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Forensic Science

Welcome to the Forensic Science Degree Program

A forensic science is any science that is conducted for use in the legal system. Our program focuses on two areas of forensic science: Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Biochemistry.

The forensic science degree program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a rigorous curriculum that provides students with a well-rounded education in the natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics. Prospective students should be prepared to successfully complete courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus in addition to the forensic science curriculum if they aim to establish a career in the forensic sciences.

Our curriculum is designed after the recommendations of the National Institute of Justice and the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. We plan to apply for accreditation on 1 March 2012.

Forensic Biochemistry
The Forensic Biochemistry Option is designed for students interested in a laboratory-based career related to genetic analysis and serology. Students will learn basic techniques in biology and biotechnology to be prepared for professional careers in a crime laboratory, research laboratory, or industry laboratory. Graduates from this option have also entered Medical School, Pharmacy School, and Graduate School in a biological science.

Crime Scene Investigation
The Crime Scene Investigation Option prepares students for a career in law enforcement and criminal investigation. This option emphasizes the broad understanding of forensic science as applied to the recognition, acquisition, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of physical evidence. This Option prepares students for a professional career in a Police Department, Sheriff’s Department or State Police Department. Graduates from this Option have also entered Law School and Graduate School in a biological science.

Please review specific curriculum requirements on our Curriculum page.

Please review employment expectations on our Employment page.

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Research Highlighted in Science

The forensic analysis of a 140-year-old mummy from Sicily was recently covered in Science (www.sciencemag.org).

The research, conducted by Karl Reinhard, Sara LeRoy-Toren, Kelsey Kumm and Melissa Lein, shows a remarkably high level of whipworm parasitism in a member of the clergy or upper class. The deceased was honored by being interred in a crypt in the Piraino Cathedral.

Whipworm (Trichuris trichuria) buries its tail into the intestinal wall to feed and then releases eggs into the intestinal tract. The research team estimated that 860 to 7430 whipworms inhabited the intestinal tract of this man. This is the largest whipworm infection observed in the archaeological record. This magnitude of infection might have been related to a weakened immune system resulting from plasmacytoma, a cancer of blood plasma.

Additional work showed that the man consumed ground grapes and grape stems along with milkwort. All of these foods have medicinal properties. Also, the lack of windborne pollen species indicates that death occurred sometime between October and February.

For more information please see Science, Volume 333, Page 403.  

 

 

 

Spotlight on Larry Barksdale

The Winter 2011 issue of The Forensic Examiner includes a Member Spotlight on Sgt. Larry Barksdale. This article focuses on Larry's career and his recent publication with Marty Matisoff, Bloodstains as Evidence: A Field Manual.

The Forensic Examiner is the official peer-reviewed, quarterly journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners. The journal promotes the continued advancement of forensic examination and consultation across the many professional fields of forensic science. 

Larry also serves as a faculty member here at UNL. He teaches several forensic science classes including Crime Scene Investigation and Bloodstains as Evidence.

To read this article, please see The Forensic Examiner, volume 20, number 3, page 80-81.

 

 

 

 

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