For The State Journal

HUNTINGTON -- Since it accepted its first class of students in 1995, the Marshall University Forensic Science Center steadily has grown in both size and reputation, evolving into a recognized leader that's on the cutting edge of forensic science.

The center's nationally accredited DNA laboratory and training facilities attract eager students and law enforcement professionals from around the country. Digital forensics, microbial forensics and analytical chemistry are also important elements of the center's mission.

In the beginning, the program was housed in makeshift quarters fashioned from what had been a locker room at Marshall's old Fairfield Stadium. Later, a modern addition provided additional space. Last year, the center opened a new three-story annex building next door.

In its 15-year history, the program has made major strides.

"Ours is the first university-affiliated DNA Index System (CODIS) Laboratory in the country," said Dr. Terry Fenger, the center's founding director.

CODIS, Fenger explained, is a national DNA database aimed at compiling the DNA profiles of criminal offenders. Blood samples are taken from West Virginia offenders and sent to the Marshall lab. The lab creates a distinct DNA profile for each and sends it to the State Police, who then enter the profile into the state database and send it on to the FBI for inclusion in the national database.

Thus, when a crime occurs in which DNA is discovered, that sample can be compared to the state and national databases, perhaps identifying the culprit.

But the center's work extends beyond West Virginia's borders. Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, Florida and California all have turned to the Marshall center for help.

"Something we're really proud of is our new digital forensics lab," Fenger said.

Installed at a cost of $175,000, the lab has sophisticated computer hardware and software that enables law enforcement to analyze and preserve digital evidence that may be present on suspects' computers and cell phones.

Digital evidence now is part of many criminal cases but is especially prevalent in child pornography investigations.

Assigned to the lab virtually full time, State Police Cpl. Robert J. Boggs uses its computers to determine the Internet addresses of individuals who appear to be trafficking in child pornography via computer. Once a suspect is identified, a search warrant is obtained and the computer in question taken into custody for forensic examination.

"It's just unbelievable to me how much child pornography there is out there," said Fenger.

Other crimes -- from murder to embezzlement -- also can present a need for the forensic examination of computer hard drives and cell phones, Boggs said.

Marshall, Fenger said, is one of the few schools in the nation that's training students in digital forensics. Part of the challenge, he said, is that the field is one that's changing so rapidly.

"It's like the train is pulling out of the station at 100 miles per hour, and we're trying to catch it," he said. "When authorities go into a house to check a computer, they don't know if they're going to find one that's several years old or maybe one that's so new they've never seen anything like it before."

Marshall's digital forensics lab, Fenger said, was funded by an earmarked appropriation inserted in the federal budget by U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., a long-time supporter of the Forensics Center. He also praised local legislators -- especially State Sens. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Evan Jenkins D-Cabell -- for their help to the center.

The center's new building essentially is a work in progress, Fenger said. Only the first floor is now in use. It houses classrooms and a new DNA lab, with the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.

The second floor is to be a business incubator operated in cooperation with the Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO).

"It's still essentially shell space," Fenger said. "There's no way we can build it out until we know who's going to be using it and what their needs will be."

The building's third floor is also still a shell. Plans call for it to house new labs, but that will require additional funding.

"We're always looking for grant money wherever we can find it," Fenger said.