Forensic Training Academies

The International Latent Print Examiner Training Academy will be 20 weeks total classroom time with a 4 day break at Easter.

Yes, there may be additional rooms available in the same facility, at the same discounted rate or there are many other rooming options in Meridian.

The cost for attending the academy is $19,500.00 per student for tuition. This includes twenty weeks of instruction (5 days a week), all reading materials, comparison desks and lamps, comparison exercises, laboratory chemicals and supplies, and personal protective equipment.

No, the price has already been set as low as possible.

Yes, the academy costs cannot be broken down in any way. Also, testing is not typically required in any of RS&A’s current classes, but is required in the academy. So, graduation from the academy is based on the successful completion of all 20 weeks.

No, airfare is not included.

Agencies with forensic laboratories or identification units have specific educational requirements in order to qualify for an interview. RS&A will utilize the most stringent educational requirements for acceptance into the academy. This will ensure that the student can meet the educational requirements of any municipal, state or federal agency, when they graduate.

1) If the applicant has already been hired by the agency, RS&A will waive our educational requirements in lieu of the agency’s educational requirements.

2) If the applicant has not been hired by an agency, the educational requirement would be a BS or MS degree in forensic science, natural science or a closely related field, a minimum of 24 hard science hours and a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Agencies with forensic laboratories or identification units have specific security conditions (background investigations) that must be met in order to be hired. RS&A will require stringent security conditions in order to be accepted into this academy. Each student will ultimately need to pass the necessary background requirements to secure a position with any municipal, state or federal agency.

1) If the applicant has already been hired by the agency, RS&A will waive the background investigation in lieu of the agency’s background investigation.

2) If the applicant has not been hired by an agency, a background check will be required. This is to ensure that any student who pays for the academy, will be able to pass a background investigation upon being hired.

In order to give each student the best opportunity for success in this program, we will be testing for visual acuity. Those that cannot pass the visual acuity test will not be accepted into the academy.

1) All applicants will be required to take a visual acuity test prior to the academy to make sure they have the visual acuity skills to be successful in the academy.

RS&A can not offer any financial assistance or student loans. It is the responsibility of the applicant / agency to provide the funding required.

- (2) Magnifiers
- (2) Pointers
- Laptop Computer with Adobe Photoshop CC.

Contact RS&A Academy Director Matt Marvin to discuss equipment rental options and pricing.

Dress code is business casual. (ex. Dockers/polo)
Dress code on the scheduled down days is jeans and a t-shirt. (ex. lab days & clean-up days)
Dress code for courtroom is business attire.
Dress code for graduation is business attire.

Yes. Travel between the host hotel, classroom, laboratory, courtroom, and graduation is required. If you are unable to bring a vehicle, students may also “buddy-up” with other students that do have vehicles.

Yes, there will be a new academy scheduled each year.