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.
#####
