DNA analysis of biological information is an increasingly critical aid to law enforcement. President Bush authorized one billion dollars over the next five years to support DNA technology. Information on the President's DNA Initiative this can be found at DNA.gov.

In 2004 the U.S. Department of Justice identified DNA analysis technicians as the single most understaffed personnel sector in the fifty largest crime labs in the United States. NERFI Director W. Mark Dale saw the need for an effective means of creating new scientists and bringing practicing scientists up to date with new technology and procedures. The DNA Academy addresses the high demand for qualified forensic scientists in a unique and efficient manner.

Working in collaboration with the University at Albany's Office for Research, the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, and with the support of Senator Charles Schumer, NERFI and its DNA Academy provide the forensic community with:

• a customized curriculum
• state-of-the-art laboratory equipment
• international, multilingual teachers unrivalled in excellence and on-the-job know-how
• an unprecedented turn-around time for casework competency

College and Graduate Students in the Sciences

The explosive growth of DNA technology has created critical casework backlogs in all public and private forensic laboratories, across the nation. The DNA Academy pledges to create a DNA scientist in twelve weeks.

If you are just getting into the field of forensics and want to find out more about what the DNA Academy the DNA Academy provides an excellent education for undergrad and grad science students with an interest in this exciting and growing field.

Practicing Forensic Scientists

Forensic science has seen dramatic changes in recent years, with the advancement of technologies, instrumentation, and databases in DNA, Chemistry, Ballistics, and Fingerprints. Practicing scientists and managers need new skills and new levels of accreditation, including those mandated by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board and ISO17025. The DNA Academy fulfills your mandatory eight hours of annual Professional Development.

If you are already working in the field and are interested in some of our opportunities for Professional Development, the DNA Academy provides training that will meet your diverse needs.

Laboratory Administrators/Managers

The DNA Academy helps you create the case-ready, bench-ready scientists you need, in our dedicated, off-site facilities. Our fast-track courses in serology, casework, and databank technology offers lab managers the means to meet their DNA staffing needs.