From left, TN Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn, HCSO Detective Shane Forgey and Dr. William Bass
Sheriff Jim Hammond announced Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Shane Forgey ahs graduated from the UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center – Institute for Public Services’ National Forensic Academy in Oak Ridge.
The National Forensic Academy is an intensive 10-week training program co-funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, designed to meet the demanding needs of law enforcement agencies in evidence identification, collection, and preservation. The NFA is offered in-residence, utilizing a curriculum developed by leading forensic practitioners from across the United States.
“I am very proud of Detective Forgey for completing this professional career milestone,” said Sheriff Hammond. “The knowledge and practical experience he has gained by graduating this respected academy will greatly benefit the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation’s Division and the citizens of Hamilton County.”
Throughout the NFA training, participants were challenged in the various disciplines of forensic science through extensive classroom instruction, laboratory activities, and field practicums. Academy participants also completed written and in-class competency exams to demonstrate mastery of the subject areas as well. The goal of the National Forensic Academy is to prepare the crime scene investigator to recognize key elements and to improve the process of evidence recovery and submission.
The training Detective Forgey received in the Academy is Tennessee POST Certified and includes 400 hours of coursework. Graduates receive a formal diploma of completion and a Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 40-hour class completion certificate. The NFA is recognized by the IAI as providing the necessary training required for the four levels of crime scene certification. The curriculum also includes 170 hours of in-class work, 230 hours of field practicum, and a comprehensive, practical final.