About FIRE

Founded in 2006 by nationally known and respected forensic anthropologist, Dr. Hugh Berryman, FIRE augments MTSU’s already strong Forensic Science, Anthropology and Criminal Justice programs by providing integrative opportunities for students in different fields to engage in common projects. One way we do this is through sponsorship of the Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery (FASR) Team, which involves students in real-world forensic recoveries at the request of local and state law enforcement agencies. Other FIRE activities include a speaker series that brings internationally known forensic scientists and legal scholars to campus for the benefit of the public and the MTSU community. We also host our annual summer camp CSI:MTSU that makes forensic science accessible to high school students.


FIRE maintains both internal and external boards of advisors that help to facilitate all of the institute’s efforts and ensure that FIRE is meeting the needs of the students and broader community. The internal board is composed of MTSU faculty and administrators, while the external board consists of top administrators and forensic science practitioners from around the state and nation, and has historically included the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Metropolitan Davidson County Medical Examiner's Office; Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security; Drug Enforcement Authority; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. These internal and external boards meet annually to explore needs and examine areas of funded research.

All mailed correspondence should be directed to:

FIRE
Box 89
MTSU
Murfreesboro TN 37132


Please consider donating to FIRE


This year, FIRE's primary focus during the TrueBlue Give Campaign was to raise support for travel scholarships for our Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery (FASR) Team. These funds will allow students to participate in our Educational Study Abroad Program with Dr. Tiffany Saul and to attend international/national conferences such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting. If you would like to help us achieve our fundraising goals for these student travel scholarships, please designate your TrueBlue gift to FIRE.
The mission of the Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE) is to advance forensic science through education, research, and community service in collaboration with faculty, students, and community partners. FIRE does this through a variety of initiatives. FIRE provides training to law enforcement, death investigators, arson investigators, and other forensic professionals across the state. First and foremost is our work with the FASR Team. This hand-selected student team assists law enforcement and the medical examiner's office with the recovery and analysis of skeletal remains. FASR team members are provided with hands-on, real-life experiences with crime scenes and skeletal casework unlike that available to undergraduate students from any other university in the country. Besides numerous K-12 school visits, FIRE conducts its annual CSI:MTSU forensic summer youth camp. This allows students in 9th - 12th grades to explore unique career possibilities in forensic science while they develop critical thinking and teamwork skills. Every spring and fall, FIRE hosts the William M. Bass Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship, which brings in internationally-recognized forensic science experts to discuss a variety of topics and cases. Every amount helps so please consider making your tax-deductible gift today. To make a gift online, click on Donate to MTSU. When you visit the link, you are given a chance to make a "Gift Designation." Please check select the funds for your gift, select other in the box that will appear, and type in your fund preference (Forensic Institute for Research and Education Fund) in Other Giving Preference/Additional Comments box. Then finish filling in the information and click next at the bottom.

On behalf of FIRE, we sincerely thank you for your generous donation.

To establish a new scholarship or for more information about supporting the Forensic Institute for Research and Development, please contact: Meredith Kerr, Development Director, College of Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University, MTSU P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132. (615) 898-5223.

 

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Questions? Email us at fire@mtsu.edu.

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THE FASR TEAM is PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
 
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