Eastern Kentucky University has one of the oldest forensic science programs in the United States. Students begin with the basics, including understanding the chain of custody with respect to logging and examining evidence in criminal cases; performing analysis on collected evidence; writing detailed reports reflecting analysis results and discoveries and learning the basics of testifying in court cases. Students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average throughout.
Eastern Kentucky University
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
859-622-2908
eku.edu
"Ole Miss" offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry, leading to jobs as forensic technicians, forensic scientists and criminal investigators. Forensic chemistry is an analytical chemistry that works to identify and quantify evidence and substances collected at crime scenes. Students study criminal investigation procedures, maintain coursework in biology and chemistry and participate in a summer internship at a crime laboratory. Students must complete 36 hours in residence and maintain a 2.75 grade point average.
University of Mississippi
322 Coulter Hall
University, MS 38677
662-915-5143
olemiss.edu
Florida International University also serves as home to the International Forensic Research Institute that currently develops leading edge forensics studies, scientific principles and techniques and applies them to law enforcement for the administration of justice. Students studying for a bachelor of science degree in chemistry can apply for the university's accredited certificate program. The program is geared toward chemistry and biology majors, but other natural science majors with a minor in chemistry can also complete the program, as long as they meet prerequisites and other requirements.
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
305-348-2195
fiu.edu
Forensic science careers are not limited to studying crime scene evidence. Students with an accounting bent can study this at West Virginia University (WVU) and become forensic accountants and fraud investigators or opt for the more traditional forensic science degree. WVU offers an 18,000-square foot training laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment and a faculty with years of real-world forensic laboratory experience. WVU also sports a three-house crime scene training complex and an automobile processing center. Three different course tracks are offered for three different career paths: forensic biology for students interested in laboratory and DNA analysis; forensic chemistry toxicity for students desiring crime laboratory careers; and forensic examiner, for the budding crime scene analyst who will work in law enforcement collecting crime scene evidence.
West Virginia University
1600 University Avenue
208 Oglebay Hall
Morgantown, WV 26506-6121
304-293-3169
wvu.edu/