A Review of Existing Forensic Laboratory Education Research and Needs Assessment

Existing Forensic Laboratory Education Research and Needs Assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Forensic education is relatively new in comparison to other scientific disciplines as is content delivery via non-traditional, on-line, or hybrid academic programs. Published research on educational approaches is also limited. Therefore, this study identifies current peer-reviewed research in the area of forensic laboratory education regardless of pedagogy. Methods: A literature search using PubMed (US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) was conducted to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles. The search terms "forensic", "laboratory", "education", and "standards" were used to identify research in this area. Using the terms "forensic laboratory education standards" resulted in 155 results, however after a closer examination, only 14 of the articles were relevant to forensic laboratory education  (Baranski et al., 2020; Brooks et al., 2017; Burgess et al., 2011; Chohan et al., 2020; Dadour et al., 2001; Feliciano et al., 2019; Henson, 2019; Horowitz & Naritoku, 2007; Maeda et al., 2014; McKenna, 2007; Spencer et al., 2017; Stamper et al., 2020; Tregar & Proni, 2010; Zeller & Elkins, 2020). Results: The majority of the literature resides in forensic medical/nursing, biology, anthropology/entomology, and psychological/psychiatry education or is not specific to one forensic discipline. Each of the articles were assessed for target educational level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate/doctoral, medical or continuing professional education), forensic discipline, pedagogy, delivery style (synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid), academic standards, and educational levels of faculty/authors. Conclusion: There is a significant lack of literature on the effectiveness of forensic laboratory education. There is a need for laboratory education research in the areas of forensic chemistry, biology, physics/pattern interpretation, crime scene/death investigation, and digital multimedia. Further, research on effective laboratory education that is supported by educational standards could be helpful to the forensic education community in considering content delivery, educational effectiveness, research needs for forensic education as well as assisting organizations who hire graduates of forensic science programs.