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An Inside look into Forensic Science

April Zacarias
RWS 1301
11/22/14

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Table of Contents
Introduction.3
Literature/Background3
Procedure/Methodology.3-4
Results Discussion..4-5
Conclusion..5
Appendices6
Appendix A...7-8
Appendix B9-10
Appendix C11
Appendix D. 12-13
Appendix E14

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An inside look to Forensic Science

Introduction
The discipline of forensic science is the study of crime scenes through evidence found within the
crime scene that is used in a court of law which then help solve a case. The discipline of forensic
science is part of the college of science. There is a total of 12,900 forensic science technicians
across the country. (Appendix E)
The reason that I have chosen this discipline is because I myself would like to obtain a better
understanding of the forensic science discipline. I want to pursue a career in the forensic science
field as a forensic science technician and this inquiry can expose valuable information as what
are some qualifications one has to meet to be successful in the field and how on as an individual
can become an insider to the discipline of forensics so one may have a bright future as a forensic
scientist.
Literature Review/Background
The ideas that this project is associated with are the culture of the disciple of forensic science,
how you better become an insider to that certain community. Another idea will be the process
one has to go thru to achieve becoming a forensic scientist. This project fits in with the ideas
because the purpose of the project is to study the certain discipline of forensic science therefore it
is required for me to include those certain ideas. My secondary research questions are the
following, What can a college freshman or sophomore student start doing to better prepare
themselves for their future career, what classes are better to take and what are the expectations
they are required to meet?, How can own start creating ethos for themselves so that once they
are in their career they may be able to move up in the discipline?, What are good qualities to
have as an outsider of the forensic discipline community
That will help become an insider to the community instead? and finally What separates the
discipline of forensic science from other disciplines, why is it important to be an insider to this
community, How is this career helping out a community as a whole?
Procedure/Methodology
The types of data that I have collected are site observations, interviews, document analysis and
surveys. These research methods were good choices because they help gather useful information
from different types of resources from students in the discipline to teachers in the discipline and
helped get a look at the environment of forensic science.
Data collection
Interviews: I interviewed Dr. Bonnie M. Gunn who is the forensic science advisor and head of
the department of chemistry labs. The reason I chose to interview her is that as a Forensic
science advisor she knows what is expected out of your four years in pursuing a forensic science
degree. The interview lasted twenty minutes and was conducted in Dr. Gunns office. Questions
related as to what is expected from a student of the discipline and questions regarding of herself
got interested in forensic science and how she created her ethos in the discipline.(Appendix A
&B)

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Documents: The Documents that were used in my inquiry were informational websites about
forensic science and the Forensic science degree plan. Both documents gave general information
about the discipline for example what classes are required to obtain forensic science degree and
information like the salary of a forensic science technician and jobs available with a forensic
science degree. (Appendix D&E)
Site Observations: The locations that I chose to conduct my site observations were located in the
physical science building since that is where the chemistry labs that you are required to take are
located. One of my site observations was conducted in the chemistry observing Dr. Gunn teach
the chemistry lab. My other site observation was conducted in the physical science building as
well. But this time on the third floor where there is couches and chemistry students go hang out
in between their classes. The people in my site observation were mostly students.
Results/Discussion
Interviews: Interviewing Dr. Bonnie M. Gunn gave me a better understanding of what
qualifications are required when wanting to obtain a forensic science degree. A strong
background in science and math are essential in this discipline as well as a background in
statistics. The best way to build ones ethos in the discipline is to obtain a strong background in
chemistry and math. So as a student of the discipline it is best to enroll in many math, statistics
and chemistry courses. The chemistry and the math are usually the eliminating factors for the
ones pursuing a degree in forensic science. When pursuing this degree you are not only
representing yourself but the laboratory and institution you work for as well. That is why it is
extremely important to be precise and accurate as possible in what you do whether its examining
evidence or representing your findings in a court of law. (Appendix A&B)
Documents: In analyzing the forensic science degree plan I realized how many math and science
classes you are required to take. Including biology, chemistry, microbiology, calculus and
statistics. So as college freshman or sophomore it is in your best interest to start taking the
classes as soon as possible. The other document analyses that I conducted which is the forensic
science website informed me of what are good qualities to have as a forensic science technician
and why they are important. Communication skills are important in the forensic science field
because you are often required to write reports and testify in court and because one will often
work with other law enforcement and specialists. Composure is another important quality in the
field because crime scenes are often the results of acts of violence and destruction, but one has to
maintain their professionalism and objectivity. Forensic science technicians are often detail
oriented meaning one must be able to notice small changes in objects to be good at collecting
and analyzing evidence. Once again math and science skills play a big part in being a forensic
science technicians because a solid understanding of statistics and natural sciences are critically
to be able to analyze crime scene evidence. A forensic science technician must a good set of
problem solving skills which are used when conducting scientific tests and methods to help law
enforcement officials solve crimes. (Appendix D&E)
Site observations: When I conducted the site observations in the physical science building I
conduced in Dr. Gunns chemistry lab I realized how much emphasis is put on making students
follow procedures and safety precautions for example Dr. Gunn and her TA always making sure
that students are wearing their lab coat and goggles and they also make sure that the students are
as precise as possible when conducting the experiments. Which like Dr. Gunn stated in the

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interview It would be great if you could take more chemistry classes, because chemistry classes
teach you how to analyze and how to s up standards and how to develop standard procedures and
follow standard procedures and thats the hardest part generally people in any of the fields when
they come in to the laboratory ninety nine percent of it is you must follow protocol and because
you must follow protocol its important to know to follow the instructions that you are given
following protocol is one of the main things in the inquiry and Dr. Gunns chemistry lab gets the
students ready in hoe to follow procedures and safety regulations.( Appendix A)
Conclusion
My analyses was helpful when it comes to answering my primary and secondary questions. My
interview and document analyses explained what a college freshman or sophomore can start
doing to better prepare themselves for their future career and what classes one should take. My
interview also help the secondary question of how to start creating ones ethos for the discipline.
The document analyses and the information given by Dr.Gunn explained the qualities one should
have when wanting to be successful in the discipline forensic science. My analyses showed how
the discipline forensic science requires a strong background in math and science as how
precision, accuracy and problem solving skills are essential. But it also explained why these
qualities are important and the importance of the career a forensic science technician is a big part
of crime solving and presenting information that help solve crimes in courts.
I understand that my research was limited and could have been improved by conducting more
interviews, taking part in more site observations and expanding the group of people that
participated in my survey. But I believe that individuals anting to pursue a career in forensic
science could benefit from this inquiry because they know what is to be expected and how to
become an insider to the discipline.

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Appendices

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Appendix A

Your Name: April Zacarias

Write your primary research question here.

How can one as an individual become an insider to the discipline of forensics so one may have
a bright future as a forensic scientist?

Write your interview questions

below. Then, check the
secondary research question(s)
for which you believe the
interview question will provide
data.

Interview Questions:

Write a secondary
question here
What can a
college freshman
or sophomore
student start doing
to better prepare
themselves for
their future career,
what classes are
better to take and
what are the
expectations
they are required
to meet?

Write a
secondary
question here
How can own
start creating
ethos for
themselves so
that once they
are in their
career they may
be able to move
up in the
discipline?

Write a
secondary
question here
What are good
qualities to
have as an
outsider of the
forensic
discipline
community that
will help become
an insider to the
community
instead?

What led you to

pursue a career in
forensic science?
0. What qualifications do
you think someone pursuing
this degree should have?

1. What preparation would

you recommend for someone
to advance in this field?
2. What do you find the most
enjoyable about your career?

3. Can you recommend any

courses someone pursuing a
degree in forensic should take?
4. How did you start building
your ethos for this career?

Write a secondary
question here
What separates
the discipline of
forensic science
from other
disciplines, why is
it important to be
an insider to this
community, How
is this career
helping out
a community as a
whole?

X
X
X
X
X

X
X

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5. What do you think
separates this career from the
rest?
6. What has been the most
challenging part of pursuing
your career?
7. If you could start over,
would you change your career
path in any way? Why or why
not?
8. Considering all the people
youve met in your line of
work, what personal attributes
are essential?
9. Any campus organizations
you recommend joining that
have to do with a career in
forensic science?

10. Could you describe one of

your typical workdays for me?

11. Why do you think are

reasons people leave this field?

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

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Appendix B
What led you to pursue a career in forensic science?
I didnt choose a career in forensic science. I went into chemistry and when I went to Mexico
and I had to work for an industrial company, they asked me to work in the forensic science area
so I did
What qualifications do you think someone pursuing this degree should have?
Strong chemistry and strong math because you are going to do a lot of statistics and a lot of lab
analyses no matter what area of forensics you study
What preparation would you recommend for someone to advance in this field?
You need to take several math classes and you need to take several science classes as well and
statistics classes are essential
What do you find the most enjoyable about your career?
The people I like being around people and I like being able and having the chance to learn
something from someone everyday

Can you recommend any courses someone pursuing a degree in forensic science should
take?
It would be great if you could take more chemistry classes, because chemistry classes teach you
how to analyze and how to s up standards and how to develop standard procedures and follow
standard procedures and thats the hardest part generally people in any of the fields when they
come in to the laboratory ninety nine percent of it is you must follow protocol and because you
must follow protocol its important to know to follow the instructions that you are given to the
letter of the law
How did you start building your ethos for this career?
The way I did it was just chemistry courses just lots of chemistry courses I have a strong
background in microbiology and a strong background in chemistry and I am math oriented and I
was asked to lead into a field and so I did. I just fell into the slot
What do you think separates this career from the rest?
The necessity to follow protocol the necessity to set standards and do statistical analyses on
every single thing you do. You cant come up with a new procedure and expect it to be accepted
it has to processed it has to be written up and it has to be checked thousands of times before you
can walk into a laboratory and say this is the procedure we are going to use because it has to be
standard of the law.
What has been the most challenging part about pursuing your career?
Statistics and going to court and having to report what you heard because you have to be very
precise and very careful

If you could start over, would you change your career path in any way? Why or why not?

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I would start earlier and graduate earlier so I could work longer and do a better job in what Im
doing. It took me a while to get into school because I came from a family that did not want me I
education so it took me a while to get there so I didn't start in to college until I was in my late
twentys

Considering all the people youve met in your line of work, what personal attributes are
essential?
Accuracy, precision and even when you talk everything has to be carefully said and carefully
thought about before you say it because you are representing your laboratory and you are
representing lines of evidence so you have to be careful
What do you think are reasons people leave this field?
Science and Math. They can't do the math they cant do the science. Ninety nine percent of the
people who leave this field its not because they are not interested because everybody is
interested in the things we hear about they just cant do the math it is a limiting factor it is the
math.

Appendix D
College of Science

Appendix C

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Updated

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Bachelor of Science Degree Plan

NCM: 9-18-14

FORENSIC SCIENCE - CHEMISTRY TRACK - PROPOSED

Minimum Requirements (120/37)
This curriculum meets the standards of the American Academy of Forensic Science. Students must have and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 to
delcare and maintain this major.
Name

Address

Date

Major: Forensic Science

Director: Dr. Nancy Marcus

Forensic Chemistry Advisor: Dr. Bonnie Gunn

Forensic Biology Advisor: Dr. Roshanak Jafari

Minimum Requirement: A GPA of at least 2.5 in all STEM courses and overall.

REQUIREMENTS
Items
A

Subjects

Has

Needs

General Education

Items

Subjects

Has

Needs

C Specialized Science Courses (15/08)

(Minimum "C" grades required)

Choose at least 12 semester hours from the
1

Communication:

12

the following menu (at least 8 in upper

COMM 1611, ESOL 1311, ESOL 1312,

division courses)

RWS 1301, RWS 1302, RWS 1601

CHEM 3330, CHEM 3332, CHEM 3310,

CHEM 3351, CHEM 3352, CHEM 4211-4212,

Mathematics

CHEM 4365, BIOL 3351, BIOL 3320,

MATH 1411

BIOL 3414 or BIOL 3314-3115,

MATH 1312

MICR 2340-2141

Life and Physical Sciences **

Note: Students pursuing a track in forensic

3

biology/DNA, at least 9 of the 12 hours

Biology Track

should be in biochemistry, genetics, and

PHYS 2320-2120 and PHYS 2321-2121

molecular biology.
For Forensic Chemistry Track, MATH 2313
is required.

Language, Philosophy, & Culture **

PHIL 2306

D Forensic Science Courses (15/15)

3

CRIJ 4300
Chemistry Track
At least 9 upper divison hours chosen from
BIOL 3357, FORS 3370, any forensic biology

Creative Arts **
ART 1300 or FILM 1390

or forensic chemistry courses that contain a

3

lab component. Forensic science internships

or independent study/research may be used to
fulfill up to 6 hours of this requirement.

3
9

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American History
HIST 1301

HIST 1302

3
E Forensic Chemistry Track

Government/Political Science

18

Upper Division Chemistry or Biochemistry

POLS 2310

Courses not taken to satisfy any of the

POLS 2311

above requirements in Sections A, B, C, or D.

Select these courses with your forensic

Social and Behavioral Sciences **

PSYC 1301

science advisor.
3

Component Area Option

BUSN 1301, COMM 1301, COMM 1302,

CS 1310, CS 1320, SCI 1301, UNIV 1301

B

Natural Science Forensic Core

STAT 2480

BIOL 1305-1107, BIOL 1306-1108

CHEM 1305-1105, CHEM 1306-1106

Chemistry Track
CHEM 2321-2221, CHEM 2322-2222

Note: No course may be counted twice.

COMMENTS:

10

F Electives

TOTAL HOURS
Dr. Nancy Marcus, Associate Dean, College of Science

This degree plan is just a sample. Your individualized degree plan may differ.

Appendix E

120

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