Forensic Innovation Center Launched, High-Tech Jobs Created
LARGO - The National Forensic Science Technology Center announces the Forensic Innovation Center, a new, for-profit enterprise in Largo. The new organization will expand NFSTC offerings and provide up to 40 new job opportunities in Pinellas County over the next three years.
The FIC is a new concept that will redefine forensic intelligence services and centralize innovative direction for the industry. The Center is already successful as an informal business cluster, having attracted a variety of partners to the area to work together in providing strong project delivery for homeland security, defense and justice community stakeholders and clients.
“This is an exciting time for us,” says Kevin Lothridge, CEO of NFSTC. “With this expansion, we’ll clarify the different activities the NFSTC will do in the grant and cooperative agreement arena and the contract work the FIC will do in the for-profit sector, raising the bar on innovation and building a 40-person workforce over the next several years.”
Forensic science tools and technologies are becoming increasingly important to national security at all levels. Initial FIC service offerings include:
- Scientific and professional consulting services for public organizations and business customers
- Prime contracting to the government for procurement, delivery, training and technology integration
- Cluster development and support to recruit like partners for the strategic growth of the Center
- Forensic science consulting
- Biometric technologies, including DNA
- Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced forensic intelligence tools including processes and systems, hardware, software, analytical reagents and sensors for the collection and analysis of forensic materials
