Explore the options that could be open to you after earning your B.S. Forensic Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University!
As a graduate of our program, you will have the knowledge, leadership and communication skills, and the professional connections you need to succeed in today’s highly competitive job market or to continue your studies.
With a degree in forensic science from our program, you may:
- Work as a forensic scientist in a federal, state, or local laboratory
- Work in the private sector as a scientist in a laboratory in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, environmental, medical research or other science-related industries
- Continue your studies in a graduate program in chemistry, biology or forensic science
Program Performance
Enrollment: Number of students enrolled in each concentration.
Graduation Rates: Number of students that have graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.
Completion Rates: Number students that enrolled at EKU and graduated.
Research and Internships
Number of Students Enrolled in Research Projects and Internships
| Academic Year | Independent Studies | Internships |
| AY23 | 4 | 9 |
| AY22 | 4 | 11 |
| AY21 | 5 | 8 |
Research Projects and Internship Locations
| List of Research Projects | Internship Locations |
| Method Optimization for 2D and 3D Impression Evidence Analysis in the FOR 412 Trace Evidence Lab | American Ordnance |
| Molecular Beacons | Food and Drug Administration/ Forensic Chemistry Center (FDA/FCC) |
| Bloodstained Organic matter | Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and Regional Forensic Laboratory |
| Lysis Buffer Comparison | The Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Bloodstained organic matter | Hamilton County Coroner’s office in Blue Ash, OH |
| Application of SEM-EDS to Trace Evidence | The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Louisville Field Office |
| Internal Standard Calibration for the Determination of Blood Alcohol Level using Head-Space GC-FID | KSP Central Lab In Frankfort KY |
| Development of a Procedure Portfolio for the Head-Space GC-FID used for Blood Alcohol Determinations | Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office/ Regional Crime Lab |
| Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office/ Regional Crime Lab | KSP Central |
| Touch DNA – plastic | University of Kentucky |
| Touch DNA – glass | Environment and Energy Cabinet of Kentucky Organic Branch |
| DNA from Assault | Hamilton County Coroner’s Office and Crime Laboratory |
| Touch DNA | Columbus police homicide |
| The shape of arson: correlating collection efficiency of ignitable liquid residues with features of absorbent materials | Hamilton County Coroner’s Office and Crime Lab |
| An Educational Study to Re-design Trace Evidence Labs into a Relay Style Format to Promote Collaborative Efforts among Forensic Science Students | US Customs and Border Protection |
| Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Studies on Some Regioisomeric Aromatase Inhibitors | Energy and Environment Cabinet – Inorganic Branch |
| Opioid Epidemic in Ohio and the Midwest: Literature Review | Covington Police Crime Lab |
| DNA from Assault | Sherwin Williams |
| DNA from Assault | Center for Forensic Science Research and Education |
| Touch DNA | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives |
| Peeling Off the Proof: Using Peel-Away Polymer Technology in the Collection of Ignitable Liquids During Arson Investigations | NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| Implementation of Relay Style Trace Evidence Labs | Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department CSI Lab |
| Literature review on the recent analytical methods used for analyzing Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) | Marathon Petroleum (Catlettsburg Refinery) – Refining Analytical and Development Department |
| Forensic Entomology | Indiana State Police Laboratory |
| DNA from Assault | Imperial Valley Sheriffs Department/ scientific investigation unit (SIU) |
| Architectural Paint Evidence | |
| Extracting Ignitable Liquids From Porous Surfaces | |
| Development and Validation of a Sensitive Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Method for the Determination of Letrozole | |
| DNA from Soil | |
| DNA from Assault | |
| Touch DNA | |
| Extension of the Johnstone’s Triangle for a Trace Evidence Application | |
| Architectural Paint Evidence | |
| The New Ingredient to Arson Investigation, Gelatin | |
| Differentiation of Regioisomeric Precursors of the Designer Drugs 25I-NBOMe and Methoxyphenyl Piperazines using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas | |
| Development and Validation of a Quick and Sensitive LC/MS Method for the Determination of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) used for Doping in Sports | |
| Validation of a Sensitive and Economic HPLC Method for the Determination of some Hormone Metabolic Modulators used for Doping in Sports | |
| Development of a GC-MS Method for the Determination of Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) | |
| Development and Validation of a Sensitive and Economic HPLC Method for the Determination of some Hormone Metabolic Modulators used for Doping in Sports | |
| Device Development | |
| Device Development | |
| Touch DNA |
Alumni Survey
| Graduates that responded | Graduates with job offers | Graduates admitted into an advanced degree program | |
| AY 18 | 16 (3) | 11 | 5 |
| AY 19 | 13 (9) | 11 | 2 |
| AY 20 | 7 (11) | 4 | 1 |
| AY 21 | 12 (17) | 7 | 3 |
| AY 22 | 7 (15) | 7 | 0 |
( ) graduates who were unreachable or did not respond
Alumni Data
Employment AY22: Percentage of graduates that found full time employment within 12 months (n=51)
Work AY22 – The field that graduates found employment (n=49)
Forensic Positions AY22: The field of forensic science graduates have found employment (n=28)
Alumni Success Stories
Having been established since 1974, we have an extensive alumni network. For a historical record, visit our Historical Listings page. Below are the first destinations for our most recent graduates from the EKU Forensic Science Program.
Name: Ruth Speidel
Company: Indianapolis Marion County Forensic Services Agency
Location: Indianapolis, IN
I was asked to collect and analyze local gasoline samples from Indianapolis to continue the Crime Lab’s ignitable liquid database. Through this internship, I was exposed to various methods and principles used in fire debris analysis and became familiar with the operation and theory of the GCMS.
I was able to use the knowledge I have learned in the classroom and apply it to a real-world lab setting. I was also able to make connections with professionals in my intended fields, this internship helped me feel more confident in my career choice.
Name: Jacob Jones
Company: The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education
Location: Willow Grove, PA
We were trained to use and maintenance instruments that are used in the field of Forensic Biology, including thermocyclers, DNA Quantitation instrumentation and Capillary Electrophoresis instrumentation. We also got the opportunity to experience expert testimony.
The internship has benefited me by showing me the step-by-step processes used in the field of forensic biology.
Current Employment of EKU Graduates
| Internship or Paid Position | Location |
| Battelle | Richmond, KY |
| EKU, MS Chemistry | Richmond, KY |
| EKU, MS Chemistry | Richmond, KY |
| EKU, MS Chemistry | Richmond, KY |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation | Quantico, VA |
| Georgia Bureau of Investigation | Decatur, GA |
|
Haartz Corporation
|
Acton, MA |
| Illinois State Police | Joliet, IL |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Central Laboratory | Frankfort, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Northern Laboratory | Cold Springs, KY |
| Kentucky State Police, Southeastern Laboratory | London, KY |
| Louisville, Medical Examiner’s Office | Louisville, KY |
| Madison County Coroner’s Office | Edwardsville, IL |
| Study Abroad | Italy |
You may also wish to review our most recent Forensic Science Alumni Survey (updated annually)