A Forensic Association of the Carolinas has been formed,said Michael Parker, District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 20A, at a meeting at the Cole Auditorium, Hamlet.

“District 20A has taken a global approach to forensics,” Parker said, “because each level of response to a criminal act is a step on the path to a successful prosecution, from dispatch to the courtroom.”

The association will offer forensic education, he said, to strengthen criminal cases with the goal of reaching prosecution.

“With technological advancements coming at a record pace, it is important that our dispatchers, nurses, EMS, first responders, social service personnel, educators, law enforcement and prosecutors be up-to-date on the most recent advancements,” Parker said, because they can each affect the outcome of an investigation.

The association will provide a forum on roles of those involved in the criminal justice system.

The membership includes representatives from Anson, Stanly, Richmond, Scotland, Moore, Rutherford, McDowell, Cabarrus, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Gaston and Guilford counties; York County, S.C.; Palm Beach County, Fla.; England and Italy.

Elected officers are; Capt. Bob Steele, Hamlet Police Department, president; Dr. Janie Sigmon, Ph.D., York Tech College, vice president; Lt. Gordon Jackson, Wadesboro Police Department, second vice president; Detective Jody Cook, Albemarle Police Department, sergeant at arms; Lt. Scott Waters, HPD, secretary; Rich Garrett, vice president of continuing education, Richmond Community College, treasurer; and Laura Pettler, 20A forensic investigator; and Chief Deputy Steve Smith, Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, editors; and Chaplain Michael Ordway, RCC criminal justice instructor.

Members of the board of directors are Randy Horton, investigator, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, chairman; Billy Scoggins, detective sergeant, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office; Chief Joe Lowder and Lt. George Burris, both of the Oakboro Police Department; and John Robich, RCC criminal justice instructor.

Five regional directors elected include: Detective Kelly Aldridge, Rutherford Sheriff’s Office; Tommy Lytle, 20A investigator for Rutherford and McDowell counties; Heather Burkard, 20A investigator for Cabarris County; Sgt. Sharon Reid, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office; and Ordway.

Members who join before Friday will be considered charter members of the association. That includes auxiliary memberships for community partners not involved in the criminal justice process but who want to support the mission of the association, Parker said.

Applications may be made online at www.the FACs.org.