Dollar Store Justice

WVU Forensic Initiative

The last stop on my WV Book Tour was at the West Virginia University Forensic Facility. On March 17 I had the pleasure of meeting with Max Houck, Projects Director for Forensic Science Research, Forensic Science Initiative. Houck, a former trace evidence specialist for the FBI crime lab, has written for Scientific American, authored Forensic Science: Modern Methods of Solving Crime, Fundamentals of Forensic Science, Trace Evidence Analysis: More Cases in Mute Witnesses, and others.

I was treated to a tour of the newly renovated Oglebay Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program. The charm and warmth of its 1918 architecture has been cleverly preserved inside and out while providing for a modern facility replete with natural light and state of the art equipment. If I lived closer, I would be signing up for classes!