Facilities
The NFA incorporates into its curriculum the use of The University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology's Anthropological Research Facility. This facility was established more than 30 years ago by the renowned anthropologist, Dr. William Bass, and is a valuable tool for the study of human remains in the various stages of decomposition. It is the only laboratory of its kind in the world.
While the classroom portion of the Academy is located at the Knoxville Police Department's Training Academy, the National Forensic Academy provides ample opportunity for practical application of new techniques at crime scenes and forensic training facilities. Investigative crime scenarios include arson, vehicle explosions, corpse exhumation, and homicide investigation.
The unique combination of classroom training and on-scene investigation is crucial to law enforcement because it may be the first time investigators have responded to a crime scene requiring multidisciplinary skills.
The National Forensic Academy is moving in 2008
The future is now for the National Forensic Academy. Recently, the NFA received approval to build out a new facility in Oak Ridge, TN that will become home to the 10 week crime scene investigation academy. The new facility will be a part of the complex that already houses the Law Enforcement Innovation Center, the parent organization of the NFA.
The NFA's move from it's current location, which totals just over 1,400 square feet, to the new 7,000 square foot facility is possible thanks to the tremendous support of the University of Tennessee and the recent commitment of a private donor. The new space will house a state of the art laboratory, a "smart" classroom, and numerous other unique spaces that have been designed specifically for the world-famous training that takes place at the NFA. The new facility will provide for increased capacity and more effective instruction.
In addition to the good news related to the NFA facility, the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance has also provided additional funding to continue the growth of NFA programming to reach more participants in coming years. Currently, construction schedules are being developed so that the NFA can move into the new facility by early 2008.
Click here for the floorplan of the new NFA Facility.