We are proud to be a collaborative endeavor at FIU demonstrating extraordinary success in providing unique learning opportunities, pioneering research and engagement. Founded in 2018, we combined two decades of experience to engage the forensic science and criminal justice industries from the crime scene to the courtroom. Learn more about our history.
Pioneering the Forensic Sciences
- 1974Undergraduate forensic science program established
- 1995National Forensic Science Technology Center established by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, building innovations for crime laboratories
- 1997Florida Board of Governors approves the International Forensic Research Institute, the first academic forensic science center in Florida
- 1998First Master’s of Science degree in Forensic Science offered in Florida
- 2004First undergrad and graduate forensic science degrees in the nation accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Science
- 2005PhD programs with forensic science concentration launched
- 2012First in Florida to offer a forensic science Professional Science Master’s program
- 2018Global Forensic and Justice Center established by merging NFSTC and IFRI; named an FIU Preeminent Program
- 2019First-in-the-nation Bachelor of Science in Crime Science
- 2023No. 1 Professional Science Master’s Program in the country
Leadership
Our Executive Director
Dr. Kenneth G. Furton is the executive director of the Global Forensic and Justice Center and the chief scientific officer of Florida International University. He is a distinguished university professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and a world-leading scholar in forensic chemistry focused on trace detection and olfaction.
From 2007 to 2014, he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which he reorganized into three mission-based interdisciplinary schools to address some of the biggest issues facing society, raising $50M in philanthropic gifts and doubling research funding to $60M annually. From 2014 to 2022 he served as provost, executive vice president and chief operating officer of FIU where he has led the development and implementation of two FIU strategic plans helping to create a dynamic, results-oriented university with dramatic improvements in student success and research preeminence including simultaneously doubling the four-year graduation rates to over 60%, doubling research expenditures to $250M annually and a 30 fold increase in patents to more than 60 annually achieving a Top 20 patent ranking. He also helped secure over $100 million in philanthropic gifts and FIU moved from #8 to #1 in the state of Florida performance-based funding rankings. Under his leadership FIU was the most improved R1 university in the nation in U.S. News rankings, improving 54 spots in five years to No. 78 public and ranked No. 17 in Innovation and No. 5 in Social Mobility.
Deputy Executive Director
Kevin Lothridge is the Deputy Executive Director of the Global Forensic & Justice Center. Mr. Lothridge is an accomplished forensic scientist and business leader with 30 years of experience in the international forensics industry. He served as CEO and Executive Director of the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) from 2006-2020. Prior to joining NFSTC, he served as chief forensic chemist and laboratory director for the Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff’s Department and the Pinellas County Forensics Laboratory.
Mr. Lothridge holds a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree in Management from National Louis University. He is currently completing a PhD in Forensic Chemistry at Western Sydney University. He has served as president of the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) and is a Fellow with the American Academy of Forensic Science.
Media Relations
On deadline? Need story ideas? Looking for an expert? Contact us at forensics@fiu.edu.
Michelle Chernicoff
GFJC Communications Program Director
Phone: 727-395-2511 x174
Email: mchernic@fiu.edu
JoAnn Adkins
Director of Marketing & Communications
Office: CASE 456
Phone: 305-348-0398
Email: jadkins@fiu.edu
Free Resources
We have a wealth of downloadable resources for reporters, researchers, and television, print and online media outlets.
Purpose: Equitable justice through science, scholarship, and service.
Mission: Truth and knowledge improve all aspects of the rule of law and systems of justice. Our comprehensive approach unites experts from all disciplines to strengthen and improve investigations, reduce injustices, and support a safer world for all. We are dedicated to fair, impartial, and proven approaches that leverage non-partisan science to benefit society.
Values: We promote the stewardship of strong scientific foundations, regardless of the discipline or field. We are committed to ethical scientific knowledge and research that inform decisions throughout the justice process. We believe that the truth can never hurt a just cause and we know that science, combined with humility and integrity, is the best path to the truth.