The Forensic Science Training Institute
at Cedar Crest College

June 12, 2009

Amy J. Reese, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Health Professions Advisor, Cedar Crest College

Microbial forensics is a new and important discipline in today’s global landscape of potential bioterrorism, biocrimes, sexual assult, and other related incidences of accidental or intentional contamination of microorganisms or their products. Cases such as the anthrax mail contamination and the tracing of sexually transmitted diseases from perpetrators to victims have brought this field into the public light. This blended discipline is now of increasing interest to physicians, forensic science professionals, crime scene investigators, police, and microbiology researchers alike.

This workshop will consist of lectures and demonstrations to address the following topics: the concept of microbial forensics; an overview of potentially involved microbes, viral agents and toxins; historical impact and uses of biocrimes; potential impact on human, animal and farm crop targets; safety; sample collection and preservation; laboratory methods of identification of different microbes; involved agencies; quality assurance; databases and available resources. The workshop is aimed at forensic science professionals and others who may be less familiar with microbiology or with this blended field.

Registration Fee: $100.00
NEAFS Members Registration Only: January 19, 2009 - March 9, 2009
Full Registration: March 10, 2009 - May 29, 2009

Maximum Number of Registrants: 30