Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Nikki Morales has successfully graduated from the highly esteemed National Forensic Academy (NFA), operated by the University of Tennessee’s Law Enforcement Innovation Center.
Officer Morales was one of just 27 law enforcement professionals selected nationwide to complete Session 67 of the academy—a rigorous, 10-week, in-residence program providing over 400 hours of advanced training in forensic science. The program emphasizes practical application, with approximately 60% of instruction conducted through hands-on field exercises.
Throughout her training, Officer Morales participated in complex mock crime scenes and received in-depth instruction on analyzing bloodstain patterns, human remains, and various types of forensic evidence. She also received training in courtroom testimony to enhance the effective presentation of forensic findings in legal proceedings.
(L-R) Chief Michael Mullins, Sergeant Josh Lo, Officer Nikki Morales, Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler, and Lieutenant James Cothron
A significant portion of her coursework took place at the University of Tennessee’s Anthropological Research Facility, widely known as the “Body Farm,” where she studied post-mortem decomposition and skeletal biology in real-world conditions.
The National Forensic Academy is recognized as one of the nation’s premier forensic training programs for law enforcement.
Officer Morales’ graduation reflects the Mt. Juliet Police Department’s strong commitment to professional development, advanced training, and delivering exceptional investigative services to the community.
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