Sgt. Faith Cunningham

A Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy has received the Dr. William Bass Award for outstanding achievement in the field of forensic investigation. The award was presented to Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant Faith Cunningham after she completed almost three months of training at the University of Tennessee’s National Forensic Academy.

“I commend Sergeant Cunningham for her commitment and dedication during this intensive training at the University of Tennessee. The recognition speaks well not only for her but the entire Shelby County Sheriff’s Office,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

The University of Tennessee academy known as the “Body Farm” is recognized as one of the top forensic science and crime scene training facilities in the world. Investigators from law enforcement agencies are hand-picked to attend a ten-week training course that looks at various aspects of homicide investigations, especially the study of human remains in various stages of decomposition.

Sergeant Cunningham was one of 18 students in her class. At the end of the course, Sergeant Cunningham was chosen to receive the Dr. William Bass Award by the class facilitators and her fellow students for her attendance, academic achievement, classroom participation and integrity.

The Dr. William Bass Award was named for the forensic scientist who founded the “Body Farm” 30 years ago at the University of Tennessee.

Sergeant Faith Cunningham has been employed with the Sheriff’s Office since 1997, serving as a detective in the General Investigation Bureau for the past year and a half.

Before joining the Sheriff’s Office as a full-time deputy, Sergeant Cunningham volunteered with the department by serving 8 and one half years as a Reserve Deputy.