RUFSI recognized for assistance to law enforcement

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Radford University’s Cliff and Donna Boyd, co-directors of the Radford University Forensic Science Institute, were presented with honorary membership into the Virginia Forensic Science Academy (VFSA) at the academy’s annual convention Sept. 3 in Virginia Beach.

The VFSA is an elite academy offering forensic science instruction to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s law enforcement personnel through the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VDFS). The Academy trains law enforcement personnel to properly locate, recognize, document and collect items of physical evidence utilizing a systemic approach to crime scene investigation.

Based on recommendations by state and local law enforcement officers, the honor is "in recognition of their contributions to the Forensic Science Academy and the advancement of crime scene investigation." Honorary Membership is the highest award given to civilians by the active membership of the academy.

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Professor of Anthropology Cliff Boyd is joined by VFSA members after the ceremony in which he and Professor of Anthropology Donna Boyd were honored.

"We are honored by this acknowledgement from a community of professionals for whom we have a profound respect and admiration," said Cliff Boyd.

The Boyds have taught workshops in forensic anthropology and archaeology regularly at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Richmond since 2003. In addition, they have taught several workshops at Radford on human skeletal analysis and crime scene documentation for law enforcement and search and recovery personnel. Since 1999, they have assisted the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Western District, and law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth in crime scene investigation and analysis of human remains from forensic cases.

"Dr. Cliff Boyd and Dr. Donna Boyd have been teaming up to teach the forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology portions of the Virginia Forensic Academy for nearly 15 years," said Jeff Dwyer, VDFS Training Manager. "Despite their busy schedules, they have always been eager to share their expertise with the academy students. The Virginia Forensic Science Academy and hundreds of Virginia law enforcement personnel have benefitted from their instruction through our program over the years."

As recently as Sept. 13, members of the RUFSI Search Team assisted the Virginia State Police. Seven forensic anthropology students accompanied the Boyds on a successful search for human remains in Bland County, Virginia. The case is currently under investigation.

Oct 6, 2015