Program Statistics
Graduation Rate
The graduation rate for the Forensic Science Program each year is calculated based on the ratio of graduates divided by student enrollment in FRSC 340 - Introduction to Forensic Science from two years prior (sophomore cohort). Find more information on the curriculum here.
Example: AY 2019-2020 graduates = 21; Fall FRSC 340 Fall 2017 enrollment = 26
Academic Year | Graduates / FRSC 340 Enrollment | Forensic Science Program Graduation Rate | University Graduation Rate* |
---|---|---|---|
2023-2024 | 31 / 39 | 79.5% | Not yet available |
2022-2023 | 28 / 49 | 57.1% | Not yet available |
2021-2022 | 26 / 43 | 60.4% | Coming soon |
2020-2021 | 18 / 34 | 52.9% | Coming soon |
2019-2020 | 21 / 26 | 80.8% | Coming soon |
*University Student Achievement
Academic Performance
Academic performance is assessed using various metrics. The following table summarizes the metrics of recent graduating classes.
Academic Year | Number of Graduates | Graduate Cumulative GPA | Graduation with Distinction^ | Average years to degree |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023-2024 | 31 | 3.30 | 14 | 3.74 |
2022-2023 | 28 | 3.44 | 15 | 3.81 |
2021-2022 | 26 | 3.28 | 8 | 4.07 |
2020-2021 | 18 | 3.28 | 6 | 3.99 |
2019-2020 | 21 | 3.23 | 5 | 4.02 |
^All levels of distinction included (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude)
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research with Forensic Science faculty by year
- AY 2023-2024: 5
- AY 2022-2023: 4 (all Mulcahy Scholars)
- AY 2021-2022: 5
- AY 2020-2021: 25
- AY 2019-2020: 4 (1 Mulcahy Scholar)
Research topics since Fall 2019
- Drug Chemistry & Toxicology
- Chemical Analysis of Wild Fungi
- Development of Quantitative Method for DMAA
- Analysis of Pyrogallol and Purpurogallin by GC-MS
- Analysis of CBD in Gelatin-Based Products
- New GC-MS Assay for Amphetamine and Methamphetamine
- New GC-MS Assay for MDA and MDMA
- Derivatization of cannabinoid acids
- Analysis of cannabis terpenes via GC-EI-MS
- CE analysis of drugs/Analysis of CBD in edible cannabis products
- Analysis of cannabinoid acids via GC-EI-MS
- Derivatization of Phosphatidylethanol for GC-MS Analysis
- Quantitation of Eugenol and Acetyleugenol in Cloves
- Forensic Biology & DNA
- Fungal Species Cross-Reactivity in Semen Testing
- Emerging DNA Technologies and Ethical Concerns
- Evaluation of Reduced Reaction Volumes for Quantifiler® Duo and Quantifiler® Trio
- Genetic Genealogy in a Forensic Context
- Applications and Implications of Forensic DNA Phenotyping
- Disaster Victim Identification and Forensic DNA Challenges
- Quantifiler® Trio Reduced Reaction Volume and Inhibited Samples
Presentations
Student-involved research presented at local regional, national, and international symposia and conferences: Loyola URES, Loyola Chemistry Undergraduate Research Symposia, Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, MATT, and PEth-Net
Internships
Internships by year
- AY 2023-2024: 19
- AY 2022-2023: 18
- AY 2021-2022: 7
- AY 2020-2021: 0
- AY 2019-2020: 7
Internship Partner Agencies#
- Forensic Science Laboratories (Illinois State Police – Forensic Science Center at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Illinois State Police – Metro East Forensic Science Laboratory, Belleville, IL; Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, St. Paul, MN; Indiana State Police, Indianapolis, IN; Georgia Bureau of Identification, Decatur, GA; Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis, MN; US Department of Justice, various locations; Midwest Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Anoka, MN; Department of Forensic Services, Washington DC)
- Private Forensic / Industrial Laboratories (Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL; INX International, West Chicago, IL; Simple Laboratories, Harwood Heights, IL; Cadre Forensics, Evanston, IL; US Drug Testing Laboratories, Des Plaines, IL; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD)
- Law Enforcement Agencies (Illinois State Police – Division of Criminal Investigations, Macomb, IL; Illinois State Police – Division of Patrol, Elgin, IL; Illinois State Police – Crime Scene Services Command, Rockford, IL; Ballwin Police Department, Ballwin, MO; Elgin Police Department, Elgin, IL; Mundelein Police Department, Mundelein, IL; Illinois State Police – Legal, Springfield, IL; Palatine Police Department, Palatine, IL; McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Woodstock, IL)
- Forensic Science Education Programs (Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence at Iowa State University, Ames, IA; Forensic Mentoring Institute at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, Horsham, PA; Center for Forensic Science Advancement and Application at RTI International, virtual)
- Coroner’s & Medical Examiner’s Offices (Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office; Chicago, IL; Kane County Coroner’s Office; St. Charles, IL; Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office; Spokane, WA)
Intern Projects by Category#
- Trace Chemistry & Microscopy (Degradation of accelerants; validation study of non-pGSR threshold on SEM; analysis of burned and unburned samples using active and passive charcoal extraction procedures; evaluation of black cotton and its resilience)
- Drug Chemistry & Toxicology (Blood preservatives effect on blood alcohol content; compilation of drugs found in suspected DFSA cases; method development of cannabis extractions for the Liquid Chromatography - Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LCQQQ); decision point analysis to differentiate between cannabis and hemp based on THC content; GC-MS user library & training sample creation; confirmation specimen processing for toxicological samples; toxicological specimen accessioning; validation studies of new IR instrument; prescription drug monitoring)
- Pattern Evidence (The effect of weight on outsole impressions; digitizing firearm databases; 1,2-Indanedione validation study; refining Ardrox processing conditions; cyanoacrylate condition optimization; comparison of MRM 10 performance against Ardrox and Rhodamine; Wet Wop latent print processing validation; software development for firearms)
- Biology & DNA (Evaluation of swabbing methods for touch DNA on firearms; sexual assault kit initiative; instrument maintenance)
- Crime Scene & Criminal Investigations (Students assigned to criminal investigation and / or crime scene units of law enforcement agencies have experiences aligned with the daily work required of their supervisors. Duties will vary depending on the day. Examples include: collection and preservation of evidence; field testing evidence for drugs or body fluids; assisting with documentation of crime scenes; observing interviews, courtroom testimony, and sobriety field tests; evidence audits; public service / community engagement events)
- Industrial Forensics (Quantifying and qualifying risks associated with photoinitators in ink; screening and standardization for set-off migration in UV cured inks)
#To maintain confidentiality, not all internship sites, projects or details are listed. Project and agency information 2021 - present.
Post-Graduation Success
A survey was sent in May 2024 to alumni who graduated in AY 2022-2023 (N=28, 18 responses). This survey complies with the updated 2023 FEPAC Standard 3.3.4. Responses are below.
Updated 26 June 2024