Forensic and Investigative Science in Amman

Director of the WVU Forensic Science Academy for Professionals (FSAP), Kelly Ayers, and FIS PhD Ruby Fellow, Eric Law, recently delivered a well-received crime scene management training workshop to some 35 prosecutors congregating in Amman from all areas of Jordan. The USAID funded Rule of Law Project approached the FSAP because of their expertise in the area of crime scene response and evidence collection to develop training for prosecutors required to respond to crime scenes as dictated by Jordanian law. The workshop provided the participants with an opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and follow-up discussion related to the collection and preservation of evidence and its submission to the forensic laboratory for analysis.                           

Ms. Ayers and Mr. Law met with the Director of Jordan’s state-of-the-art ISO/IEC 17025 accredited forensic laboratory as well as the administration of the Criminal Investigation Division to learn about policy, procedure, and scientific capabilities in Jordan. Thereafter, they were able to develop a more personalized training program to meet the needs of the attendees. Participants expressed their gratitude and stated that the course added immense value to their work. “Working with an Arabic speaking audience proved to be a challenging, yet rewarding experience,” Ms. Ayers stated. “I look forward to bringing a cohort of Jordanians to West Virginia University to learn in the best forensic training facilities available.”

Eric Law, when asked about this opportunity, stated, “As a first year PhD student, I was able to teach forensic science to prosecuting attorneys and judges while also learning about the legal system in Jordan through class discussions. This proved to be an educational experience not only for course participants, but for me as well. This is just another way that WVU is a leader in forensic science education—providing students with the opportunity to teach abroad.”

The professional experience of the faculty in Forensic and Investigative Science Department is one of many elements that sets WVU apart from other programs. Faculty expertise is passed on to students at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as to practitioners in the field. Working with the Jordanian prosecutors is just one of the many outreach efforts being provided by the FSAP.  

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