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Definition A branch of Forensic Science that applies science to law through the recognition, documentation, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence A Criminalist is a specialist who uses scientific principles to analyze and compare or identify firearms, fingerprints, hairs, fibers, drugs, blood and other physical evidence. A Criminalist may also be trained to conduct crime scene investigation. Most importantly the Criminalist must testify as an expert witness in court. |
Admission Upon admission to The Metropolitan State College of Denver, any student who wishes to major in chemistry with a concentration in Criminalistics, should consult the program director as soon as possible to receive detailed information about program options and to complete the necessary major/minor declaration form. |
| Criminalistics Program Goals Employment in modern crime laboratories requires a degree in Science, preferably Chemistry. The National trend is to require Science degrees for Crime Scene Investigators. The Criminalistics Program endeavors to provide students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, criminalistics specific knowledge and a crucial understanding of Chemical principals. The Program’s primary goal is to prepare majors for careers and/or postgraduate studies in Forensic Sciences and for a lifetime of learning in the field. |
Transfers Transfer students are welcome. If, upon evaluation, chemistry courses taken at an accredited institution of higher education are judged to be comparable to the chemistry program’s course offerings, transfer credit will be awarded. |
| Career Opportunities Opportunities are available with Federal Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Customs, Armed Services Laboratories. In addition to careers directly related to chemistry and criminalistics, chemistry majors find employment opportunities in such diverse fields as medicine, veterinary medicine, chiropractics medicine, osteopathy, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, physical therapy, dentistry, dental hygiene, medical technology engineering, and law. |
Special Requirements Nearly all Criminalistics employment is in government agencies that have special requirements including background checks and polygraph examination. Background checks will include criminal record, driving record, credit history and interviews with people familiar with the applicant. Recent illicit drug use (5 years), felony convictions, drunk driving convictions and co-habitation with drug users and/or felons will disqualify an applicant from most positions. Many government agencies have a maximum age above which they will not hire. |
| Curriculum Prior to 2003 there was no National consensus concerning Forensic Science Program Curricula. This has changed as a result of the work of the Technical Working Group on Forensic Science Education and Training (TWGED) and the establishment of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, which will start accrediting programs in 2004. While students required curricula are controlled by the catalog year of their enrollment it is highly recommended that students take the attached curriculum. Those interested in post-graduate work are advised to take the optional Physical Chemistry and Mathematics courses listed on the curriculum |
For more information, please contact Dr. Charles Tindall at 556-2855 (Science Building 323B).