Forensic and Investigative Sciences - BS, Pre-Law Emphasis

This program teaches students how to use the life sciences, from DNA to ecology, to analyze crime scene evidence or solve mysteries in industrial, regulatory, or medical settings. The Pre-Law Emphasis operates at the crossroads of science and the legal profession, where strong research skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and critical reading abilities are pivotal.

Forensic and Investigative Sciences (BS - Pre-Law Emphasis) is a major offered by the Department of Entomology. Molecular, organismal, environmental, and ecological sources of information are often analyzed and interpreted in industrial, regulatory, legal, medical and associated professions. Graduates will be competitive for employment opportunities in homeland security and investigative services at local, state and national levels. Graduates will also be well prepared for opportunities to enter post-graduate studies or law school.

Forensic and investigative sciences operate at the crossroads of science and the legal profession and provide opportunities for students to consider pre-law preparation. There are growing demands for attorneys with knowledge and understanding of science and research to address legal issues and cases where the interpretation of science and/or scientific data and analyses are pivotal. Law schools often seek candidates with diverse backgrounds and interests, and they look closely at curricula that emphasize analytical and problem-solving skills, critical reading skills, writing skills, oral communication and listening ability, general research skills, and organizational and management skills. The Forensic and Investigative Sciences program provides students with opportunities to build these essential skills and knowledge areas through a combination of required and elective courses.

Forensic science is a critical element of the criminal justice system. Forensic scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime or absolve an innocent person from suspicion.

The forensic scientist's skill is to use all the information available to determine facts. Issues of law and/or fact that may require forensic science expertise range from questions about the validity of a signature on a will to product liability claims to questions about whether a corporation is complying with environmental laws. The work of the forensic scientist reduces the number of cases entering the overloaded court system by assisting the decision-makers before a case reaches the court. This decision is based on scientific investigation, not circumstantial evidence or the sometimes-unreliable testimony of witnesses.

Many forensic scientists work for universities, police agencies (state, city, and local), federal agencies, and the criminal investigation arms of military forces, as well as their support laboratories. Others work for coroners, medical examiners, hospitals, and district attorneys' offices.

As crime continues to evolve with technology and society, forensic scientists will be challenged to respond by adapting established technologies and, where necessary, developing new ones. These emerging forensic science disciplines will continue to be of vital importance to the courts and to society in general.

For more information visit the BS Forensic and Investigative Sciences website.