IFP Courses: Forensic Laboratory Services & Medical Examiner's Office Operations

Application Deadline: September 1, 2008
    NOTE: admissions period now extended to September 15th.
Acceptance Notification: September 10, 2008
Financial Aid Notification: September 20, 2008

Fort Worth, Texas
October 20 - 31, 2008

Objective:

This course is designed primarily for human rights investigators and forensic specialists working in the field of human rights who are unfamiliar with forensic laboratory and medical examiner systems. The objective of the course is to train human rights investigators to make sound decisions when it comes to the collection, documentation, analysis, and reporting on forensic evidence in international scenarios. You will receive an in-depth overview of the essentials of forensic laboratory services and disciplines, as well as medical examiner operations. Alumni of this course will gain an understanding of commonly available forensic laboratory services and the forensic standards required in the collection, analysis, and reporting of evidence.

Course Description

The course will span two weeks and will include 80 hours of lectures and practical training. Training is provided in conjunction with the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office (TCME) and includes lectures by TCME staff on firearms and toolmarks, forensic anthropology and pathology, DNA/biological evidence, trace evidence, latent prints. The course includes practical exercises in different lab sections as well as attending autopsies to provide human rights field investigators with an understanding of forensic practices.

Necessary Equipment:

• Comfortable clothing and closed shoes.
• Scrubs will be provided by the Medical Examiner's Office for all course participants.

Instructors:

• Stefan Schmitt: Director of the International Forensic Program at Physicians for Human Rights. In 1992 Schmitt helped set the foundation for an independent non-governmental forensic anthropology team exhuming and analyzing skeletal remains from mass graves in Guatemala. Prior to joining Physicians for Human Rights, he worked for nine and a half years at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Crime Lab Crime Scene Section.
• Dr. Nizam Peerwani: Chief Medical Examiner in Tarrant County, Texas. He is a longtime member and collaborator with the International Forensic Program at PHR and a member of our International Forensic Program's Advisory Council.
• Tarrant County Medical Examiner Forensic Laboratory Analysts

Location:

The course will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, with most training taking place at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.

Cost/Accommodations:

The cost of the course is $1500. This fee covers training, accommodations in double rooms, and breakfast. Single accommodations can be arranged for an additional $300 per student.

• $750 non-refundable deposit due by September 15th. Balance due by October 1st.
• Students should plan to arrive by 5pm on Sunday, October 19, and depart on Saturday, November 1.
• Students are required to cover their own transportation to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas.
• Students should budget an additional $25-40/day for lunch and dinner expenses.

Financial Aid:

Scholarships are available to select students to cover the cost of the course. For international students there may be scholarships available to assist with transportation costs.

Application Process:

• Students must submit the Course Application (pdf), a current CV/Resume, and 2 letters of recommendation (pdf) by September 1, 2008.  Notification will be sent by September 10, 2008. 
• Applications for financial aid (pdf) are due by September 1, 2008. Financial aid notifications will be sent by September 20th.

The Crime Scene & Evidence for International Human Rights Investigators course is offered by the International Forensic Program at Physicians for Human Rights, and is made possible through the generous support of the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.