VCU Forensic Science receives accreditation

Richmond, Va.: The Virginia Commonwealth University Forensic Science Department’s undergraduate program recently received accreditation from the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). VCU is one of only two universities in the nation to have both its undergraduate and graduate Forensic Science programs accredited by AAFS. There are only eight accredited undergraduate programs.

AAFS was established in 1948 to promote education for and research in the forensic sciences; to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of the forensic sciences. In 1999, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) described the educational and training needs of the forensic science community as “immense.”  NIJ recommended guidelines for educational programs in forensic science.  Acknowledging the importance of an accreditation system for academic programs built on the foundation of NIJ’s recommendations, AAFS established a committee called the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) in 2004.

To achieve FEPAC accreditation a program must meet a wide variety of standards to prove that it provides students with a foundation in the scientific and laboratory problem-solving skills necessary for success in a modern forensic science laboratory.  Accreditation ensures that the program combines rigorous scientific and laboratory training with exposure to the breadth of forensic science disciplines, including forensic science practice, law enforcement and ethics.