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Special Forces students put their training to the test in the capstone exercise.

Making a Difference

"I found the program to be one of the most clearly presented of any course I've taken during my 40-year career in the forensic sciences.... It pointed out aspects that I had not considered, even after almost 40 years in the forensic investigations field."
(Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers)

~Marty Coyne
Allegheny County (PA) Office of the Medical Examiner

Forensic Science Training

Training is in Our DNA

Providing forensic science training is a core mission of NFSTC. From training members of U.S. Special Forces, to preparing forensic scientists who work in State crime labs, NFSTC educates professionals who are on the front lines of ensuring public safety.

Curriculum Development

NFSTC has a wealth of experience in the development of forensic training programs. NFSTC developed curriculum for degree programs at St. Petersburg College, the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. In addition, NFSTC has developed and delivered numerous training programs through the National Institute of Justice, including multimedia training for the DNA Initiative (available online at http://dna.gov/training/otc/). In 2008 alone, NFSTC received four competitively awarded cooperative agreements from the Office of Justice Programs to develop training programs in the areas of DNA analysis, crime scene investigation and pattern evidence training.

World-Class Instruction

NFSTC’s subject matter experts provide instruction in a comprehensive range ofgeneral services administration advantage contract holder forensic disciplines including toxicology, chemistry, microscopy, arson and explosives, firearms examination, DNA analysis and more.  Complementing the in-house staff is a network of more than 180 subject matter experts who can provide instruction covering the complete continuum of forensic disciplines.

NFSTC employs a dedicated team of instructional designers who work with subject matter experts to develop curriculum that can be delivered via instructor-led training classes or through online distance learning programs.

Blended Learning

Several NFSTC classes are delivered using a blended learning approach, in which students complete preparatory work online before attending classroom- and scenario-based instruction at the NFSTC training facility in Largo.  This approach enables all trainees to acquire the same level of fundamental knowledge about the area of study and reinforces skills learned in the classroom environment. In addition to maximizing class preparation, assessment and results, this method of delivery minimizes time away from the job.

NFSTC presented a poster with additional information about blended learning at the 2010 National Institute of Justice conference.