FBI Director Announces the Appointment of Dr. Dwight E. Adams as Head of the FBI Laboratory

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, today announced the appointment of Dr. Dwight E. Adams, a PhD. biologist and an FBI Special Agent since 1983, as head of the FBI Laboratory.

Director Mueller said, “For nearly 20 years, Dwight has represented the very best in the FBI. He has served with distinction and professionalism. His diverse experience from investigator to pioneer in the forensic science community places him in a unique position to lead the FBI Laboratory into what is certain to be a challenging future as it plays a key role in the fight against crime and terrorism.”

Since entering on duty with the FBI in 1983, Dr. Adams has held various positions within the Laboratory Division. From 1987 to 1993 he served as an examiner and as Chief in the DNA Analysis Unit. He was the first FBI Agent to testify in court on DNA analysis and in all has testified more than 130 times for both the prosecution and defense.

Prior to the creation of the DNA Unit, Dr. Adams served on the research team in the FBI Laboratory to develop and validate DNA-testing procedures. Among his many research projects, one of the most important included testing the reliability of the procedures through validation research that would withstand the scrutiny of the judicial system. This work enabled the FBI to become the first public crime laboratory in the United States to offer DNA testing in criminal casework.

From 1994 to 1996, Dr. Adams served as the supervisor of the Interstate Theft Squad and Multi-agency Interstate Theft Task Force in the FBI’s Newark Division. During this assignment, he was also the Violent Crimes program coordinator where he supervised two successful undercover operations.

In 1997, Dr. Adams returned to the Laboratory Division where he served as Section Chief for the Forensic Science Research and Training Center at Quantico, VA, then as Chief of the Scientific Analysis Section at FBI Headquarters. He also has served as Deputy Assistant Director and most recently as the “Acting” Director of the FBI Laboratory.

Additionally, Dr. Adams has served in the FBI’s Memphis and Washington D.C. Field Offices where he worked violent crime and background investigations.

During his career, he has served as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Forensic Sciences, editor of the Forensic Science Communications, and as a member of the DNA Advisory Board, established by the DNA Identification Act of 1994. He also served as a commissioner on the Attorney General’s National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence.

Dr. Adams holds a B.S. from the University of Central Oklahoma, an M.S. from Illinois State University, and a PhD. in biology from the University of Oklahoma, which he earned in 1982.

In his new role, Dr. Adams will head the FBI Laboratory, which, since its establishment in 1932, has been recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world. He will oversee diverse functions of the FBI Laboratory which include: providing timely, high quality examinations of physical evidence; analytical reports; expert testimony in court; operational and technical support for investigations; research and development of new tools for forensic and investigative support; and training and symposia for crime laboratory practitioners and law enforcement personnel.

Dr. Adams will also lead the FBI Laboratory at an unprecedented time in its 70-year history, as it transitions to a new, state-of-the art facility in Quantico, Virginia. The new, 463,000 square-foot complex will enable the FBI Laboratory to continue as a leader in the application of science and technology to increasing forensic responsibilities and capabilities. Construction of the new laboratory facility is scheduled to be completed this year.