Established in 2018, the Global Forensic and Justice Center (GFJC) is a department within Florida International University which serves as a collaboration hub for forensic science and criminal justice research, workforce development, and applied solutions. GFJC serves as the unifying department that facilitates collaboration between FIU’s academic forensic research arm, the International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), and its applied training and professional development arm, the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC). Collectively, these departments bring over 30 years' experience supporting the full justice continuum from the crime scene to the courtroom through innovation, collaboration, and global security engagement. Learn more about our history and past performance.
GFJC Pioneering the Forensic Sciences
- 1974Undergraduate forensic science program established
- 1995National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) established by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, building innovations for crime laboratories
- 1997Florida Board of Governors approves the International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), 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 (AAFS)
- 2005PhD programs with forensic science concentration launched
- 2012First in Florida to offer a forensic science Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program
- 2018Global Forensic and Justice Center (GFJC) 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
- 2024The only American University joining the Global Forensic Science Alliance with top forensic science programs from universities in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the UK
- 20257 Faculty listed as Top Global Scientists in Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list
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 chemical and scent detection.
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 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. During his tenure, he doubled the four-year graduation rates to over 60%, doubled research expenditures to $250M, and increased patents by 30-fold to more than 60 annually achieving a Top 20 patent ranking. Furton also helped secure more than $100 million in philanthropic gifts, moving FIU 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, stepping up by 54 spots in five years to No. 78 public, No. 17 in Innovation, and No. 5 in Social Mobility.
Interim Deputy Executive Director
Clint Arhelger is the Interim Deputy Executive Director of the Global Forensic & Justice Center (GFJC) at Florida International University, where he provides strategic leadership to advance forensic science education, research, and operational initiatives. With over 33 years of experience spanning military service, Department of Defense roles, and leadership in academia, he has dedicated much of his career to advancing forensic science training and capabilities. Mr. Arhelger has held pivotal roles such as Senior Director of Operations at the GFJC, Identity & Exploitations Operations Training Support Specialist for U.S. Army Europe-Africa, and Director of Project Services at the National Forensic Science Technology Center.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Arhelger retired with honors after a distinguished career in Chemical Corps and Special Operations roles, where he managed complex operations in dynamic and mission-critical settings. He has successfully led multimillion-dollar Department of Defense forensic science programs, developed biometric and forensic professional development courses for U.S. and international military and law enforcement professionals, and provided strategic oversight to advance forensic training and research initiatives at GFJC.
Mr. Arhelger earned a degree in management with a concentration in leadership from American Military University and is actively pursuing further professional growth through advanced academic studies. As Deputy Executive Director, he is committed to fostering innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving excellence in forensic science education and justice initiatives globally.
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.