Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

Wichita State University

Basic Program Information

Proposing Institution:  Wichita State University

Title of proposed program:  Forensic Science

Degree to be offered:  Bachelor of Science

Anticipated date of implementation:  Spring 2006

Responsible departments:  Criminal Justice (program administration), Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Anthropology, Psychology

Center for Education Statistics (CIP) code associated with the program:  43.0106

Program Proposal Narrative

Program Need and Student Characteristics

Is the program central to the mission of the institution?

            The proposed program is consistent with Wichita State University’s mission as a metropolitan university.  Addressing the concerns of its urban setting is a key part of Wichita State University’s mission.  One of the most critical of these concerns is public safety.  The proposed program seeks to enhance public safety by developing individuals with high levels of technical competence at detecting crime and identifying perpetrators.  In doing so, the program will attempt to both capitalize on the available resources in the community as well as support them.

What is the student demand for the program?

The application of scientific principles to the detection of criminal behavior and identification has always enjoyed a wide appeal within the general public.  Interest in this field is evidenced by the current popularity of ‘true crime’ and fictionalized stories of forensic investigations in various media outlets.  “Several colleges report long waiting lists for forensic science courses, and dozens of others are developing courses or entire programs in the science of crime fighting.” (CBS News August 18, 2003) 

Demand among current and prospective students is high.  The Criminal Justice department at WSU routinely offers courses related to forensics and scientific investigations.  Without exception these courses reach their capacity very quickly and attrition rates are very low.  Requests to attend a forensic investigations presentation at a recent WSU Sophomore Day event exceeded the requests to attend all the other options, combined. A recent e-mail survey sent to approximately 300 current Criminal Justice majors asked the following question.

We are considering developing a degree in forensic science.  The degree would have a strong science focus that upon graduation would qualify the graduate to work in a wide range of forensic science areas.  We need to determine the level of student interest in such a program.  We are asking all our majors in criminal justice if they would consider majoring in this field if the degree were available.  We would appreciate your e-mailing us back if you have an interest.

Forty-seven current Criminal Justice majors (15.6%) indicated a desire, most a strong desire, to pursue such a degree if it were available.  An informal survey of seventy students currently enrolled in Dr. David McDonald’s Genetics class further substantiates the demand for this program among undergraduate students.  Twenty-four of these seventy students, likely all Biological Sciences majors, indicated an “interest” in pursuing a Bachelor of Sciences in Forensic Sciences degree. Department chairpersons in Chemistry, Biology and Criminal Justice report large numbers of requests for information on forensic science programs and much student interest.

What is the demand for graduates of this program?

Currently there are approximately 8,400 forensic science technicians employed in laboratories throughout the United States.  According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics “Jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to increase about as fast as average” through the year 2012 (p. 8).  Employment demand in related industries (chemical and biotechnology), for which graduates of this program would be eligible candidates, is expected to increase at a faster rate (BJS, 2004).  Courts, judges and juries are becoming increasingly more aware of the value of scientific evidence.  As a result the demand for forensic skills within the criminal investigation and prosecution processes is increasing.  Dillon (1999) predicts that the demand for employment in forensics will “increase as a result of the judicial system’s continuing need for corroborating evidence in prosecutions” (p. 5). 

What are the locational and comparative advantages of this program?

            Currently, it is possible for a Wichita State University  student to develop an interdisciplinary major in Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology, Psychology and Criminal Justice.  This option exists in many other Regents universities throughout the state.  However, there are no Bachelor of Science in Forensic Sciences programs available anywhere within the Regents system in Kansas.  Similar programs (Bachelor of Science in Forensic Sciences) exist at nineteen other universities throughout the nation.  The programs closest to Wichita State University’s service area are at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma and at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri.  Approximately twenty less comprehensive (associates degrees or certificates in forensics) or more narrowly focused (forensic odontology, vocational training programs) programs exist throughout the nation.  Most of these programs are biology, anthropology, or chemistry degrees that require a minor in criminal justice. 

Among the universities offering a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Sciences, four offer a relevant comparison with the proposed program at WSU.  The program at WSU is intended to capitalize on the diversity of academic resources available at the university.  The objective of the program is to produce forensic generalists, rather than narrowly focused specialists.  In accordance with the advice of forensic laboratory managers, the WSU program requires a year long practicum during which students will learn how to operate a comprehensive array of analytical technologies. 

The program at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City draws primarily from chemistry and requires some coursework in biology, physics and law.  Students must opt for one of two tracks – Criminalistics or Toxicology.  Both tracks require a year long practicum.  The programs at Eastern Kentucky University and Virginia Commonwealth University also offer students two options.  In these cases students opt to pursue either a Biological Sciences or Chemistry option.  Neither of these programs requires a practicum.  The program at Baylor University is designed for students who want to go to medical school, graduate school, or work in crime laboratories.  Similar to the proposed program at WSU it does not require students to pursue a particular instructional option.  Unlike the proposed WSU program, Baylor does not require a practicum.   

            There are three principal advantages for locating this program at Wichita State University.  First, the academic resources (teaching, research, facilities, etc.) necessary to support this program are in place and well established.  With the exception of the capstone practicum course, all the courses listed on the attached proposed curriculum are offered routinely at WSU and taught by current and competent faculty.  Second, WSU’s urban setting offers students considerable access to a broad array of practitioners and practical situations that will enrich their classroom experiences.  This provides students an opportunity to experience ‘real world’ situations within the safety of a learning institution.  Furthermore, it provides the university with another avenue of community support and service.  And third, Wichita is home to a regional crime laboratory as well as a branch of the University of Kansas Medical School.  In the past WSU students have benefited greatly from access to practitioners and scholars in these institutions. 

Currently, it is possible for a WSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences or Chemistry to be employed in a crime laboratory.  However, the proposed program has more identity among crime laboratory managers.  An individual with this degree can be assigned to virtually any aspect of forensic investigation and is therefore considered more potentially viable within a typical crime laboratory setting.  In addition, earning this degree suggest a desire on the part of the student to maintain long term employment in the forensic sciences. 

What are the characteristics of the students who will participate in this proposed program?

Successful students in this program should have a strong aptitude in the physical, biological, and chemical sciences.  An ability to understand criminal motivation and apply broad criminological theory is also important for success in this field.  The ability to apply basic investigatory techniques, adhere to evidentiary rules and procedures, and communicate effectively (e.g. courtroom testimony) are essential skills for the forensic scientist. 

Within this field employers are quite reluctant to consider applicants with a history of drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behavior and poor credit histories.  Most employers require polygraph, medical and psychological examinations.

     Consideration for admission to this program requires the completion of 21 credit hours that includes Chemistry 111, Chemistry 112, Biology 210, Biology 211 and grade point average of 3.00.  Admission will be considered by a committee composed of the program coordinator and representatives from each of the five program areas.

Curriculum of the Proposed Program

What is the curriculum of the proposed program?

            The overall academic objective of this program is to prepare students for productive work in crime laboratories as forensic scientists.  Within this broad objective the following skills and knowledge are important.

Chemistry (31 hours)

• A general understanding of chemical stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, gas laws, states of matter, chemical periodicity, thermodynamics, gaseous and ionic equilibria, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, qualitative analysis and theories of bonding.
• A thorough understanding of carbon compounds emphasizing reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, spectrographic analysis, and the structure of principal functional groups.
• Knowledge of how to evaluate data, theory and application of gravimetric analysis and precipitation, neutralization, and oxidation-reduction volumetric analysis.
• A general knowledge of electroanalytical chemistry and optical methods of analysis including the analysis and separation of complex inorganic and organic mixtures.
• An ability to apply basic computer programming to chemical analysis
• A general knowledge of biochemistry including thermodynamics and biological oxidation-reduction reactions, structure, metabolism, synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis, and transfer of genetic information.

Biological Sciences (26 hours)

• The student will gain an increased understanding of the general processes of cellular and molecular biology.  Further, the student will gain some mastery of the laboratory skills needed to conduct modern biological experimentation.
• The student will gain an increased understanding of the biology of the levels of life ranging from organisms through ecosystems.
• The student will gain an increased understanding of the structure and function of the human body systems.
• The student will gain an increased understanding of the structure, function, systematics, ecology, and population dynamics of microorganisms.
• The student will gain an increased understanding of the mechanisms of heredity and variation in plants, animals and prokaryotes.
• The student will gain an increased understanding of the methodology and techniques of DNA manipulation.

Anthropology (9hrs)

• A general introduction to the study and recognition of variability and affiliation in human biology, including an introduction to mechanisms of human variation and comparative (morphological) primate variation in time and space.
• A holistic understanding of how culture and society affects human variation and how this knowledge is applied to identification and biological profile estimation
• A detailed grounding in the understanding and recognition of human skeletal anatomy including the study of human osteology and skeletal biological variability and skeletal profile estimation.
• A comprehensive appreciation and understanding of how to assess, collect, handle, identify, reconstruct, and report/present forensic anthropological remains, including court testimony). 
• Critical assessment of techniques and when and when not to apply them.

Psychology (9 hours)

• A general introduction into the principles and areas of psychology, including the psychology of learning, perceiving, thinking, behavioral development, intelligence,  personality, and abnormalities of behavior.
• An understanding of psychoanalytic, behavioral, trait and other contemporary theories of human personality.
• An introduction into the abnormalities of human behavior that includes an examination of definitions, causes, types, theories, diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior

Criminal Justice (12 hours)

• A general understanding of the criminal justice process and how its component parts interact and/or fail to interact.
• A thorough understanding of the structure of the criminal law, including, but not limited to, how to define various potentially criminal behaviors with the legally required elements of criminal law.
• A comprehensive understanding of how to identify, collect, classify, maintain, and present criminal evidence.  This includes an ability to work with various representatives within the criminal justice process as well as present evidence effectively in court.
• A general knowledge of the various sciences used in forensic science, including toxicology, drug identification, trace evidence, serology, DNA analysis, fingerprint identification, and ballistics.

Practicum (6 hours)

• A demonstrated ability to recognized and recover potential criminal evidence.
• An ability to effectively operate various critical forensic technologies and instruments.

The required course work includes considerable instruction in the Biological Sciences and Chemistry.  Additional course work in Psychology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice will be required.  The actual courses required for the proposed program are outlined in detail on the attached curriculum outline.

            The practical component of the proposed program (6 hours) is key to the future success of graduates.  Industry representatives, consulted in preparation for this proposal, overwhelmingly recommend that graduates of this program be able to operate various technologies and instruments typically located in standard crime labs.  This component will be taught by all five of the departments involved in the degree.  The initial plan is to develop a comprehensive practical exercise (e.g. a mock criminal investigation) that requires students to identify, collect, develop, maintain, and present evidence.  The instruments and technologies necessary for this course are already in place throughout WSU.  Faculty currently employed in the Criminal Justice and Anthropology departments have considerable experience at either conducting of assisting with criminal investigations as former practitioners or coordinating mock crime simulation exercises. 

Program Faculty

What is the quality of the faculty?

            All of the faculty that are necessary for this program are currently employed by Wichita State University and teaching the classes outlined in the attached curriculum outline. Due to increased student demand for these classes as a result of the new degree program, it will be necessary to supplement the chemistry and biology departments with some minimal lecturer funds. By the fourth year, if the program grows as expected, a new  full-time faculty member may be necessary. In addition, all have terminal degrees within their academic specialization.  The core faculty will consist of the following current employees.

Chemistry

• Dennis Burns, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

• J. David McDonald, Ph.D.
• Chris Rogers, Ph.D.
• Donald A. Distler, Ph.D.
• Wendell W. Leavitt, Ph.D.
• Mark A. Schneegurt, Ph.D.

Anthropology

• Peer Moore-Jansen, Ph.D.

Psychology

• Charles Burdsal, Ph.D.

Criminal Justice

• Brian L. Withrow, Ph.D.
• Jackie Williams, JD
• Paul Cromwell, Ph.D.
• Michael Birzer, Ph.D.

Academic Support

What are the academic support services for this program?

            Each of the departments involved in the proposed program currently provides advising services to their students.  It is anticipated that students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Sciences will be advised in the Criminal Justice department.  This department currently has a full time student adviser that can absorb the additional workload this new program will produce.  In addition, Dr. Brian L. Withrow, an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute will be appointed program coordinator.

            The audio-visual and academic computing resources necessary to support the five departments involved are already available and of sufficient quality to support the proposed degree effectively.  No additional resources in this regard are anticipated with respect to the proposed program. 

What new library materials and other forms of academic support are required beyond the normal additions?

            Beyond the normal additions, no additional library acquisitions are anticipated to support the proposed program.

What new supporting staff will be required beyond normal additions?

            No additional support staff will be necessary, beyond the normal additions, to support the proposed program.

Facilities and Equipment

What are the anticipated facilities requirements (existing, renovated or new)?

            The facilities necessary to support the proposed program (e.g. classrooms and laboratories) are currently available within the departments involved in the degree.  No renovation of existing facilities is anticipated. 

What new equipment will be required beyond normal additions?

            The equipment necessary to support the proposed program (e.g. instructional and laboratory equipment) are currently available and in use within the departments involved in the degree.  No additional equipment is anticipated.

Program Review, Assessment and Accreditation

What program review process or evaluation methods will be used to review the program?

            In preparation for this proposal the affected departments consulted industry representatives (crime laboratory managers and administrators) for guidance to determine the skills necessary for graduates to be successful forensic scientists.  Upon approval of the program the involved university departments, collaboratively, will formalize this process and develop an advisory group of industry representatives and experts to assist in the implementation and routine evaluation of the program.  It is anticipated that this advisory group will meet annually to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and advise the university on any proposed administrative and curricular changes. Further, the program will apply for certification by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission of the American Academy of Forensic Science. Granting of accreditation and retaining accreditation will be a measure of program quality.

What student learning outcomes measures will be used to assess the program’s effectiveness?

            Student performance will be evaluated based on the program goals found on pages four and five of this document.  The assessment of these goals will be made using three instruments.  First, prior to graduation all students will be required to pass the pre-certification evaluation offered by American Board of Criminalistics.  This assessment will be made yearly.  Second, as a part of the students’ required senior practicum, students will undergo self-assessment in which they write an essay designed to elicit self-evaluation of the program goals from the students’ perspectives.  Third a survey of employers will be made a two-year intervals and will be conducted by the program coordinator.  Data on the assessment will be aggregated by the program coordinator and will be reviewed by the faculty of the program yearly and decisions will be made at that time concerning any changes needed in response to the results of the assessments. 

What are the institution’s plans regarding program accreditation?

            Academic forensic science programs can be accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) managed by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.  The proposed program meets, and in most cases, exceeds the Commission’s accreditation standards.  Eligibility for FEPAC accreditation requires;

1. The institution offering the program is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and
2. The degree awarded upon successful completion of the program is at least a bachelor’s degree in either forensic science or a natural science with a concentration in forensic science.

Programs seeking accreditation normally must have graduated at least two classes before applying.  While provisional accreditation is possible it is anticipated that the university will not seek accreditation until the third year of the program.   

REFERENCES

‘CSI’ Spurs Forensic Academies (August 18, 2003). CBS News. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on August 18, 2004.  http:www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/18/entertainment/main568982.shtml.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (July 2004). Occupational Outlook Handbook  http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm.

Dillon, Hall (1999). Forensic scientists: A career in the crime lab. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall, 1999. pp. 2-7.

FY 2005-06

Fiscal Summary for Proposed Academic Programs

Institution: Wichita State University                                                                                                                                                                Proposed Program: B.S. in Forensic Science

Revised 4/18/2001

*              Funding transferred from another budget unit within the institution. These funds will be reallocated from the funding of the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute in the School of Community Affairs. The new faculty position, if required, will be funded through the LAS Dean’s office through funds available due to retirements. Additional OOE expenditures will also be funded through reallocation from the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute.

**           Income generated by the program

***         Legislative request to be approved by the Board

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

NEW DEGREE PROPOSALS

Kansas Board of Regents

I.                     Bachelor of Science in Forensic Sciences

II.                   Required courses

·         CJ 191 and Psy 111 will also satisfy the General Education (introductory course in social and behavioral sciences) requirement

·         Anthro 101, Chem 111, Chem 112, and Biol 210 will also satisfy the General Education (introductory course in math and natural sciences) requirement.

·         Psy 324 and 544  will also satisfy the General Education (further studies course in social and behavioral sciences) requirement.

·         Chem 112 and 531 will also satisfy the General Education (further studies course in math and natural sciences) requirement.

† Indicates new course

New Degree Request – Wichita State University