IRS Citizen Academy returns to Trine
October 10, 2024
Members of the IRS Special (Criminal) Investigations Unit returned to Trine University’s campus on Friday, Sept. 13, with most of them being “arrested.”
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Forensic Science
Bachelor’s
Decipher evidence with a forensic science degree
The tool markings left at the scene of an intrusion; the hair found at the scene of a kidnapping; the bullet casing left at a homicide — all of this evidence can be used to solve a crime. With technology unknown just a few years ago, forensic science has extraordinary powers to produce evidence that wins court cases. With trace evidence, police and forensic scientists can reopen and prove who committed decades-old crimes.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in forensic science program at Trine University prepares you for a career in this exciting field.
The degree: The science of evidence
The Bachelor of Science with a major in forensic science curriculum is grounded in the sciences and prepares you for careers directly related to the analysis of trace evidence left at crime scenes. Coursework includes elements of chemistry and biology, and covers topics such as crime scenes, evidence expert testimony and criminal procedures.
The experience: State-of-the-art laboratory equipment
Faculty provide excellent classroom and laboratory training, which includes use of equipment such as an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, high-pressure liquid chromatography equipment, a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer and two comparison microscopes — a ballistics microscope and a fiber/hair microscope.
The result: Specialty careers or graduate school
The Bachelor of Science with a major in forensic science prepares you for multiple careers as well as graduate school. Graduates of the program have become latent print examiners, arson investigators, DNA specialists and drug chemists. One graduate even studied nuclear forensics.
Undergraduate research
Members of the Class of 2020 were able to complete undergraduate research projects through the Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. See projects by Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry students.
Additional Information
Internships are an integral part of the forensic science curriculum. Internships in the many different areas of forensic science give students the real-life experiences and practical laboratory skills needed for careers in this field.
Emily White, a senior forensic science and chemistry major at Trine University, will be an intern at the Drug Lab for the Indiana State Crime Lab in Indianapolis this summer, the first intern the lab has had in six years. Read the news article.
James Evans (class of 2013) completed an internship sponsored by the Department of Energy at the Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. He participated in research on strengthening forensic fracture matching by use of instrumentation and the effects of corrosive environments on fractured surfaces.
Shandra Clawson (class of 2013) completed an internship at Forensic Fluids Laboratory, an oral fluid testing lab. Their clients include both public and private agencies and they test from 500-700 samples daily. Shandra not only gained a better understanding of laboratory instrumentation, she also learned that teamwork is essential to a successful career.
Karina Stiop (class of 2013), a forensic major interested in pathology, interned at the morgue at Blodgett Hospital. She job shadowed the forensic pathologist at the hospital, Dr. Stephen Cohle. She immersed herself in the experience and completed many tasks assigned to morgue assistants. This experience has reinforced her desire to pursue a career in pathology.
Mona Atar (class of 2011) double majored in forensic science and criminal justice and completed an internship with the Allen County Coroner's Office. While interning, Mona overshadowed death investigators in several homicide cases and an infant death case. She put to use not only her knowledge of forensic biology but her education in crime scene investigation, as well.
In addition, other students have had opportunities to work with LaGrange County Sheriff's Department on studying the differences between the gunshot patterns of a sawed-off shotgun and regular firearms, with the Allen County Coroner's Office assisting the crime scene unit investigate suspicious deaths, and with Kodiak Enterprises performing arson investigations.
Another student developed a cheiloscopy study to define the uniqueness of lip patterns in all humans. This project was done with the assistance of an expert from the Indiana State Police Crime Lab.
For additional information on cooperative education or internships, contact the Career Services office by calling 260.665.4124, careerservices@trine.edu, or visit the Trine Career Services web site.
Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Science Career Possibilities:
- Crime/arson scene investigator
- Lab technician
- Law enforcement official
- Business
- Law School
Find out more about forensic science training and careers from the Midwest Forensics Association.
Program Information
Degree
BS in Forensic Science
Program Feature
Lifetime Guarantee
Duration
120 hours
Level
Undergraduate
Campus Location
Angola, IN
School/College
Careers in Forensic Science
I’ve been interested in studying abroad for a couple of years now, and finding an opportunity to do so while fulfilling my internship requirements for graduation seemed like a fantastic idea.
Thanks to Samuel Drerup, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, two Trine students had the pleasure of interning in Steuben County this past summer monitoring water quality. Area unsolved cases are getting new sets of eyes.
Forensic Science News
All Forensic Science Articles
Summer interns make waves in Steuben County water quality monitoring
October 4, 2024 2/3 
Trine students to assist FWPD with cold cases
September 5, 2024 3/3