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In Nov of 2009 the 76th session of the Virginia Forensic Science Academy will graduate.
The nine (9) week adacemy is held by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Richmond Va. The Academy has as its objective the training of qualified crime scene search officers. Law enforcement personnel
learn to properly recognize, collect, and preserve items of physical evidence found at crime scenes for laboratory examination.
The students become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the modern forensic laboratory in the examination of
the broad spectrum of materials which can be collected as evidence in criminal cases. The course provides students with the necessary background informationand practical application techniques which,
when coupled with the student's previous experience, permit maximum utilization of forensic science in the apprehension and
prosecution of criminals in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Forensic Science staff and visiting instructors, who have contributed
many hours to this class, were a vital part in the success of the session. In addition, the Virginia Forensic Science Academy Alumni Association, in conjunction
with the Department of Forensic Science's Training Section, provides the graduate with many opportunities for continuing education.
The Alumni Association provides unique organizational body which fosters the advancement of forensic science and professional
crime scene investigation.
Goal: The purposes of the Association are: To enhance the science and art
of crime scene processing and evidence handling, to encourage the exchange of ideas and information concerning crime scene
processing techniques among Academy graduates and other crime scene search officers, to strive for the development of improved
technical practices, to promote the goals of the Criminal Justice System, and the ideals embraced by the Virginia Forensic
Science Academy's crime scene search course, and to encourage high professional standards of conduct by all crime scene processors.
Activities: The activities of the Association include, but are not limited to the following:
- The Association provides support for the Forensic
Laboratory in the Forensic Science Academy in many ways — assisting in the coordination of training events — teaching
in Academy sponsored training programs — teaching in other training programs concerning forensic science thus spreading
knowledge and understanding concerning the capabilities of the Forensic Laboratory.
- Members of the Alumni Association have worked with forensic laboratory training personnel in the development
of evidence handling techniques, and other special projects. For example — an Evidence Handling Manual was developed
as a joint effect.
- The Association developed the Donald C. Benson
Memorial Scholarship Fund; this is a separate organization, which provides funds to deserving individuals pursuing a higher
education and are Academy Alumni or dependents of an Academy graduate.
- Funds provided by the Association have been used to improve the Forensic Academy library and recent sessions of the
Academy have provided legacy funds for the support of the Academy.
- A newsletter is published annually to provide a flow of information concerning laboratory and membership activities.
- The Association has supported several legislative issues and other forensic laboratory
initiatives such as; supported the DNA Data Bank and supported the regional concept for the Forensic Training Program.
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