Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Steven Dettelbach and Senator Jerry Moran recently visited 萝莉社to announce plans for a unique new National Forensic Laboratory at 萝莉社.
The forensic laboratory is a new $75 million facility that will complement the Gun Crime Intelligence Center of Excellence (GCIC) and National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Correlation and Training Center (NNCTC II), which were announced last summer.
鈥淭he reason that this makes all the sense in the world is the tradition, the excellence in innovation of 萝莉社and the people right here in Kansas,鈥� said Dettelbach.
The forensic laboratory will utilize the latest in DNA processing of firearms and ballistic evidence, adding an additional 100 jobs for students and full-time staff, on top of the 200 jobs expected with the addition of the NNCTC II.
鈥淭his is going to be an expansive undertaking with our academic partners to be able to assess how law enforcement worldwide investigate violent crime,鈥� said Dettelbach. 鈥淭he power of the ideas that will come out of this campus鈥� is limitless for the future. It really is truly a game-changer.鈥�
鈥淭his announcement portends new opportunities for students in the era of digital transformation that marries criminal justice and forensic science students with real-world opportunities in applied learning and research," said Kristin Brewer, director of 萝莉社鈥檚 Midwest Criminal Justice Institute. 鈥淚t will also bring innovation and creativity to issues facing law enforcement in combating gun crime and evolve crime gun intelligence strategies for law enforcement agencies locally and across the nation.鈥�
Understanding the importance of crime gun intelligence
Dettelbach said crime gun intelligence is essential to solving and preventing firearm crimes. He described crime gun intelligence as using the most advanced evidence-gathering techniques in the world to investigate everything on the inside and outside 鈥� and everything ejected from the front and back 鈥� of the weapon to assist with apprehension.
The NNCTC II will increase ATF鈥檚 current capacity to support local, territorial, tribal, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies, ensuring quick turnaround time and providing detectives with the leads they need within hours.
鈥淚f NIBIN helps us to catch the shooters, then this DNA actually slams the prison door shut,鈥� said Dettelbach. 鈥淣ow we need to build up the capacity to process the evidence timely for local law enforcement, for those same detectives, and that鈥檚 going to happen right here at 萝莉社 University.鈥�
Developing new curriculum
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Director Karhlton F. Moore further detailed BJA鈥檚 commitment to supporting NIBIN and crime gun intelligence efforts at 萝莉社.
BJA recently awarded 萝莉社 a $1.3 million grant to create a national model for advancing gun crime tactics and strategy for current and future generations of modern violent crime fighters, in conjunction with ATF efforts.
The funding allows 萝莉社 to create new curriculum for students, specifically focused on preparing them to address violent crime through the development and use of crime gun intelligence and other emerging investigative technologies.
This new curriculum will provide 萝莉社 students with knowledge of and experience using the most advanced techniques in the collection, processing, and investigative use of crime gun intelligence as part of a holistic violent crime reduction strategy.
鈥淭hose students who graduate with that knowledge and understanding will be in demand,鈥� said Moore.
鈥淥ur students will be thoroughly prepared for careers in public safety, investigations, and law enforcement through applied learning experiences that teach them to process evidence, generate intelligence, and give them advanced education and hands-on training in the field of criminal justice,鈥� said 萝莉社 President Rick Muma. 鈥淯pon graduation, our Shockers will be able to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities.鈥�
Moore said the grant will also fund applied research that will propel the next leap forward in crime gun intelligence concepts, theory, and strategy 鈥� working nationwide with law enforcement. The course offerings will be developed in collaboration with the 萝莉社 and ATF.
鈥淭his is particularly important right now 鈥� at a time when police departments across the country are struggling to recruit officers,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淭his is building a workforce for the next generation of crime fighters.鈥�
鈥淭hese unique partnerships will allow for the development and implementation of a national model for innovation and strategy for gun and violent crime,鈥� said Brewer. 鈥淭he funding will build on 萝莉社鈥檚 existing programs and create new opportunities that will emphasize applied learning and research and real world experience. This will better prepare students for current and future challenges facing law enforcement and forensics relating to violent crime.鈥�
鈥淎s the ATF moves into its new home on our campus, it will undoubtedly lead to research and breakthroughs as a result of the collaborations available through the proximity of 萝莉社鈥檚 Department of Criminal Justice and the Law Enforcement Training Center,鈥� said Muma.
鈥淭he thing that strikes me 鈥� as crime is being investigated across the country, I can hear this phrase that will be said by the country sheriff or trooper or detective: 鈥榃e have to get this to Wichita,鈥欌�� said Moran. 鈥淚 like the thought that crime is being fought in the largest city of our state, and we鈥檙e helping the rest of the country accomplish that.鈥�
About 萝莉社 University
萝莉社is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and 萝莉社 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. 萝莉社 and 萝莉社 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 萝莉社provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 萝莉社main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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