If you want to learn and study forensic science, IUPUI is the perfect place. We have nationally recognized faculty in forensic chemistry and biology supported by one of the largest medical schools and one of the top law schools in the U.S.

IUPUI is in downtown Indianapolis where the state and local crime labs, courts, state police and other law enforcement agencies are located. We have the most modern, state of the art instrumentation that you can use yourself to learn about how evidence is analyzed. You can perform cutting edge research and do an internship at a real crime laboratory and get credit for all of it. Come to IUPUI and be a part of one of the leading forensic science programs anywhere in the world. The core modules are:

• Investigating Forensic Science
• Concepts of Forensic Science
• Professional Issues in Forensic Science
• Forensic Microscopy
• Forensic Chemistry I and II
• Forensic Biology I and II
• Forensic Science Research
• Forensic Science and the Law
• Forensic Science Capstone
• Special Topics in Forensic Sciences

Forensic science is the application of scientific methods and processes to matters that involve crime or the public. There are many branches of forensic science because almost any science has some applications to public or criminal matters. The Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program combines the best of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics and, along with criminal justice and law, enabling you to solve crimes and settle civil disputes. People who work in forensic science solve scientific puzzles, testify as experts in court and even sometimes help collect evidence at crime scenes. Obviously, an inquisitive nature and a love of puzzles (and solving them!) are essential. Students must be strong in math, science and writing to do well in our forensics program. Forensic science also requires an ability to tolerate situations and scenes of crime and violence that are difficult to understand and accept. Loss of life and suffering are often involved in these cases, so an forensic scientists need to have the ability to maintain perspective when working in terrible situations.

A forensic scientist usually works in a laboratory setting analyzing particular types of evidence, writing reports and testifying in court as an expert witness. In some cases, forensic scientists may attend crime or other incident scenes to help reconstruct the crime or help in the recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence within their specialty. For example, a forensic chemist may be asked to help in the processing of a clandestine drug laboratory. A trace evidence examiner may be asked to collect hairs and fibers and other traces from a homicide scene. Usually the crime scene component of a forensic scientist’s job is a relatively minor part of the duties.

Many forensic scientists work in forensic science (crime) laboratories. In the United States, there are more than 4000 crime laboratories administered by the federal, state, or local governments or private industry. Most crime laboratories employ scientists in the areas of forensic chemistry (drugs, toxicology, trace evidence, explosives, fires, etc.), forensic biology (mainly DNA and body fluids and tissues), and criminalistics (fingerprints, questioned documents, firearms, and toolmarks).

The tool markings left at the scene of an intrusion; the hair found at the scene of a kidnapping; the bullet casing left at a homicide – all of this evidence can be used to solve a crime. With technology unknown just a few years ago, forensic science has extraordinary powers to produce evidence that wins court cases. With trace evidence, police and forensic scientists can reopen and prove who committed decades-old crimes.The curriculum is very rigorous in the sciences and prepares students for careers directly related to the analysis of trace evidence left at crime scenes. The faculty provide excellent classroom and laboratory training, which includes the use of equipment such as an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, high pressure liquid chromatography equipment, a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer, and two comparison microscopes — a ballistics microscope and a fiber/hair microscope.A degree in forensic science prepares you for a variety of careers and graduate school. There are a large number of specialty areas in forensic science. Graduates of the program have become latent print examiners, arson investigators, DNA specialists, and drug chemists. A recent graduate is studying nuclear forensics in graduate school. The core modules are:

•  Natural Science Core Courses
• Specialized Science Courses
• Forensic Science Courses
• Additional Courses

Year after year, the 35 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online degree programs are recognized by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review as among the best of any college in the Midwest. Our programs in engineering, education, business, and science are acclaimed nationally. And our cast metals program was ranked as the best undergraduate cast metals program in the nation by the Foundry Education Foundation.With more than 25,000 alumni getting it done at the highest levels around the world, Trine knows a thing or two about success. Approximately 91 percent of our graduates are either in graduate school or employed in a position related to their major within six months of graduation, with a 95 percent placement rate for our engineering graduates. And last year our education majors achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their state exams.