West Virginia Universitys first-of-its-kind Forensic Identification Program is the fastest growing degree program on campus, with enrollment doubling from 200 students last January to more than 400 this fall. To accommodate the increase in majors, University officials developed a second crime scene house where students can work with simulated crime scenes. The house was officially dedicated today (Oct. 21).


“Demand for sophisticated specialists in fingerprint identification and biometrics has skyrocketed since the terrorist attacks,”said Michael Yura, director of the program which offers majors in both areas.”Students are fast realizing these are the hot industries and that WVU is uniquely qualified to give them the education and training needed to land jobs in these fields. Developing another crime scene house will enable more students to receive valuable, hands-on experience.”


WVU s Forensic Identification Program was established in December 1997 when the University and the FBI signed an agreement that led the way for WVU to become the first university in the world to offer a degree in forensic and investigative science and biometric systems. Biometrics uses unique physical”signatures”like a fingerprint or retinal scan as identifiers; forensic science uses scientific indicators such as blood, DNA and hair strands. Since the programs inception, WVU has led the way in developing the academic competencies necessary for various disciplines within these fields.


“Its been a natural connection for the University and the FBI center in nearby Clarksburg,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty.”Since the FBI went from fingerprint cards to a computer system, opportunities emerged for us in that specialty as well as in face recognition and other areas.”


Enrollment surge


The events of Sept. 11, 2001, the popularity of network television shows like CSI : Crime Scene Investigation and national publicity about WVU s cutting-edge program are all behind the increased interest, Yura believes.


“We had 51 students alone transfer into the program this past summer after hearing what WVU has to offer. Biometrics has really been in the news since 9-11, and there are so many television shows now focusing on the importance of forensics in solving crimes. Top-notch students are clamoring to learn more about these growing opportunities,”he said.


Because it is the first academic degree program to be offered in forensic identification, several national publications have written about it, among them Newsweek, USA Weekend, Rolling Stone and The Washington Times. WVU s collaboration with the FBI has also sparked media interest.


“Any time were spotlighted like that, we get many calls from people all over the country interested in learning more about our program,”Yura said.”The national exposure certainly has helped our program grow.”


It used to be the FieldServiceCenter for Technology Education on the Evansdale Campus. near Towers Residence Halls. Now the partially-bricked home with white siding at 2925 University Ave. will be covered with blood, fingerprints and hair strands.


Responding to the large increase in forensic majors, WVU officials have turned the building into another crime scene house where students, their professors and professionals interact to solve mock crimes �€everything from murder to kidnapping.


Two years ago, WVU s first crime scene house at 383 Oakland (adjacent to the new crime scene house) was developed to provide forensic students and law enforcement personnel with a place to practice latent fingerprint techniques and crime scene investigations. 


Both homes are designed to have the appearance of an actual family dwelling, complete with furniture, toiletries and a well-stocked refrigerator. They are used as”working laboratories”where students use the skills theyve acquired to find evidence and solve crimes.


“Crime Scene House II will be more complex and specialized,”Yura noted.”Well have several rooms we will use to stage crimes, a forensic photography lab in the basement, two offices, two external biometrics devices and an excavation area outside, just for starters.”


Crime Scene House II also will be air conditioned which will allow for the control of temperature and humidity, factors that can play an important role at crime scenes.


A grant from the Snee Foundation will allow the Forensic Identification Program to install video cameras in each of the rooms so instructors can monitor studentsreactions and techniques. The equipment will also enable distance learning where students at other colleges and universities across the country will be able to see how staged crime scenes inside the house are handled.


The crime scene houses also are available to local, state and federal police agencies for training operations, Yura said.


The Forensic Identification Program also has added a vehicle to its curriculum, thanks to a donation from Scott Ford Mercury in Kingwood. Crimes like kidnappings and car-jackings will be staged using the 1993 Ford Tempo GL. Students will be required to gather fingerprints and trace evidence from the car.


“A good educational foundation combined with practical, hands-on experience are what make WVU s Forensic Identification Program so attractive,”Yura added.”We equip our graduates with the skills necessary to land good jobs.”


And Yura doesnt foresee any slow down.


“Our society will, unfortunately, always have crime �€and coupled now with greater focus on security measures at the national level, I think our program will remain popular for quite some time.”


In addition to the hands-on training at the crime houses, Yura said students get a healthy dose of interdisciplinary coursework �€everything from forensic photography and physics to computer imaging, technical writing and witness testimony.