通过准备在法庭上提交的科学工作,在司法系统中发挥关键作用.
The mission of the forensic science program at St. 爱德华大学的目标是培养下一代具有社会意识和科学可靠的法医科学家.
As a 法医科学 major, 你将学习如何从犯罪现场收集和分析证据,以便在法庭案件或刑事司法系统中使用. Become an expert witness in criminal cases, or work in the field as a crime scene or fingerprint technician. Unlike in popular TV shows, crime scenes never have easy answers — but you’ll learn how to approach them in a methodical, detail-oriented way that engages both critical and creative thinking.
You’ll learn crime scene investigation techniques, scientific methods for analyzing the data you collect, and legal and ethical protocols. Get hands-on experience at mock crime scenes, 比如法医学副教授卡西·帕里什-费舍尔在野生盆地创意研究中心用死猪的遗骸建立的, an Austin wilderness preserve managed by St. 爱德华的. Intern with the Austin Police Department, the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office or other law enforcement agencies, and graduate ready to use science to create a more just and safe society.
What do our graduates do?
法医科学 majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. 爱德华的. 这里有一个例子.
- Pursuing careers at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, Austin Police Department, Houston 法医科学 Center, San Antonio Police Department and Round Rock Police Department
- Attending the South Texas College of Law
- Attending graduate school at Sam Houston State University, University of North Texas and University of Central Lancashire
- Attending medical school at the St. 乔治大学医学特许方案和Autónoma瓜达拉哈拉大学医学院
The Thrill of Discovery
本科 research at St. 爱德华的 connects students with professional mentors, encourages them to take on new challenges and helps some find careers they never imagined. 读到 five students, including a 法医科学 major, whose research is finding answers.
The Classroom and Beyond
The 法医科学 program applies scientific concepts to legal matters, bridging the worlds of science and law. Your classes will teach you the skills you’ll use on the job, and you’ll practice them at virtual and in-person simulated crime scenes. 研究 is a critical part of expanding methodologies used in forensic science, 你将有机会进行研究,帮助扩展该领域使用的技术. You also can join student organizations that help you network and give back to the community.
Experiential Education
您的课程由在该领域拥有多年经验的教授授课,并随着法医学的发展紧跟新发展. Each course is designed to give you an immersive, engaging experience that parallels real-life scenarios you’ll encounter in your career. 例如:
In Crime Scene Photography, you will learn the parts of a digital camera, learn to document indoor and outdoor scenes, and practice photographing wounds on faux body parts, creating a portfolio of your work. 您还将使用虚拟现实耳机在虚拟环境中查看照片,以探索在犯罪现场的沉浸式体验.
In Crime Scene Investigations I & II, you’ll assess and document mock crime scenes that simulate common field experiences. You’ll also process simulated evidence with field and laboratory techniques. Some of these mock crime scenes are staged in person, either on the main St. 爱德华的 campus or at the Wild Basin Creative 研究 Center. 为他人, 你将使用虚拟现实耳机或电脑在模拟犯罪现场调查证据——比如发现尸体的酒店房间——点击带有嵌入式照片和案件信息的热点.
In Forensics in the Wild, you’ll explore the distinct challenges for investigating crimes committed outdoors. 你将批判性地分析影响户外犯罪现场的环境因素,并学习在法医植物学中评估样本, soil recovery and analysis, and anthropology.
In Principles and Practices of Science and Law, 您将探索科学界和法律界的思想和实践之间的相互作用. Taking on the persona of an expert witness, you’ll prepare to present a piece of forensic evidence in a mock criminal trial. You’ll also pose as an attorney, calling the “expert” to testify.
出国留学
历史 and 哲学 of Science, a required course for 法医科学 majors, has been taught both on campus and abroad. When taught in London and Edinburgh, 这门课的重点是医学和疾病的历史,以及它如何与犯罪的历史相关联. Students in the course visited sites in London related to scientific and medical history, including the Alexander Fleming Museum, which showcases the laboratory where Fleming discovered penicillin. They also visited the Surgeons’ Hall Museums in Edinburgh, 哪一个有病理解剖标本的收藏和一个带互动解剖台的解剖剧场.
Student Organizations
The Forensic Association Committed to Truth – SEU F.A.C.T. for short – is the student organization dedicated to forensic science and meets biweekly. Members build their networks and learn about careers. F.A.C.T. 还举办有趣的合作活动,让您有机会探索其他基于科学的领域, 比如与美国化学学会分会合作,进行诡异的万圣节主题实验.
圣. 爱德华的 刑事司法 Club is a chapter of the American 刑事司法 Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon. The club meets twice a month to hear guest speakers, go on field trips, offer community service and complete training together.
圣. 爱德华所在的美国化学会的学生附属分会会邀请演讲嘉宾谈论他们的研究, industry jobs and the ins and outs of graduate school. 成员们在ACS西南地区会议上做志愿者,并在海报上展示他们的研究成果, 他们还前往其他大学参加高级仪器研讨会的实践培训. SEU ACS also hosts social and fun events like tie-dyeing lab coats and movie nights.
服务
法医学专业的学生已经为六年级学生的STEM外展项目工作了几年. 圣. 爱德华的 students create crime-scene kits that the younger students use to solve a case. 该项目鼓励中小学生对科学事业产生好奇.
Degree Requirements
Major Requirements: 法医学学士学位需要96-97学时的法医学专业课程, including courses in subjects such as 生物信息学, 化学, 数学 and Physics.
General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.
View and download the full degree plan for the BS in 法医科学 major (PDF). This helpful course map shows the sequence of prerequisites in the department.
研究
你将通过研究潜在的新技术和技巧来推进法医学的发展. 大学生可以测试这些技术是否有足够的前景值得专业实验室投资. Through your research, 您将解决目前在该领域的调查人员面临的挑战,并建立适销对路的技能. Some examples of past projects include:
Developing a novel dual chemical that reveals the presence of blood, 使用二氧化钛和一种基于荧光的化学物质,二氧化钛能使血液变白,并在黑暗的表面上可见, which makes blood stand out even on a marbled or multicolored background.
与一位教授合作,在烧掉的生物样本上测试一种新的快速DNA分析机器, simulating samples from a fire scene. 在需要通过DNA分析确定多名受害者身份的灾难中,这种能力将非常重要.
Comparing two methods for processing DNA profiles on porous surfaces, such as paper and carpet, 使用一种与氨基酸反应的化学增强剂,使指纹或血液等证据更容易被发现.
实习
你将有机会申请实习,在那里你可以运用一些你在体验课上学到的技能. 法医科学 majors have earned highly competitive internships at state and local agencies, 包括:
- Travis County Medical Examiner's Office
- Austin Police Department
- Travis County Sheriff's Office
- Leander Police Department
- El Paso Police Department
- Bexar County Sheriff's Office
我们的教师
Dr. Parish Fisher's research interest involves DNA analysis, specifically direct-amplification and rapid DNA analysis for field use. 她的项目集中在为潜在指纹进行化学和粉末处理后生成DNA图谱, post-chemical enhancement for latent blood impressions, and biological samples which have been exposed to fire.
– Casie Parish Fisher, Assistant Professor of 法医科学 and Director of the 法医科学 Program
法医科学 Minor
对法医领域感兴趣的学生可以辅修法医学,以便在该学科内建立基础知识和经验. 这对那些有兴趣从事法医知识增强其求职者形象的职业的人尤其有帮助.
Required Coursework
- 犯罪学
- Intro to 法医科学
- Crime Scene Investigation I with Lab
- Crime Scene Investigation II with Lab
- Crime Scene Photography
- Professional Practica in 法医科学
Are you a current student? 联系 your advisor for next steps on declaring your major or minor.
Named Among Best 法医科学 项目
The 法医科学 major in the School of 自然科学s at St. 爱德华大学在《365比分网电竞》(College Choice)的法医学学士学位课程中排名前25位. 我们的法医学专业为学生提供了定制实验室或现场重点学位的选择,并为他们担任犯罪现场调查员和犯罪实验室人员做好准备.
SEU给你
在法医学副教授Casie Parish Fisher的犯罪现场调查课程中,虚拟模拟犯罪现场和VR头戴式设备与现场素描和证据处理相结合.