Published: December 18, 2006 09:46 pm         

National forensics expert to join UCO Forensic Institute

EDMOND — Dwight Adams, director of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Institute, has announced the hiring of Thomas Jourdan as assistant director for the Institute.

Jourdan comes to UCO after more than 20 years as a special agent with the FBI, helping to pioneer new investigative techniques in forensic science.

He currently is assigned by the FBI as liaison to the Department of Energy/Department of Homeland Security national laboratory complex and works at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif., to lead “extraordinary efforts” in forensic examinations.

“Dr. Jourdan and I were colleagues at the FBI for nearly two decades, and I know him to be one of the world’s foremost experts in forensic science,” Adams said. “We are very pleased to have someone of his caliber join us at UCO.”

Jourdan previously was head of the FBI Laboratory’s Explosives Unit; was the FBI liaison to the Scottish police during the investigation of the Pan Am 103 bombing case in Lockerbie, Scotland; and he participated on a team of experts for evidence collection in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Centennial Park Olympic bombing and the Oklahoma City bombing.

Jourdan is known among forensic scientists as having pioneered the area of drug residue detection in the field.

For about 10 years, Jourdan has been the lead law enforcement representative on a United Nations-sponsored group regarding nuclear smuggling.

UCO President W. Roger Webb said Jourdan’s reputation would be a great asset to the university.

“Dr. Jourdan comes to Oklahoma with nationally recognized credentials in forensics, weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism,” Webb said. “He is the caliber of instructor that we will be adding to our team of experts and faculty that will solidify Oklahoma as the national leader in forensic education.”

In addition to his position as assistant director of the UCO Forensic Science Institute, Jourdan will serve as an associate professor in the Chemistry Department.

     

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