The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is deepening its strategic public safety partnership with UCF by embedding experts at the university’s Academic Health Sciences Campus. Relocating FDLE鈥檚 toxicology laboratory to the UCF facility in Lake Nona better connects academic-industry research, workforce development and forensic testing in one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing medical and technology corridors.
鈥淭his partnership reflects what UCF was built to do 鈥� bring talent, technology and applied research together in service to Florida,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright.
Previously based in downtown Orlando, the FDLE Orlando Toxicology Lab handles approximately 10,000 cases per year. Working more closely with UCF in Lake Nona supports FDLE鈥檚 mission to deliver timely, high-quality forensic testing for law enforcement agencies across Central Florida and the state, helping investigators and prosecutors rely on sound science in pursuit of justice.
鈥淭his partnership reflects what UCF was built to do 鈥� bring talent, technology and applied research together in service to Florida,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淏y welcoming the FDLE Orlando Toxicology Lab to UCF鈥檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus, we are bringing state forensic operations closer to faculty expertise and future workforce, creating opportunities to make smarter use of public resources while strengthening the knowledge, talent and tools available to keep Floridians safe.鈥�
FDLE leaders say the partnership reflects a broader strategy to modernize forensic services while building a strong talent pipeline.
鈥淭hrough this partnership between FDLE and UCF, we are investing in the future of forensic science,鈥� says聽FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. 鈥淭his partnership enhances our ability to recruit highly trained forensic scientists, develop new techniques and deliver timely, high-quality results to law enforcement agencies for investigations.鈥�
Research Driving Real-World Impact
Now part of Lake Nona Medical City, FDLE experts will benefit from proximity to UCF researchers as they 鈥� together聽鈥� aim to strengthen the region鈥檚 role as a hub for biomedical research, health innovation and forensic science. This includes work to advance drug detection methods, study emerging synthetic substances, improve toxicology workflows and develop faster analytical tools to support criminal investigations.
鈥淭he closer our researchers are to operational labs, the more responsive and impactful their work becomes,鈥� says Jack Ballantyne, UCF chemistry professor and director of the National Center for Forensic Science. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to identify challenges in real time and immediately begin working on solutions.鈥�
From Classroom to Crime Lab
Over the years, numerous UCF alums have built impactful careers at FDLE. Many credit their hands-on training, research opportunities and mentorship at UCF, as well as guest speakers from FDLE, for preparing them to excel in high-stakes forensic environments.
鈥淚 was lucky enough to complete my internship with FDLE Toxicology, where I was able to experience firsthand what the day-to-day workflow is like before graduating,鈥� says Lauren McCool 鈥�15, a UCF forensic science alum and FDLE crime laboratory analyst who remains engaged with UCF as an FDLE guest lecturer. 鈥淲hen I began my career with FDLE I was able to navigate the laboratory with confidence due to the real-world and hands-on experience I had at UCF.鈥�
With FDLE鈥檚 new proximity, students will have even greater access to internships, experiential learning and professional networking 鈥� accelerating the pathway from classroom to career and helping prepare more graduates for forensic science roles that serve Florida鈥檚 communities.
Leading Forensic Science Education
UCF brings the academic depth, research capacity and student pipeline needed to support FDLE鈥檚 long-term forensic science needs. The partnership reinforces UCF鈥檚 role as Florida鈥檚 Technological University and a national leader in forensic science education and research.
UCF ranks No. 6 in the nation for Bachelor鈥檚 in Forensic Science Degree Programs, according to CriminalJusticeDegreeSchools.com. UCF鈥檚 undergraduate program was established in 1974, making it one of the oldest forensic science programs in the country. About 500 students are currently enrolled across UCF鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral forensic science degree offerings.
Established in 1997, the National Center for Forensic Science, based in Central Florida Research Park, is made up 色花堂 faculty and staff whose research touches everything from DNA analysis to chemical analysis of trace evidence.聽Their work often contributes to industry-wide advancements in forensic science. This includes research earlier this year on the 鈥渇antastic four鈥� chemical standards to provide a consistent and critical reference point for forensic anthropology and toxicology work.
