By traditional definition, forensic science, deals with the scientific applications to law. With the endless number of civil and criminal laws regulating our society today, the broad scope of forensic science can be overwhelming to comprehend. The practical application of forensic science deals with those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by law enforcement agencies in the criminal justice system. It is the application of scientific and engineering principles to identify perpetrators, causes, consequences and relationships of criminal activity.

Our focus at Purdue University is the training and research of those areas of forensic science that deal with crime-scene investigation, the collection, processing and interpretation of physical evidence, and the presentation of this evidence pertinent in the criminal justice system.

There is an increasing demand for professionals trained in the discipline and techniques of forensic science; not only in traditional crime investigation but in the spectrum of world terrorism and homeland security. Purdue’s program in forensic science is built on a solid foundation of courses in biological, chemical, and physical sciences, including a series of courses specific to forensic science and criminalistics, computer forensics, forensic entomology, forensic microscopy, environmental and health sciences, law and society, psychology, aviation technology, engineering, and a host of other courses related to forensic science education. Opportunities exist for both undergraduate and graduate training in this exciting and upcoming field of endeavor.