Applied Forensic Sciences Department
The Applied Forensic Sciences Department now includes both an Undergraduate Bachelor of Sciences Degree program and a Master of Science in Anthropology program, with a primary focus on Forensic and Biological Anthropology. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs focus on presenting state-of-the-art techniques in forensic sciences and forensic biological anthropology in the classroom, while providing a variety of practical, hands-on opportunities both in the field and in the laboratory.
Undergraduate
The development of the undergraduate Applied Forensic Sciences Program represents the first truly multidisciplinary major at Mercyhurst that incorporates the major natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and mathematics in the core curriculum. The program includes three concentrations:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Criminalistics/ Forensic Biology
- Forensic Chemistry & Toxicology
The core curriculum is enhanced by these three specialized concentrations which meet student interests while reflecting the changing face of forensic science.
Graduate
The Master of Science in Anthropology is a two to three year intensive and immersive program that includes three primary tracks:
- Forensic and Biological Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Geoarchaeology
- Archaeological recovery of outdoor crime scenes
- Comprehensive analysis of human skeletal remains in the laboratory
- High end statistical analysis and interpretation of the biological significance of those remains
Graduate courses prepare students for the application of Forensic Anthropology to real life cases. Students play a major role in processing real forensic cases under the direction of department professors Dr. Symes and Dr. Dirkmaat. Graduate students are involved in all phases of the cases—from initial recovery and documentation in the field to processing, photographing and analyzing the remains in the laboratory.