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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - September 2003 Marshall
University Forensic Science Program Educates Students in Microbial
Forensics |
|
The Marshall University Forensic Science Program in Huntington, WV, is expanding its curricula by educating students in microbial forensics. These opportunities available to students in the Master's Degree program, under the direction of Dr. Terry Fenger, are in response to the implementation of the Scientific Working Group on Microbial Genetics and Forensics (SWGMGF) by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Microbial forensics is a novel discipline under development by the FBI. The SWGMGF is responsible for defining goals that will enable the field to become established. The working group's agenda includes establishing threat criteria for biological agents and developing DNA databases containing genetic information on potential agents. It is intended that experts in government, academia, and industry will play a role in responding to national security threats. Currently, there are two microbial forensic courses in place for graduate students in the Marshall program, which offers a Master of Science in Forensic Science. A general Bioterrorism course is comprised of sessions covering topics including an overview of terrorism, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and diagnostic microbiology. A second Bioterrorism course focuses on handling a "biocrime" scene, in which students participate in mock crime scenes involving weapons of mass destruction. Lecture topics in the second course range from the use of personal protective equipment to the analysis of suspected manufacturing facilities. In addition, guest lecturers are invited to speak several times during both courses. The Marshall program welcomed a new faculty member in January to aid in developing a bioterrorism tract for students. Dr. Pamela Staton brings to the Forensics Department an expertise in diagnostic microbiology, molecular immunology, and microbial genetics. In March, Dr. Staton and a team of students organized the program's first mock biocrime scene. The scene simulated a Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) contamination event using Bacillus thuringiensis as a surrogate agent. Bioterrorism students who participated in the exercise learned the importance of education and training programs for law enforcement personnel responding to biocrime scenes. As an experiment, students used various decontamination methods for rendering the scene free of the surrogate agent. Results of the experiment demonstrated that the threat agent was not easily controlled. During the event, students wore appropriate personal protective equipment, including Tyvek suits. In addition to coursework and field exercises, the Department is involved in additional research applicable to microbial forensics, especially with regards to environmental and economic terrorism. The Potomac River Project, headed by Dr. Fenger and Dr. Staton and funded by the US and West Virginia Departments of Agriculture, focuses on the development of a DNA database for source tracking of bacteria. Additional research includes the development of rapid, reliable molecular test methods that target microorganisms that may potentially be used as bioterrorism agents. |
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© 2003 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |