The Virginia Forensic Science Academy concluded its 91st session recently. According to a release from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chris E. Stimpson successfully met all requirements, graduating April 7.

“The academy’s objective is to provide high-level training to qualified crime scene search officers,” police said in the release. “Law enforcement personnel learn to properly recognize, document, collect and preserve — for laboratory examination — items of physical evidence found at crime scenes.”

The release stated that an academy participant becomes familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the modern forensic laboratory in examining the spectrum of materials which can be collected as evidence in criminal cases.

The nine-week course of study also provides officers with necessary background information and techniques.