We had 115 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of January. These training entries primarily represent webinar presentations.
The Laboratory had JAG Grant funding for training in Fiscal Year 2019, and was able to send a variety of Laboratory personnel to different quality training venues. The Crime Laboratory has 29 positions allotted to it; we currently have 26 current employees and three vacancies. Of Lab’s 26 current employees, 16 are licensed Forensic Analysts by the State of Texas, and 3 are Latent Print Examiners certified in Latent Print Examination by the International Association of Identification (IAI). All 3 vacancies will need to be filled with licensed Forensic Analysts. In order to maintain statutorily required Continuing Forensic Education (CFE) for Licensed Analysts, and required training for the Certified Latent Print Examiners, the Laboratory’s Training Budget must be increased. The Lab's current training budget is inadequate.
Currently the Laboratory’s total training budget is $9,300.00. Based on the historical Cost per Credit Hour for training for Laboratory personnel, I have requested that the Budget/Finance Unit increase the Lab’s training budget by $29,622.40.
On the positive side, due to COVID-19 there are now online training venues available that Laboratory personnel can receive CFE that previously did not exist; it cost less to attend online training venues than in-person training venues.