Published Quarterly by Lifeloom.com	"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Sir Walter Scott	Winter 2005 Volume II issue 3
W M M New Issue		W M M Archives

             You've seen the television shows—Crime Scene—you name the city. There is always a team picking up samples at the scene of a crime. There are scientists in lab coats looking at drug samples and DNA through microscopes, and experts giving testimony in courtrooms.

             So who are these people, and how did they get their credentials anyway? They aren't doctors, nurses, or EMTs…The answer is they are forensic scientists, and they go to colleges like the University of Florida to get advanced education in the field of forensic science.

             Students like Terry Gallegos, a crime lab coordinator for the Tucson Police Department Crime Lab, and Mike Byrnes, a special agent with the FBI, convened this summer in Florida to take final exams as their last step toward earning a master's degree from the University of Florida 's distance learning forensics degree program.

             The more than 20 students of forensic toxicology completed their coursework online so they could work full time while updating their credentials at home.

             “This program allowed the most flexibility,” said Gallegos, who received her master's degree and a certificate in forensic toxicology. “The degree will augment my credentials in court, and it will also help with new methods and programs that may be brought into the lab.”

             The UF distance learning program offers master's degrees or certificates in three areas. The forensic DNA and serology, and drug chemistry degrees are awarded through the College of Pharmacy. The forensic toxicology degree is awarded through the College of Veterinary Medicine.

             A program that is available in all areas of the country may be especially important for rural area law enforcement that struggles to keep staff updated with new technology and crime scene techniques.

             Byrnes, who lives in Pennsylvania and participates on the Bureau's crime scene/forensic team Evidence Response Team, is currently pursuing a master's in drug chemistry as well as a certificate in DNA and Serology.

            “I find that this scientific training helps me maintain an analytical mindset both toward daily case work and crime scene analysis,” Byrnes said. “I also help teach techniques to other law enforcement agencies and am always interested in presenting the most insightful and up-to-date information available.”

             Interest in UF's distance education forensic science program has increased over the past four years, said Ian Tebbett, Ph.D., a college of pharmacy professor and program director. The program started out with a first-year enrollment of 112, and this year course enrollments are expected to exceed 1,000.

            “The program has practically doubled enrollments each year since its inception in 2000,” said Tebbett. “We expect to see continued growth for the foreseeable time.”

             Given the international nature of crime and terrorism, and utilizing the portability of distance learning, Tebbett also has been working to combine educational efforts with universities and agencies outside of the United States.

             “The goal is to make quality educational materials in forensic science available internationally and in multiple languages in an effort to develop an international network of organizations involved in training and education in crime detection and prevention,” Tebbett said.

             UF has joined forces with the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, University of Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology, the Australian Federal Police, Silpakorn University in Bangkok, and Feevale University in Brazil to develop and deliver their programs.

             Students around the world are finding their way to the program's website where they can ask questions about registration, courses, credit transfers—or even sample a free case study tutorial.

             Elena Ceresa, a student from Ireland currently registered for the online Certificate in Forensic Toxicology, said her goal is to work in a forensic lab in Ireland.

            “I chose UF because the program seemed well structured and because of the professionalism shown in dealing with my queries,” she said.         

Copyright 2005 by Linda Homewood and Jessica Orr.

Published Quarterly by Lifeloom.com	"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Sir Walter Scott	Winter 2005 Volume II issue 3
W M M New Issue		W M M Archives