Forensic Science Institute

Environmental Factors Affecting Latent Print Detail on Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces

The goal of this study was to determine if environmental factors impact the quality of detail in latent prints on non-porous and porous surfaces. Specifically, this study focused on how humidity impacts latent print processing, development, and analysis on tile and paper. Humidity was tested at 30%, 50%, 90% and temperature was maintained between 70 -74 degrees Fahrenheit. Prints were lifted at 1 week time intervals over the course of 3 months. An edited minutiae count generated from AFIS was used to determine what category each print fell under: low quality (0-6 minutiae), moderate quality (7-12 minutiae), or high quality (13 and above minutiae). Multiple statistical tests were performed to determine statistical significance between different variables. Results indicated that prints recovered on white tile with black powder and prints recovered on paper with ninhydrin decrease in quality with increased levels of humidity and also decrease over time at set humidities.

Madison Frese – Summer 2023

Posted on November 20, 2023 by rwilliams73

Advisor FAQ # 8

All FSI students participate in a capstone before graduating. Some of the capstone options prefer students who took certain classes, and most will require some sort of background investigation. Be mindful of your choices, inside and outside of the classroom! Read more on https://www.uco.edu/fsi/academics/capstone.

Posted on August 22, 2023 by rwilliams73

Advisor FAQ # 7

The FSI advisors will help you with BOTH of your majors! Meet with them or email them if you have any questions or concerns, even if it’s for your non-forensic major. https://www.uco.edu/FSIAdvisement

FSIAdvisement@uco.edu

Posted on August 22, 2023 by rwilliams73

YWCA Practicum Reflection

Throughout my internship practicum at the YWCA, I learned a lot about an organization I had no clue about before. I learned the history, the mission and how its executed, and how I can be a part of it. The YWCA is an organization that provides services and resources to all people, regardless of economic status, race, or gender. I was exposed to SANE exams, SA advocacy, how law enforcement handles sexual assault/domestic violence cases, and how to provide assistance to clients after their traumatic event. This was a very fulfilling and eye-opening experience.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the YWCA. I felt like I got to directly jump in and make a difference in my community. I was able to experience and observe first-hand what I want to do with my career in the future, and I was also exposed to some disheartening flaws that our criminal justice system has. I hope to eventually be in a position that allows me to bring awareness to these issues, and if I’m lucky, actually make a change within our system. Although my internship has come to an end, I certainly do not see myself walking away from this organization. I plan to remain a volunteer sexual assault advocate indefinitely, and when my career allows, become a SANE nurse with this same organization.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Practicum Reflection

I will be recommending this practicum site to anyone who mentions being interested in law. It is a truly great feeling to know I am helping the OIDS team with a case in a meaningful way. I was able to put my hands on materials and go through documents just as a real investigator would. I wasn’t sitting in some corner of a room watching people work, I was actually doing the work. After my presentation with the team I was told many times how helpful my work was. It leaves a college student with no experience in the criminal field feeling like they actually helped make a difference. I know this of course is for school credit and to etch closer to graduation, but I love that the FSI gives us this chance. The chance to see the real world. The world that isn’t hypothetical scenarios and hypothetical crimes. It is a chance to see what life is like beyond UCO.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Bixby PD Practicum Reflection

This experience has been nothing short of extraordinary and I am beyond thankful to Chief Blish and the Bixby Police Department for welcoming me here and giving me such an amazing experience. It is one that I know will help me in my career starting now, on into the future. This practicum answered many of the questions I had and pushed back some of the fears I had regarding my career and what working in law enforcement looks like. It gave me the chance to experience the world of law enforcement from a completely different perspective. I am also grateful to UCO for pushing students to work with agencies, like these, because, otherwise, I would have never experienced things like I have during this practicum.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Reflection

I was able to gain firsthand exposure to real-world investigations and the application of digital forensic techniques. While limited to due to policies, I was still able to gain manual experience for logging and receiving digital forensic cases. I would highly recommend any future digital forensics student at the University of Central Oklahoma to have the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as one of their top choices when applying for a practicum site. My experience from this opportunity has strengthened and created knowledge that will assist me in my future career.

Posted on August 9, 2023 by rwilliams73

Advisor FAQ #6

To get the fastest reply from FSI advising, students should:

– Include their UCO ID number*
– Send it from their UCO email*
– Attach pictures of errors or things they are having trouble with so advising can see
what they’re seeing
– If it’s time sensitive, give the timeline so they know you need a fast reply and
when
– Email any questions to FSIAdvisement@uco.edu

Posted on February 15, 2023 by rwilliams73

Advisor FAQ #5

Did you know?:

· There is a new FSI advising email! You can email the FSI Advising Team for potentially quicker response times: FSIAdvisement@uco.edu. Don’t forget to include your UCO ID number and use your UCO email!

· The summer financial aid form is out! Don’t forget to fill it out if you’re taking May intercession and/or summer classes.

· Majoring in Forensic? Make sure to attend the FSI Student Success Presentation ASAP to learn common graduation mistakes & how to avoid them. Uco.edu/FSIAdvisement

Posted on February 15, 2023 by rwilliams73

Advisor FAQ #4

We can all use a little financial advice.

https://www.uco.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/money-coaches

Posted on December 13, 2022 by rwilliams73

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