July 28, 2009
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FORENSIC DNA LAB RECEIVES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DESIGNATION
July 28, 2009, Fargo, N.D. - A cutting-edge DNA lab at North Dakota State University has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to perform crime-fighting work. The Justice Department has placed the NDSU Forensic DNA Facility on its list of approved DNA vendor laboratories eligible for work through the Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program. The notification was announced by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.
NDSU's Forensic DNA Facility utilizes high-tech equipment and methods for use in criminal and civil court cases. The lab joins just 24 others in the nation eligible for similar work through the DNA Backlog Reduction Program, which received $151 million in federal funding this fiscal year.
"Approval by the National Institute of Justice as a DNA laboratory vendor to receive casework from law enforcement agencies, under the Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program, is a major accomplishment for our facility," said Dr. Berch Henry, director of the NDSU Forensic DNA Facility. "This achievement acknowledges that our program has successfully met the highest standards of our profession."
The NDSU Forensic DNA Facility uses state-of-the-art methods to perform evidence analysis on both criminal and civil cases. The Facility is engaged in basic and applied forensic research. The NDSU Lab provides the criminal justice system with forensic DNA analysis to help solve cases, assist government laboratories, and provide reanalysis of casework evidence.
The NDSU Forensic DNA Facility is accredited by Forensic Quality Services - International Division of the National Forensic Science and Technology Center. This accrediting agency inspects U.S. laboratories for adherence to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISC) and the DNA Advisory Board (established by the Director of the FBI). The NDSU Forensic DNA Facility complies with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Forensic Requirements for Accreditation (FRA 1).
The NDSU Forensic DNA Facility team includes board-certified members (American Board of Criminalistics) who possess more than 50 years combined experience in forensic serology and DNA analysis - from identification of biological fluids to DNA profiling. Its scientists are members of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, The Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administration, and The Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists.
Click here to view the news release issued by Senator Byron Dorgan
March 5, 2009
On November 22, 2005 the Science, State, Justice, Commerce and related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006 became law. Under the terms of this statute, Congress authorized "the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on forensic science, as described in the Senate report." In the fall of 2006 the Forensic Science Committee was established by the NAS to undertake this task. Following extensive review the pre-publication report of the committee was released in February, 2008 under the title "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward" which set forth recommendations that will result in profound changes in the field of forensic science in the United States.
The North Dakota State University Forensic DNA Facility (NDSU FDF) has already accomplished a number of the NAS recommendations including international ISO accreditation, individual certification of two senior personnel, university partnership, an active research program and establishment of a forensic science teaching program. Therefore, the NDSU FDF is well positioned to contribute to the new efforts that will be required to satisfy the recommendations set forth in the NAS report.
Click here for a two page synopssis of the report
Click here to view the full report
January 5, 2009
The Forensic DNA Facility is featured in the fall 2008 issue of NDSU Magazine.
Click here for the full article starting on pg. 19 (Adobe pdf format).
September 24, 2008
The Forensic DNA Facility at North Dakota State University has been ISO 17025 accredited by Forensic Quality Service International.
March, 2007
Megan Palmer, B.S. hired as a Forensic DNA Analyst.
February, 2007
Jack Foster, B.S. hired as a Forensic DNA Analyst.
June, 2006
Thomas Wahl, B.S. hired as Senior Forensic DNA Analyst.
June, 2006
Berch Henry, Ph.D. hired as Program Director.
Spring 2005
Rhonda Roby is brought in as a consultant to assist in the creation of the Forensic DNA Facility.
Space is dedicated in the Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center for the Forensic DNA Facility.
September, 2004
Through the efforts of U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, NDSU receives a grant for the creation of the Forensic DNA Facility.
