Forensic Science Urges Students to Consider Minors – Chaminade Silversword

A mock crime scene set up in a crime scene house.

Solving mysteries, solving puzzles, and uncovering the truth is what makes shows like “Bodies,” “Unbelievable,” and “NCIS” interesting. At Chaminade, you can learn how to solve mysteries on your own through our forensic science program.

Chaminade designed the Forensic Science minor to be accessible to students of all backgrounds. Many students may think that subjects such as chemistry and mathematics are scary and boring. The Forensic Science minor focuses on the forensic rather than scientific aspects of the program.

“We want more students to be interested in the minor, and in our opinion, it doesn’t matter what the major is,” said Forensic Science Chair David Carter. “…What we’ve done is we’ve created a minor version that eliminates all of that and allows people to focus on learning forensics, which we think every member of the public should know about. . What information can be obtained from fingerprints? Everyone needs to know how their DNA is used and what can be learned from a DNA sample. Part of our goal in forensic science is not about encouraging people to pursue a career in forensic science, but about educating people to create a more informed society.”

Students can enroll in the Forensic Science minor by simply taking seven courses that explore key concepts through engaging instruction and hands-on learning. These courses allow you to gain significant research and laboratory experience. This includes required courses in crime scene investigation, forensic anthropology, and seminars. The department’s mission is to equip students with the skills necessary to advance justice through the application of science and technology.

of Forensic Medicine Major includes instruction in techniques for recognizing, documenting, and analyzing physical evidence, a review of the legal system and ethical guidelines governing forensic medicine, and, most importantly, the practical application of scientific methods in the laboratory. We offer a comprehensive curriculum.

Chaminade has a crime scene house near the outdoor basketball court at the top of campus, dedicated to creating mock scenes for forensic science programs. Students will be divided into her three-person teams and will apply what they have learned in class to investigate a crime scene at a crime scene home. They are allowed to use actual equipment that would be used during an actual crime scene investigation.

The program is comprised of six faculty members and led by three principal professors: Kari Indah, Carlos Gutierrez, and Carter.

“All six of our faculty members have several years of experience doing practical forensics,” Professor Carter said. “Students will receive forensic education from people who spend time in the field, consult on cases, and are forensic scientists who are still teaching at night as part-time staff.”

The Forensic Science major program has many opportunities through internships, allowing students to network and gain employment opportunities. The program includes an internship with the Honolulu Police Department, and students can pursue internships with the Coroner’s Office and the Office of the Investigator. Students can also apply for an internship with her FBI in Kapolei. There are also out-of-state internship opportunities for students who wish to return to their hometown and complete their internship during the summer.

According to Chaminade, 86 percent of the university’s forensic science graduates go on to work in science-related jobs.

“One of my greatest accomplishments so far is receiving my Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Chaminade University in 2022,” said Celine Meciona Perez, a Chaminade graduate and admissions counselor here. wrote in an email. “The Forensic Science program has not only provided me with a wealth of new wisdom and knowledge in this field, but has also allowed me to build confidence in myself as I pursue a career in this field. From my first year in the program By the end of my last year, my hands and mind have been sharpened to the point where I can best implement appropriate responses and procedures for the real-life tasks, responsibilities, and situations I will face in a variety of forensic careers. Although it has been two years since I graduated from this program, I will continue to be grateful for the important lessons I learned from my professors and these courses.”