National Forensic Science Technology Center - NFSTC

18/10/2026

🧪 It's National Chemistry Week!

Behind every chemical analysis is the potential to uncover critical evidence, answer important questions, and advance an investigation.

From identifying unknown substances to examining trace materials, forensic chemistry plays an essential role in helping investigators understand the evidence before them.

This week, we're celebrating the science, technology, and professionals who turn complex chemical information into meaningful investigative insights.

At the NFSTC, we're proud to support the advancement of forensic science through training, technology, research, and mission support.

🔬 Science. Serving. Justice.

💬 Did you know how many different ways chemistry contributes to criminal investigations? Follow along this week as we explore the science behind the evidence!

16/10/2026

🎉 WE HAVE OUR WINNERS! 🎉

The results are in! Congratulations to the three winners of NFSTC's Digital Crime Scene Photography Online Course Giveaway! 📸🔬

🏆 Facebook: Dave Wilson

🏆 Instagram:

🏆 LinkedIn: Emmanuel Adebiyi

Each winner will receive complimentary access to our Digital Crime Scene Photography online training course!

📩 Winners: Please contact us at [email protected] to claim your prize and coordinate your course enrollment.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and shared their enthusiasm for forensic science education!

Your engagement reminds us why advancing forensic knowledge and making quality training accessible matters.

Didn't win this time? Stay connected! More opportunities to learn and grow are ahead.

🔗 Explore our training opportunities on NFSTC's website!

Science. Serving. Justice.

16/10/2026

🔬 FORENSIC FRIDAY | Myth vs. Fact

👀 MYTH: You can identify an unknown substance just by looking at it.

🧪 FACT: Appearance alone cannot reliably determine a substance's chemical identity.

Two substances may look nearly identical but have very different chemical compositions and properties.

That's why forensic scientists rely on analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and other validated methods, to help identify unknown materials.

These technologies provide scientific information that visual observation alone cannot.

🔎 Here's something to think about: If two powders look exactly alike, could they actually be completely different substances?

Absolutely!

And with National Chemistry Week beginning October 18, we're excited to explore more of the science behind forensic investigations.

💙💛 Science. Serving. Justice.

15/10/2026

🔬 TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY | Identifying the Unknown

What can light tell us about an unknown substance? More than you might think!

Raman spectroscopy uses the interaction between light and matter to provide information about a material's molecular composition, helping forensic and hazardous-materials professionals identify unknown substances.

Handheld technologies, like the PENDAR Raman analyzer pictured here, demonstrate how advanced scientific instruments can bring analytical capabilities closer to the point of need.

These tools can support faster, more informed decisions while helping professionals assess potentially hazardous materials.

💙💛 Science. Serving. Justice.

14/10/2026

☣️ WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY | Training for the Unexpected

When the environment is unpredictable, preparation is everything.

Working in hazardous environments requires more than technical knowledge. It demands confidence, precision, and the ability to perform critical tasks while wearing specialized protective equipment.

Through hands-on hazardous materials (HAZMAT) training, NFSTC helps professionals strengthen their ability to navigate challenging conditions, apply established procedures, and make informed decisions under pressure.

Because preparedness isn't just about knowing what to do. It's about being ready to do it.

💙💛 Science. Serving. Justice.

☠️

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

🔎 TRAINING TUESDAY | Beyond the Evidence

Investigating crimes against children requires more than technical knowledge. It requires the ability to communicate effectively, recognize the needs of victims, and approach sensitive situations with care.

Understanding how to communicate with child victims and their families is an essential component of effective investigative practices.

By combining technical expertise with an understanding of the human side of investigations, law enforcement professionals can strengthen their approach to these complex and sensitive cases.

Because how we communicate can be just as important as what we uncover.

💙💛 Science. Serving. Justice.

12/10/2026

🚨📸 CSI TRAINING GIVEAWAY!📸🚨

Ever wondered what it takes to properly document a crime scene through photography? Here's your chance to sharpen your skills — ON US!

NFSTC is giving away a FREE enrollment in our Digital Crime Scene Photography – CEU course! 🎉

🔎 HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ FOLLOW our page!
2️⃣ LIKE this post!
3️⃣ COMMENT below and tell us: What's the most important thing to capture when photographing a crime scene? Commenting is required for entry.

🏆 THREE WINNERS. THREE OPPORTUNITIES!

We're selecting one winner from Facebook, one from Instagram, and one from LinkedIn!

📅 Entries close Thursday, October 15, at 11:59 PM ET. Winners will be randomly selected and announced Friday, October 16!

Whether you're a seasoned investigator, a forensic science student, or just beginning your CSI journey, we want to hear from you!

🔗 Learn more about the course:
https://shop.nfstc.fiu.edu/product/digital-crime-scene-photography-ceu/

💙💛 Science. Serving. Justice.

No purchase necessary. One entry per person per platform. Eligibility requirements apply. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

09/10/2026

🔎 FORENSIC FRIDAY | MYTH vs. FACT

TV makes it look easy: find a fingerprint, run it through a database, and case solved.

Real forensic science is a little more complicated.

Latent prints can be partial, distorted, smudged, or affected by the surface on which they were left. Before a print can be used for comparison, an examiner must determine whether it contains sufficient quality and detail to support the examination process.

That’s why recovering a fingerprint is only the beginning. The value of the evidence depends on what the print can actually tell us.

At NFSTC, hands-on training helps forensic professionals develop the skills to properly recognize, process, preserve, and evaluate evidence in real-world conditions.

Because in forensic science, every detail matters.

Science Serving Justice.

08/10/2026

Technology continues to change what’s possible in forensic science and sometimes, it changes how quickly answers can be reached.

For this week’s , we’re taking a closer look at Rapid DNA technology.

Rapid DNA systems are designed to automate many of the steps involved in developing a DNA profile, integrating processes that traditionally require multiple pieces of laboratory equipment into a streamlined system.

At NFSTC, access to technologies like these allows our team to provide hands-on training, demonstrate emerging capabilities, and help forensic and public safety professionals better understand both the possibilities and appropriate applications of the tools available to them.

Technology alone doesn’t solve a case. Its value comes from pairing the right tools with trained professionals who understand the science behind them.

That’s where technology becomes capability.