MIdterm Is Already Upon Us
It seems as if I just composed my last message a few days ago, but it has been more than one month since my last post…this semester is truly moving along very quickly. The rapid passing of time must be resultant to the vast number of projects that are currently underway here in the Criminology Department - - I will touch upon just a few. The past weeks have witnessed a reorganization of the 2nd Annual Criminal Justice Symposium - Proof and Consequences…as at the last minute; the individuals from the PA State Police Bureau of Forensic Services Unit were unexpectedly unable to participate as planned. Their inability to participate, while seeming to be a devastating blow to the event, turned out to be quite the blessing in disguise. In reconstructing the symposium, I was able to bring together an even more distinguished and diverse assembly of presenters than those who were in the original plan. Our featured lecturer, Mr. Kirk Bloodsworth has remained the central figure whose personal story defines the goal of this symposium. However, revised lecturers include Dr. Reena Roy of Penn State’s Forensic Science Program. Dr. Roy will instruct attendees on the proper techniques for crime scene evidence collection and correspondingly mechanisms to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, Charity Holland of Mitotyping Technologies will provide guests the benefit of her extensive knowledge concerning DNA evidence and discuss the common pitfalls that investigators and crime scene technicians commonly encounter. Finally, Trooper Richard Hunter of the Washington PA State Police Forensic Services Unit will enlighten participants to the collection and analysis of latent fingerprints…it should be an event to remember, where a genuine positive impact has been made in the professional capacity of those in attendance. On another note, the members of the Criminology Club have been creatively enhancing their presence on the campus. In doing so, these students have enacted a movie/documentary night and organized a midnight breakfast during midterm examinations. They have many other projects in the developmental stages and it is a pleasure to watch this group of students turn their ideas into reality. In alternate areas, the students in my criminalistics and crime scene reconstruction class were busy last week searching a dorm room for biological evidence with an Alternate Light Source. It was remarkable to see the expressions on their faces when evidence that was not apparent to their naked eye suddenly became visible through utilization of the ALS. As a final note, I encourage students to begin developing ideas for the Undergraduate Research Symposium that is to be held in April 2009…it is never to early to begin planning. Last year, students participating in the symposium produced some outstanding research projects and I hope to see many more in the spring!!!
