Vision Statement
The Forensic Science Program at Eastern Kentucky University will inspire students to shape the future of the field using knowledge, skills, understanding and integrity.
Mission Statement
The mission of the forensic science program at Eastern Kentucky University is to provide a comprehensive science-based undergraduate education that enables students to become leaders in the forensic science community.
Upon successful completion of the B.S. Forensic degree, students will:
A
Students will demonstrate competency in scientific knowledge and laboratory skills that relate to forensic science practice.
Objectives
Given a specific type of evidentiary material, students will demonstrate the ability to:
- Recognize, collect, package and store evidence commonly found at a crime scenes.
- Design an appropriate analytical scheme, which meets the analytical requirements, to obtain desired results.
- Properly prepare and analyze the material to generate relevant data supported with proper quality control samples.
- Evaluate data and make judgments about analytical results.
B
Students will be able to communicate complex technical information in expert witness and testimony.
Objectives
Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to transmit complex technical information in a clear and concise manner. Specifically, students will:
- Create a well-organized and properly documented case file.
- Properly communicate results and conclusions to law enforcement, scientific peers and the legal system.
- Effectively present, defend and justify results and conclusions orally and in writing.
C
Students will demonstrate the attitudes, ethics, and values necessary for a career in forensic science.
Objectives
Upon the successful completion of the B.S. Forensic Science degree students will demonstrate the attitudes, ethics and values that enable students to reach the highest level of achievement and personal growth. Specifically, students will:
- Demonstrate honesty, reliability, punctuality, motivation, work ethic, and interpersonal skills that are the hallmarks of a professional scientist.
- Exhibit the ethical behavior, learning skills and initiative needed for life-long learning.
History
The program was started in 1974 in the College of Justice and Safety. At that time, the program had one main emphasis, forensic chemistry. Since this requires a strong science base and utilization of microscopes and instrumentation, in 1985, the program moved to the Department of Chemistry. The move to chemistry has been a positive for the program. Having a physical presence in a science department, gave the program a strong science basis and has also allowed sharing of instrumentation and other resources. With the development of DNA testing in the 1990’s, the program added a second option, forensic biology.
In 2003, the program gained accreditation by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). The move to the New Science Building in 2011 has also been a positive. Improved laboratory and classroom spaces specifically designed for forensic courses, again set the EKU forensic program apart from those offered by other universities.
We have made it our mission to continually review and advance our program, guaranteeing that it stays in-line with current trends and methodologies of the industry. We employ a mix of academic and forensic practitioners which prepares students for successful employment. Our internship initiative, sourcing industrial placements for students within science-related organizations, is designed to maximize their ‘recruiting’ potential to prospective companies. In addition, we offer a capstone experience where senior students apply skills garnered throughout the program. Students process a ‘mock’ crime scene, from evidence collection to expert witness testimony. Our newly renovated crime scene house provides the perfect location to stage real- to-life scenes that brings together the student’s knowledge in an imaginative, exciting and challenging way.