North Georgia forensic symposium to feature 'The Bone Lady'
Investigators to learn about mass fatalities and human identification
Contact: Kate Maine, University Relations
706-864-1950, kmaine@ngcsu.edu
Dahlonega, Ga. (March 3, 2009) - North Georgia College & State University's 2009 forensic symposium for law enforcement, emergency management and medical professionals will feature Mary Manheim, author of The Bone Lady: My Life as a Forensic Anthropologist and Trail of Bones.
This year's symposium, March 16-17, will focus on "The Investigation of Mass Fatalities and Human Identification." Designed for professionals involved in emergency response and crime scene investigation, the event will bring experts in fields of human facial reconstruction, mass fatality and scene management and bio terrorism response to the Dahlonega campus.
Joseph Morgan, assistant professor of criminal justice and forensics and a board-certified medicolegal death investigator with 20 years of experience in Atlanta and New Orleans, organized and will direct the program at the symposium, which is in its second year.
"With heightened public interest in forensic science it is easy to define forensics according to standards set by Hollywood," Morgan said. "Events like this symposium help students and professionals learn more about the realities of forensic practice and graduate education opportunities."
Participants will learn about the available capabilities of human identification, hone investigative skills, and gain insight into emerging issues and trends in forensic science.
"North Georgia is the only state institution offering law enforcement professionals this quality of programming and continuing education credits," Morgan said.
Participants will also hear from Dr. Richard Weems, professor of dentistry at the University of Alabama-Birmingham's School of Dentistry and a leading expert in the field of human identification who facilitated many identifications following the 9/11 attacks in New York and the Oklahoma City bombing.
Additional presenters include the FBI Hazardous Materials Response Unit; Dr. Grady Bray, a leading expert on critical stress debriefing and post-traumatic stress disorder in emergency workers; Dr. Mark Wilson of Western Carolina University, who specializes in human DNA identification; Cotton Howell, commander of the Region IV Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, who served as a site fatality manager following Hurricane Katrina, the 9/11 attacks in New York, and the Oklahoma City bombing.
North Georgia's forensic symposium is accredited by Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training, American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, and the Georgia Chiefs of Police Association. Additionally, educators and others involved in support professions may be eligible for continuing education credits.
The registration fee is $295 per person. Discounts are available for Georgia POST-certified law enforcement officers, fire fighters and students. Full details for the forensic symposium are available by phone at 706-864-1918 or online at apache.northgeorgia.edu/CE.
