UCO Forensic Science Students and Faculty Present Research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Conference
March 5, 2025
Students and faculty from the W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute (FSI) at the University of Central Oklahoma recently participated in the 77th annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) in Baltimore, Maryland.
The AAFS is a multidisciplinary professional organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. Since 1948, it has served a distinguished and diverse membership of more than 6,000 members from all 50 states and 71 other countries. The annual conference is one of the largest gatherings of forensic science professionals and students in the world.
Attending the conference were 16 students and six faculty members, with seven students and two faculty members presenting their research on various forensic and scientific topics.
“Through strong representation at this conference, UCO FSI has earned a solid reputation as one of the top forensic science programs in the country,” said John Mabry, Ph.D., director of UCO’s FSI.
“I’m proud of the FSI faculty and students who serve as ambassadors of our great university and program on this unique national stage.”
UCO recently received the Research Colleges and Universities designation in the 2025 Research Activity Designations published by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This solidifies Central’s position as a national leader in graduate and undergraduate research.
“Attending the American Academy of Forensic Science Annual Conference in Baltimore and presenting my research was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Cooper Blair, a UCO graduate student studying digital forensics from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I chose the Forensic Science Institute at UCO because of the exceptional faculty whose expertise and mentorship have pushed me to pursue my ambitions. The unwavering support of the entire faculty has been fundamental in refining my research and inspiring me to explore innovative approaches to challenges in forensic science."
The UCO FSI has overseen Central's undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs since 2009. The institute has seen significant growth from its inception—from fewer than 100 students in 2009 to nearly 1,000 forensic science majors. It is the largest forensic science education program in the country and is ranked as a top institution in the nation for forensic science.
The FSI offers four Bachelor of Science degrees and four Master of Science degrees in Forensic Science. Additionally, Central offers a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Forensic Science. The doctoral degree is the latest in a string of successes for the institute, including national rankings for programs and historic Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) accreditation for all graduate degrees.
To learn more about the UCO FSI, visit www.uco.edu/fsi.
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Cutline: Students and faculty from the University of Central Oklahoma, pictured, recently participated in the 77th annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) in Baltimore, Maryland.
