Howard County Prosecutors Tap UMD Students for Forensic Accounting Aid

The memorandum of understanding allows the State’s Attorney’s Office to request specialized investigative support on a case-by-case basis. Under the guidance of senior lecturer Samuel Handwerger, students from the Smith School will work alongside credentialed professionals to analyze bank records and financial documents. This hands-on training provides students with practical experience while helping law enforcement overcome the resource constraints often associated with labor-intensive financial crime cases.

State’s Attorney Rich Gibson emphasized that the collaboration is designed to help his office better follow financial evidence, which is essential for holding offenders accountable and securing justice for those who have lost their sense of security. While JFV provides these services at no cost, the organization maintains a neutral stance, focusing solely on the objective analysis of evidence rather than acting as a legal advocate. Every engagement is governed by specific assignment letters to ensure data security, confidentiality, and proper handling of grand jury materials.