Pamela Marshall, the current director of the 4+1 Master’s program at Duquesne University, shares her extensive experience and perspectives at ISHI, a conference she has attended over 10 times. Pam delves into the challenges faced by forensic students, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of building their confidence and resilience. She highlights the necessity of preparing these students for real-world professional interactions, such as with law enforcement and juries.
The conversation also explores the critical need to bridge the gap between academic institutions and forensic labs, suggesting the use of student research at conferences as a potential recruitment tool.
The importance of proper onboarding and professional development in forensic labs is discussed, with a focus on personality fit and team dynamics and the significance of integrating new hires into teams and nurturing future leaders is emphasized.
Lastly, Pam touches upon the advancements in DNA technology, especially those post-9/11, and anticipates the future focus of forensic science to be on the development and legal performance of new technologies, such as forensic investigative genetic genealogy. This interview provides a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions in forensic science education and practice.
