“There is a lot of student interest in the phenomenon of applying science and technology to criminal law,” said Peter Gregware, criminal justice department head. “When trying to make legal decisions, there is always some level of uncertainty and people love to have science to help them make that leap.”

Forensic science involves the application of the principles and techniques of scientific analysis to a legal context. Forensic scientists study phenomena such as physical evidence to resolve issues involving criminal investigation, environmental pollution and similar social problems.

The minor, second only to Spanish as a minor, started in February as part of the criminal justice department, but also involves courses from anthropology, biology, chemistry and psychology.

Gregware said television shows and even the news media have glamorized the field of forensic science, but he thinks the interest in the new minor is part of a larger social phenomenon.

“Forensics tie into the desire to foster the social good, especially by using interesting and creative applications,” he said. “Students really want to feel like they are contributing to the social good and this provides them with a concrete and intellectually interesting outlet.”

Chemistry and biology majors are the majority of the 45 students currently minoring in forensic science.

Aravamudan Gopalan, chemistry department head, agreed that people have long been interested in the analysis involved in crime solving.

“Even in Sherlock Holmes’ day, people compared soil samples,” Gopalan said. “There is a fascination with being able to use science to solve real problems.”

Gopalan said this minor will be a valuable asset to all in the criminal justice system. He said scientists learn how to apply their knowledge to real-world applications and criminologists will be helped by understanding what the science means and how to present it.

“This is a hot field, especially after Sept. 11,” said Jacob Wischnewsky, a senior majoring in chemistry and minoring in forensic science. “The government will be hiring a lot of chemists to work in forensic science.”

Wischnewsky is working in chemistry professor Michael Johnson’s lab to gain some basic lab technique experience. He said he has always been interested in forensic science and registered for the minor in February as soon as it became available. He would like to work in arson investigation for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“A chemistry degree fits great with the lab analysis track,” Wischnewsky said.

The four tracks within the minor are laboratory analysis, human forensic analysis, forensic psychology and a general track. Gopalan said his department is working to develop an additional track that focuses specifically on chemical analysis.

“We are trying to aggressively develop a new course on chemical forensic analysis,” Gopalan said. “We wanted to make this minor a melting pot of different majors, but we also want to emphasize that chemistry is fun and we use it every day.”

Photo is available at http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/chem_forensic.jpg.
CUTLINE:  Jacob Wischnewsky, left, a senior majoring in chemistry and minoring in forensic science, injects a test sample into a mass spectrometer, an instrument often used in forensic analysis. Observing him are chemistry professor Michael Johnson, right, and Aravamudan Gopalan, center, chemistry department head. (New Mexico State University photo by Darren Phillips)

Julie M. Hughes
Nov. 6, 2002

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