Forensic Intelligence for the Warfighter
The National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) at Florida International University trains and equips soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen & guards to internationally recognized standards, enabling USSOCOM, NATO, FBI, and FVEYs interagency intelligence community partners to strip away the anonymity of enemy combatants and terrorists. We’ve applied our expertise in forensic science investigations amid hazardous environments to develop field-ready enablers who recognize, document, collect, protect, and analyze evidence. By uniting cutting-edge research and practical evaluations of techniques and equipment, NFSTC subject matter experts elevate U.S. military operational success.
Florida is Protecting U.S. Military Interests
$38.6M
in Contracts
33
Full-Time Instructors
2,196
Trainees
Protecting National Security
NFSTC at Florida International University has supported the United States Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section (INL) mission to keep Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. Our grant-funded support focuses on laboratory integrity, capacity, and efficiency with subject matter experts providing quality assurance reviews, analytical systems, and professional training to bolster law enforcement capabilities, enhance judicial processes, and accelerate technical procedures. Partner agencies’ results show reduced case backlogs, cost savings, international accreditations, and a greater ability to identify and prosecute criminals.
Florida is Combating International Crime
- $11.75Min Grants
- 551Law Enforcement & Laboratory Analyst Trainees
- 10Countries
- 13Forensic Science Disciplines
- 7Advanced Degrees
- 17Laboratory Accreditations
Advancing Justice For All
Building on decades of work, NFSTC has continued to deliver excellence in services, training, and community support from the crime scene to the courtroom. Learn more about our history->
Detect to Protect: Field Drug Testing for Safer Communities
Under the direction of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), we worked to develop an updated approach to drug field testing, "Free Drug Safety Training for First Responders." The primary outcome of the grant was a free online course for first responders that covers safety protocols and introductions to field portable technology. Additional training on specific instruments and workflow was included at an additional cost to the agency. Following the close of the funding grant, this program has been relaunched as "Detect To Protect."
Crime Scene Investigation Guide / Un Guía para la Investigación de la Escena de un Crimen
Developed by crime scene experts, this comprehensive, step-by-step guide leads law enforcement through the crucial, first phase of the justice process. The CSI Guide was supported under cooperative agreements 2009-D1-BX-K028 and 2010-DD-BX-K009 funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and 2007-MU-BX-K008 funded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
(NamUs) provides investigators and loved ones with a powerful online system which offers hands-on access to a national database of records related to missing and unidentified persons. Prior to the NamUs launch in 2009, families with missing loved ones had few places to turn in their quest for answers. From 2005 through 2011, NFSTC worked with the National Institute of Justice to develop, deliver and operate the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.