Two forensic chemists from the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were recent guest speakers in Dr. Derek L. Smith’s Introductory Forensic Science class at Howard Payne University. Dr. Smith is an assistant professor of chemistry at HPU.

The seminar, entitled “CSI In a New Era,” was presented by Darrell L. Davis, director of DEA South Central Laboratory in Dallas, and Mary Gay, DEA forensic chemist. The speakers addressed the topic of the real work of forensic science in the worldwide war on drugs. These experts were careful to point out that much of what is portrayed in popular serial dramas reflects what a DEA field agent might do, but the work of bench chemists in the laboratory is very different.

“I feel that having an accurate representation of at least one aspect of forensic science is important for those of us whose only impression of the field comes from weekly television dramas,” said Smith.  “In an illustration of the point, Ms. Gay began her portion of the seminar by stating that she has never carried a gun during a drug bust or kicked down a door.”

At the conclusion of the lecture, Dr. Smith presented Davis with a certificate of appreciation for his donation of a Tandem GC-infrared spectrometer to aid the forensic science program at HPU.  This acquisition will be used to train students with modern instrumentation used presently in the war on drugs.

Pictured above:  Darrell L. Davis, director of DEA South Central Laboratory in Dallas, was one of two guest lecturers in Dr. Derek L. Smith’s forensic science class at Howard Payne University.  Photo Contributed by HPU senior Amanda Hendrix.