NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of Physical Sciences and Department of Biology and Microbiology have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Louisiana Crime Laboratory in Shreveport.
Under the agreement NLCL will provide internships for students in either forensic laboratory science or forensic investigation degree programs.
“This MOU between Northwestern State University (NSU) and the North Louisiana Crime Laboratory (NLCL) provides invaluable experiential learning opportunities for our students pursuing degrees in forensic laboratory science and forensic investigation,” said Dr. Christopher Lyles, director of the School of STEM at NSU. “By offering structured internships, the collaboration ensures that students gain practical, hands-on experience under professional supervision, enhancing their skills and employability upon graduation. The partnership also helps students understand real-world professional standards and expectations, better preparing them for successful careers in forensic science.”
NSU will ensure students meet the educational and professional requirements set forth by NLCL prior to accepting students into their programs.
NLCL was established in Shreveport in1970 to serve the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster in northwest Louisiana and has expanded to cover 30 parishes in north and central Louisiana. Laboratories are located in Shreveport and Alexandria with a drop off location in West Monroe.
A significant milestone in the history of the NLCL System was its initial accreditation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) in September 1986 and it has retained accreditation each year.
Information on the School of STEM is available at https://www.nsula.edu/stem.
Caption
North Louisiana Crime Laboratory System Director Joey Jones, front left, and Northwestern State University President James T. Genovese sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the NLCL and NSU. Under the agreement, NLCL will provide internships for NSU students in either forensic laboratory science or forensic investigation degree programs. Also attending the signing ceremony are, back from left, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Francene Lemoine, Director of the School of STEM Dr. Christopher Lyles, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Greg Handel, Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Chad Thibodeaux, NLCL Lab Director Amy Patton and NLCL Operations Director Alanna Brauer.
