provided by the TEEX Texas Forensic Science Academy is an example of a multi-agency 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.