UHV Professor Provides Continued Legal Education to Area Attorneys
Dr. Richard Gunasekera, associate professor for the University of Houston-Victoria Biology Department, recently provided the Victoria Bar Association with a continued education training module for area attorneys in DNA forensics science.
The training module—delivered to 20 Victoria area attorneys—provided instruction on routine methods in DNA forensics and how they are applied in criminal cases, criminalistics and legal education. The attorneys also participated in laboratory demonstrations where methods for extracting DNA were explored.
“Advances in science technologies radically change the way criminal attorneys investigate and demonstrate evidence in today’s courtroom. Attorneys not only have to stay on top of new knowledgeable, but must take advantage quickly of new opportunities and findings,” said UHV President Tim Hudson. “We are proud of Dr. Gunasekera’s work.”
Gunasekera—who is a biochemical geneticist—has served in several criminal cases as an expert for area attorneys and as an advisor to the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office and City of Victoria Police Department.
In the fall of 2007, UHV’s School of Arts and Sciences is scheduled to offer a master’s program concentrating in Forensics Science. This program is a partnership between the departments of Biology, Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Victoria Advocate Audio News Director, Bill Clough, interviewed Dr. Gunasekera about the training module for the attorneys. To hear an audio clip from that interview, visit The Victoria Advocate website at http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/233/story/25105.html. The link will be available for a limited time.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
