RISE TO GREATER.
BE THERE. FORENSIC SCIENCE
THE DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE
THE DIFFERENCE IS HERE.
The Department of Forensic Science at Sam Houston State University stands as a prominent global leader in forensic science education, research, and training, dedicated to assisting you in achieving your professional aspirations. As one of the first FEPAC-accredited graduate programs in the United States and the first in Texas, it is evident why our graduates advance to successful careers in their selected forensic fields.
shsu.edu/forensicscience
DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INVESTIGATIVE FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Department of Forensic Science offers a fully online, 15 hour certificate program designed to enhance current undergraduate offerings. This certificate comprises five required courses tailored for students seeking careers as crime scene investigators, medical death investigators, criminal investigators, evidence technicians, or law enforcement officers. The certificate can be earned independently or awarded alongside a bachelor’s degree, providing a solid foundation in investigative practices, crime scene documentation, and forensic methodologies.
UNDERGRADUATE MINOR IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Department of Forensic Science offers a flexible minor in forensic science that is geared towards students with diverse backgrounds. The forensic science minor is ideally suited for students who intend to pursue investigative careers within the criminal justice system as well as natural science majors who are interested in more traditional laboratory-based careers in forensic science. The minor can be completed online and covers important topics for mandatory state licensing of forensic analysts and technicians in the State of Texas. Students must complete 18 credit hours of which at least 6 must be 4000 level courses.
PHD FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Doctor of Philosophy is an interdisciplinary science degree that is designed to provide students with the critical thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and discipline-specific knowledge to allow them to advance into leadership positions. This is accomplished by demonstrating the ability to perform independent, original research, the successful completion of multidisciplinary academic coursework, hands-on experience in the laboratory, and collaboration with accredited forensic laboratories, institutes, and partners. The PhD in Forensic Science requires the completion of 86 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students are expected to complete the requirements during approximately five years of full-time study.
Those seeking careers in this field should be aware that background checks similar to those required for law enforcement officers are likely to be a condition of employment. Drug testing, history of drug use, criminal background checks and other factors: such as social media use and content may be considered for employment or internship placements.
MS FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Master of Science degree is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to forensic science. Graduate level topics include forensic biology, forensic toxicology, controlled substances, trace evidence and microscopy, instrumental analysis, crime scene investigation, pattern evidence, law and forensic science, ethics, and quality assurance. These core topics are complemented with advanced discipline-specific coursework and extensive hands-on laboratory instruction in our state-of-the-art scientific facility.
The program requires the completion of 44 graduate semester hours that can be fulfilled in two years of full-time study. In addition to core coursework and specialized electives, students must complete an internship and research project.
shsu.edu/cjprograms
MS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Master of Science in Forensic Science program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and provides a rigorous core curriculum with an integrative approach. This unique and interdisciplinary program was the first of its kind in Texas and allows students the flexibility to tailor their degree to specific needs and goals.
The program maintains strong ties with accredited forensic laboratories in both the private and public sectors. Students will complete an internship in a forensic laboratory, an independent research project, and demonstrate good oral and written skills that will prepare them for future success in both the laboratory and in the courtroom.
PHD PROGRAM
Students enrolled in the MS program may apply for the PhD program during their second year of study. Students who successfully pass a qualifying examination at the conclusion of the second year can transfer all eligible credit hours towards the 86 credit hour requirement for the PhD.
CORE COURSEWORK
YEAR 1
FORS 5445 Forensic Instrumental Analysis
FORS 5360 Pattern and Physical Evidence Concepts
FORS 5117 Controlled Substances
FORS 5440 Forensic Biology
FORS 5435 Trace/Microscopical Analysis
FORS 6446 Forensic Toxicology
SUMMER
FORS 6371 Forensic Science Internship
YEAR 2
FORS 5116 Seminar in Forensic Science
FORS 6014 Forensic Science Research
FORS 5226 Law and Forensic Sciences
FORS 6224 Quality Assurance and Ethical
Conduct in Forensic Science
PHD ONLY
FORS 7331 Research Methods
FORS 7332 Scientific Communications
FORS 7390 Forensic Laboratory Management
shsu.edu/programs/graduate/forensic-science/
PHD IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The PhD in Forensic Science requires the completion of rigorous core coursework, dissertation research, and electives.
In order to advance to candidacy, students must have successfully completed 44 graduate credit hours of coursework and research, submit a portfolio for review, write a formal research proposal, and orally defend the proposal typically by the close of the second year. Once the doctoral program committee determines that the qualifying exam (portfolio, proposal, and oral defense) are satisfactory, the student may enroll in dissertation research.
A minimum of 15 hours of dissertation credits are required, and students must maintain continuous enrollment until they graduate. Students must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation, which is the product of original scholarly research of publishable quality to represent a meaningful contribution of knowledge in the field of forensic science.
Students with an MS in Forensic Science from a FEPAC-accredited institution may be eligible to transfer credit towards the 86 credit-hour requirement for the PhD in Forensic Science. CREDIT TRANSFER
shsu.edu/programs/doctorate/forensic-science/
SPECIALIZED ELECTIVES
FORS 5310 Forensic Molecular Biology
FORS 5333 Forensic Anthropology
FORS 6315 Forensic Population Genetics
FORS 6333 Behavioral Genetics
FORS 6337 Forensic Medicine
FORS 6361 Advanced Forensic DNA
FORS 7315 Advanced DNA Mixture Interpretation
BIOL 5305 Medical/Criminal Entomology
BIOL 5363 Genomics and Bioinformatics
BIOL 5391 Advanced Genetics
FORS 5119 Fire Debris
FORS 6319 Controlled Substance Analysis
FORS 6335 Advanced Forensic Chemistry
FORS 6345 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
FORS 7345 Advanced Mass Spectrometry
FORS 7346 Advanced Forensic Toxicology
FORS 7381 Explosive Analysis and Detection
BIOL 5394 Electron Microscopy
CHEM 5372 Advanced Biochemistry I
CHEM 5373 Drug and Toxin Biochemistry
CHEM 5368 Analytical Spectroscopy
PSYC 5360 Advanced Physiological Psychology
PSYC 5361 Neuropsychopharmacology
FORS 5114 Firearms and Toolmarks
FORS 5118 Questioned Documents
FORS 5362 Techniques for Crime Scene Investigation
FORS 6111 Fundamentals of Research Methods
FORS 6317 Forensic Statistics
FORS 7089 Practicum
FORS 7394 Doctoral Seminar
ACADEMIC INDUSTRIAL
PARTNERSHIPS
ADVANCING FORENSIC SCIENCE
Institutes of higher education play a critical role advancing the standard and practice of forensic science in the United States. As a recognized leader in forensic science education at the graduate-level within one of the oldest and most well-respected criminal justice colleges in the U.S., Sam Houston State University is committed to academic-industrial partnerships that advance the goals of the profession.
Through collaborative, interdisciplinary, and industrially relevant research and training, the Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation (IFRTI) works to broaden scientific awareness and serve as a vehicle for technology transfer and innovation.
Working together, we advance the practice of forensic science through strategic academic-industrial partnerships, industrially relevant research, and the delivery of highly specialized training to the forensic practitioner and stakeholder communities.
SHSU not only values this type of collaboration within its graduate programs but has embraced it for over a decade. Strong ties with the forensic enterprise, accredited laboratories, and the medicolegal community play an important role in education, research and service within the Department of Forensic Science.
Our faculty consist of engaged scholars, many of whom actively participate in forensic reform efforts at the state and national level. Through faculty participation in the OSAC (Organization for Scientific Area Committees) for forensic science and various standards developing organizations (SDOs), our contemporary curriculum exposes students to new and emerging issues so that they are well prepared for the workplace.
The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) facility is a willed-body donor facility, recognized by the Anatomical Board of Texas, accepting human body donations for the purposes of scientific research.
The STAFS Laboratory contains state-of-the-art equipment, including digital imaging, microscopy, a necropsy suite, and a skeletal collection room for students, researchers, and professionals in physical and forensic anthropology. The STAFS Outdoor Research Facility is located within the Center for Biological Field Studies at Sam Houston State University, a 247-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest.
STAFS facilitates and conducts research that benefits the broader forensic and medicolegal communities. In collaboration with law enforcement and forensic practitioners, STAFS simulates forensically relevant scenarios that may be encountered in real-world investigations. These efforts help answer key scientific questions and may provide supporting data through empirical research. Students at SHSU have the opportunity to participate in these research efforts, assist with training, and intern at the facility.
To find out more about the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility, please visit us online at ifrti .org/STAFS/
The mission of the Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation (IFRTI) is to advance the practice of forensic science through strategic academic-industrial partnerships, industrially relevant research, and to deliver highly specialized training to forensic practitioners and stakeholders.
Through interdisciplinary forensic research and training, we hope to broaden scientific awareness and serve as a vehicle for technology transfer and innovation in a way that advances forensic science and the administration of justice locally, nationally, and globally.
To find out more about the Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation, please visit us online at www.ifrti.org
STATE-OF-THE-ART
EQUIPMENT
→ Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS)
→ Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
→ Liquid Chromatography Diode Array Detection (LC-PDA, LC-DAD)
→ Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS)
→ Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
→ Chemical Ionization GC/MS
→ Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) GC/MS
→ Headspace (HS) Flame Ionization Detection (FID) GC/MS
→ Pyrolysis GC/MS
→ Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
→ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
→ Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
→ Portable Raman Spectroscopy
→ UV-ViS Microspectrophotometry (UV-ViS MSP)
→ Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)
→ Glass Refractive Index Measurement (GRIM 3) System
→ Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)
→ Stereomicroscopy
→ Comparison Microscopy
→ Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
→ Digital Microscopy
→ Fluorescence Microscopy
→ Scanning Electron Microscopy – X-Ray Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)
→ DNA Extraction Robots
→ Freezer/Mill Cryogenic Grinders
→ Automated Liquid Handling Platforms
→ DNA Genetic Analyzers
→ Thermal Cyclers
→ Real-Time PCR Thermal Cyclers
→ Bioanalyzer
→ QIAxcel
→ Next Generation DNA Sequencers
POST GRADUATE SUCCESS
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Master of Science in Forensic Science program is to empower students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to prepare them for successful careers in forensic science. This mission is accomplished through academic coursework, hands-on laboratory experience, research, and the completion of an internship in a forensic science laboratory.
Each year graduates from the Department of Forensic Science at Sam Houston State University go on to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in forensic science. Our graduate success speaks for itself.
“During my time in the Forensic Science program at SHSU, I was provided with opportunities that built my confidence and leadership skills, professionally and academically, which has allowed me to be successful in my career. The relationships I built with fellow students and professors has left me with life-long friends and mentors.”
— Lindsay Glicksberg, PhD
Deputy Chief, Forensic Chemistry | Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences
Recipient of the 2017 Emerging Forensic Scientist Award from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, SHSU PhD graduate 2017
EMPLOYMENT IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The interdisciplinary curriculum at SHSU prepares students for a wide variety of forensic science disciplines. Despite the competitive nature of the field, employment and postgraduate success rates have averaged 94% over the past ten years. Our graduate success speaks for itself. Most of our graduates accept employment in DNA, Toxicology, Controlled Substancesa, and Trace Evidence. The majority are employed in the public sector, working in government forensic laboratories at the federal, state, county, or city levels. Since 2006, employer satisfaction surveys have indicated satisfaction rates of 100%.
THE DIFFERENCE IS HERE.
FACULTY & RESEARCH
Our dedicated forensic faculty have terminal degrees in their respective disciplines and real-world experience working in local, state, and federal laboratories and organizations. Our core faculty have experience in forensic biology, controlled substances, forensic toxicology, forensic anthropology, crime scene investigation, pattern evidence, forensic microscopy, trace evidence, quality assurance, crime laboratory management, and more.
Forensic science research at SHSU is highly interdisciplinary in nature and has attracted significant external funding. Our researchers have a wide range of interests with research programs covering a broad range of chemical, biological, and physical forensic sciences: massively parallel sequencing (MPS), mixture interpretation, highly degraded DNA, touch DNA, forensic botany, forensic taphonomy, postmortem forensic toxicology and medicolegal death investigation, behavioral toxicology, novel psychoactive substances (NPS), metabolomics, chemical profiling, chemometrics, informatics, pattern and impression evidence, questioned document examination, trace materials, evidence interpretation, gunshot residue analysis, nanotechnology and sensors, and novel instrumental techniques.
Dr. Sheree Hughes Professor of Forensic Science
→ Chair of the Department of Forensic Science.
→ Director of the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility.
→ PhD in Health Science (Forensic Genetics) at Bond University in Australia.
→ Over 15 years teaching experience in the fields of human anatomy and dissection, forensic biology, and forensic anthropology.
→ Served on state and national forensic science commissions, working groups, and societies.
→ Combines DNA typing and forensic anthropology by investigating highly degraded and challenging biological samples for human identification and forensic intelligence purposes.
Dr. J. Tyler Davidson
Assistant Professor of Forensic Science
→ Graduate Program Director.
→ Joined the Department of Forensic Science as an Assistant Professor in 2020.
→ PhD in Forensic Science from West Virginia University.
→ Recipient of the 2020 Emerging Forensic Scientist Award through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
→ Former Chair of the FLN-TWG subcommittee on Evolving Approaches and Technologies for Seized Drug Analysis.
→ Forensic applications of mass spectrometry to seized drugs, toxicology, and trace evidence.
Dr. Rachel Houston Associate Professor of Forensic Science
→ Online Program Director.
→ PhD in Forensic Science from Sam Houston State University.
→ Expertise in forensic genetics and member of the OSAC Wildlife Forensics Subcommittee.
→ Simultaneously leveraging next-generation sequencing for forensic and intelligence purposes.
→ Method development of genetic panels for non-human species of forensic interest.
→ Assessing front-end processing of evidence and exploring novel sexual assault sample processing techniques.
Dr. Jorn Yu Professor of Forensic Science
→ 15+ years of Forensic Faculty experience.
→ 8+ years of crime scene investigation experience.
→ 40+ peer-reviewed publications.
→ 2 provisional patent applications.
→ 10+ internally and externally funded projects.
→ Certified by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC-CC).
→ Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
→ Member of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) Consensus Body (CB) of the AAFS Academy Standard Board (ASB).
Dr. Britni Skillman Assistant Professor of Forensic Science
→ Board certified as a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (F-BFT).
→ Member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT).
→ Experience in postmortem, driving under the influence, and drug-facilitated crime casework.
→ Research expertise in liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) techniques.
→ Experience with a wide variety of prescription medications, drugs of abuse, and novel psychoactive substances in various biological specimens.
→ Research interests in novel psychoactive substances, synthetic opioids, hallucinogens, and sedative hypnotics.
→ Recipient of the Leo Dal Cortivo Award, 2019.
Dr. Patrick Buzzini
Professor of Forensic Science
→ Professor of Forensic Science with the SHSU Department of Forensic Science since 2015.
→ Graduated with a BS+MS (2001) and PhD (2007) in forensic science from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
→ Research interests span various forensic applications of microscopical and spectroscopic methods as well as problems of trace evidence interpretation.
→ Served as the 2019-2020 Chair of the AAFS Criminalistics Section, is an appointee of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, and is a member of the (Trace) Materials Subcommittee within OSAC.
Dr. Geraldine Monjardez
Assistant Professor of Forensic Science
→ Joined the Department of Forensic Science as an Assistant Professor in 2019.
→ Associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and member of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE) and the Texas Society for Microscopy (TSM).
→ Research is focused on the forensic applications of spectroscopic techniques to the disciplines of trace evidence and seized drugs.
→ Analysis and detection of intact explosives and post blast explosive residues
→ Assessment of the evidential value of trace materials, such as vehicular fluids and paint, for investigative purposes in trace evidence.
→ Development of SERS-active substrates for the field detection of explosives, illicit substances and biological samples. (SERS) substrates for field applications.
→ Evaluation of the detection capabilities of portable instrumentation for explosives and seized drugs.
Eduardo de Campos Assistant Professor of Forensic Science
→ Joined the Department as an Assistant Professor in 2024.
→ PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil), completed a doctoral research internship at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) in PA. Previously served as an assistant professor at Appalachian State University.
→ Research interests mainly focus on the application of analytical techniques and traditional/novel sample preparation methods for the determination of substances of forensic interest in biological and non-biological specimens. Also interested in exploring in vitro and in silica strategies to obtain information on novel psychoactive substances (e.g., metabolism, toxicity).
→ Member of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), American Chemical Society (ACS), Brazilian Society of Forensic Sciences (SBCF) and Brazilian Society of Toxicology (SBTox).
Dr. Tim Kalafut
Associate Professor of Forensic Science
→ Joined the Department of Forensic Science as an Associate Professor in 2020.
→ Forensic DNA scientist at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences (SWIFS) in Dallas, Texas, for three years before joining the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL).
→ Over the course of almost twenty years at USACIL, performed DNA testing on thousands of samples from hundreds of cases and testified as an expert witness at numerous state trials and military courts at Department of Defense nstallations worldwide.
→ Research focuses on immediate casework and testimony needs. Specializes in mixture interpretation, probabilistic genotyping, and evaluating DNA evidence given competing activity level propositions.
Dr. Mayra Eduardoff Assistant Professor of Forensic Science
→ Joined the Department of Forensic Science as an Assistant Professor in 2023.
→ Expertise in conducting human identification processes in large-scale missing persons contexts, employing a comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary forensic methodologies and protocols.
→ Utilizing cutting-edge DNA analysis technologies for human identification, especially from degraded human remains.
→ Proficiency in kinship analysis and large-scale matching techniques, adept at establishing genetic relationships to assist the identification process of missing individuals using extensive database searches.
→ Assessing genetic analysis methods for predicting externally visible characteristics and ancestry.
Abbott Toxicology | Baylor College of Medicine | Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office | Bode Technology | Dallas County Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences Defense Forensic Science Center | Federal Bureau of Investigation
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences | Houston Forensic Science Center
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner – Coroner | National Medical Services Labs
Orchid Cellmark | Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office | Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner | San Diego Police Department Crime Laboratory | San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner | Signature Science | Quest Diagnostics
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory | Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory | Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office | U.S. Army Medical Institute of Chemical Defense | U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency | Virginia Department of Forensic Science | Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory | And more...
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