Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, Syracuse University

Graduate Student Success Summary:

The Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University is proud to offer six distinguished master's degree programs:

1. Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) Advanced Track-FEPAC accredited
2. Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) General Track
3. Master of Science in Medicolegal Death Investigation (MSMDI)
4. Master of Science in Biomedical Forensic Science (MSBFS)
5. Master of Science in Digital Forensics (MSDF)
6. Juris Doctorate/Master of Forensic Science (JDMS) - a dual program in collaboration with the law school.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is threefold: to educate and prepare the next generation of highly qualified forensic practitioners, to conduct innovative scientific research supporting emerging forensic science technologies, and to collaborate with practitioners across government, private industry, and academia to promote and advance the fields of forensic science and national security.

Goals:

1. Develop Advanced Scientific Competence: Ensure that students acquire both exceptional theoretical knowledge and practical scientific skills necessary for proficiency in forensic science applications.
2. Foster Ethical Practices: Instill a strong sense of ethical standards and practices in all aspects of forensic science to prepare students for responsible and principled professional conduct.
3. Promote Leadership and Engagement: Cultivate the leadership capabilities of students, encouraging them to become proactive and engaged leaders within the forensic science and national security communities.
4. Encourage Lifelong Learning: Inspire students to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and professional development, staying abreast of the latest advancements and innovations in forensic science.
5. Enhance Research and Collaboration: Facilitate opportunities for students and faculty to engage in cutting-edge research and collaborate with government, private industry, and academic partners to drive advancements in forensic science and national security.

FEPAC Accreditation and Program Highlights:

The Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) Advanced Laboratory Track was accredited in 2019 and is recognized as one of the 20 fully accredited MSFS programs by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). This accreditation ensures adherence to rigorous standards encompassing faculty qualifications, curriculum content, hands-on laboratories, internships, and quality forensic science research.

Graduate Outcomes:

The following data summarizes the post-graduation outcomes for each program over the last five years (2019-2023):

• Overall:
  • Total Graduates: 199
  • Employment/advanced degree enrollment rate: 97%
  • Note: 34 students were uncontactable at the time of data collection, and 6 alumni (3%) reported unemployment at the time of data collection.
• MSFS Advanced Laboratory Track:
  • Total Graduates: 58
  • Employment/advanced degree enrollment Rate: 100% within 6 months
  • Note: 5 students were uncontactable.
• MSFS General Track:
  • Total Graduates: 53
  • Employment/advanced degree enrollment Rate: 94% within 6 months
  • Note: 10 students were uncontactable, and 3 alumni (6%) reported unemployment at the time of data collection.
• MSMDI Track:
  • Total Graduates: 19
  • Employment Rate: 100% within 6 months
  • Note: 4 students were uncontactable.
• MSBFS Track:
  • Total Graduates: 58
  • Employment/advanced degree Enrollment Rate: 95% within 6 months
  • Note: 13 students were uncontactable, and 2 alumni (5%) reported unemployment at the time of data collection.
• JDMS Track:
  • Total Graduates: 11
  • Employment Rate: 92% within 6 months
  • Note: 2 students were uncontactable, and 1 reported unemployment at the time of data collection.
• MSDF Track:
  • Note: Program commencement data is pending.

Collaborative Achievements:

Below are several collaborative achievements which exhibit the success of our students within the forensic science community, both through research projects and internships.

Note: Some internship sites listed below have provided diverse placements for multiple students in the program.

Graduate Internships (2019-present)

Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office (multiple internships)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center

National Student Leadership Conference Intern

Homeland Security Investigations

Naval Criminal Investigative Service

Michigan State Police Laboratories

National Crime Information

New Jersey State Police/ Office of Forensic Science

SSPC Archives

Courage to Caregivers

Rochester Police Department

Stanley Law Offices

San Diego Police Department Crime Laboratory

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Indiana State Police

Metro Nashville Police Department

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety

Weill Cornell Medicine

The Close Relationship and Healthy Living Lab

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE/OPLA)

Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC)

Dewitt Police Department

Jackson County Medical Examiner Office

Onondaga County Center for Forensic Science-Forensic Laboratories

Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

Livingston County Probation Department

Utica Police Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Honors Internship

Hennepin County Crime Lab

New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Gloucester County New Jersey Prosecutor's Office

Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office

United States Attorney's Office

Onondaga County Center for Forensic Science Toxicology Laboratory

Onondaga County 911 Center

Yellow Tulip Project

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center

New Jersey State Police

Graduate Research Projects MSFS Advanced Track (2019-present)

2019

Examining Validity, Reproducibility and Sensitivity of the Quantification of 11-Nor-9-Carboxy-𝚫𝟗-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Urinary Samples via GC-MS with Various Extraction Methods

Quantification of Creatinine in Urine Samples

The Detection of 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Urine using Various Extraction Methods and Investigating its Reproducibility, Sensitivity, and Validity through GC-MS

Spatial Analysis of Global Black Spots: Working Toward the Construction of a Predictive Model

Machine Learning for Compound Classification of Drugs of Abuse

Visualization and Quantification of Epithelial Cells on Ammunition

Kratom: Extraction and Quantitation Methods of Mittragynine in Urine Samples

Single Cell Analysis Using the DEPArrayTM NxT System: Implications for Forensic DNA Mixture Deconvolution

2020

DNA Sequence Analysis in Forensic Science: A case for motif-specific stutter modeling

An initial investigation of secondary transfer and predicting DNA mass

Environmental Effects on the Corrosion Rates of Fired Ammunition Components

Extraction of Mitragynine in Synthetic Urine by Three Solid Phase Extraction Columns

Detection of Carboxy-THC in Oral Fluid by SLE+ and GCMS

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers on Quartz Crystal Microbalance for Viral and Bacterial Detection

Bacterial Spore Differentiation using DEPArray™ NXT Individual Cell Assortment: Proof of Concept

Quantitation of DNA Present on Shotgun Shells

Amplicon Panel Development for Identification of Decomposition Sites

Reinforcement of The Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiner's Theory of Identification through the Analysis of tool faces

2021

Sex-based targeted recovery of cells in a heterogeneous mixture: selective labeling of male and female like-cells using a Y-chromosome specific probe

Testing the Effect Wind Conditions have on the Accuracy of Impact Angles and Point of Origin Determinations in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Attribution database: genomic plant database for forensic attribution

Molecularly imprinted polymer-based biosensors for the detection of viruses

Comparison of mRNA profiles of native Bacillus subtilis versus laboratory grown cultures

Machine learning in forensic toxicology: Classification of chemical compounds

Sleep, Emotion Regulation, and Conduct Problems: A Feasibility and Pilot Study with Adolescents

2022

Sequencing and Classification of Microbial Species for PMI Estimation

DNA Crime Scene Contamination Via Talking and Breathing

Postmortem Changes in Human Teeth: A Simulated Incineration Study of Tooth Exposure to Fire

Sex-Based Targeted Recovery of Cells in a Heterogeneous Mixture: Separating Male and Female Like-Cells

Recommendations for a Best Practices Model to Prevent DNA Contamination via Talking and Breathing at Crime Scenes

An Analytical Approach to Distinguish Human from Faunal Skeletal Remains

A Survey on Forensic Anthropology Education and Work

Differentiation of Positional Isomers of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS)

Study of Untraceable Firearms

Optimizing Separation of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Mixed Samples Through Chemical and Enzymatic Treatments

Novel DEPArrayTM Application for Bacterial Spore Differentiation in Environmental Samples

Parental Mentalization and Discipline Strategy Among Veteran Parents

Determination of the Mechanism of Sex Reversal in Chickens after Soos Treatment

Color Perception and its Ability to Influence Eyewitness Recall

Rapid Identification of Semen using STK™ Sperm Tracker Spray

2023

Recovering Latent Prints from Medical Masks

Whole Genome Amplification of a Single Cell

An Assessment of the Risks of Contamination Associated with the Use and Handling of Gloves During DNA Testing

Differentiation of Bacterial Spores in Environmental Samples Using DEPArray™ Technology

Evaluating Manufacturing Marks and Resizing Die Marks using Lapua 223 Remington and Starline 9mm Cartridges Cases and Small Batch Manufactured Resizing Dies

Increased Accuracy and Precision in the Detection of Human Semen Stains on Clothing Fabrics using the STK™ Sperm Tracker STK Lab

Utilization of Yarrowia Lipolytica for Geographical Attribution

Best Practices: Culturing, Counting, and Extracting Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki as a Microbial Control

Increasing the Precision and Accuracy of the Detection of Semen Stains on Household and Vehicle Fabrics Using STK™ Sperm Tracker Lab

Increasing the Sensitivity of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor with Holographic Gratings

Characterizing Stutter in Single Cells: Towards a Better Understanding of Slipped-Strand Mispairing

Advancements in single cell identification and recovery: separating like-cell and body fluid cell mixtures

An Unsupervised Machine Learning Approach to Differentiating Allelic Signal from Artifactual Signal in Capillary Electrophoresis Analysis of Amplified DNA

2024

Detection of aerosolized nerve agent on shoes

Degradation of Ignitable Liquids by Yarrowia lipolytica

Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) to Analyze Fatty Acids in Fingerprint Residue for the Significant Differences in Ethnicity

Development of HPLC-MS Methodology on the DA Column for Detection of Morphine and other Drugs of Abuse

Comparison of the APCI and ESI ion source for LC-MS detection of Morphine and Xylazine

Development of a Nondestructive Protein Hydrogel to Maximize Collection of Cell-free DNA for Forensic Application

The Transition to Forensic DNA Sequencing Analysis - Optimizing Analytical Thresholds

Whole Genome Amplification from Single Cell Samples

Determination of Time Since Deposition of Saliva Stains on Various Fabrics at Different Temperature Conditions Through qPCR

Determination of Time Since Deposition of Bloodstains in Varying Temperatures Through Colorimetric and Gel Electrophoresis Analysis

Separation of Spores from Complex Matrices for Single Cell Characterization

Graduate Research Projects MSFS General Track, MSBFS

Machine Learning to Determine Latent Fingerprint Age

Effects of Acute Drug Intoxication on the Rate of Indoor Decomposition

Phylogenetic-Based Differential Extraction: A First Step to Leverage Universal DNA Profiles

The Impact of terrorism on Border Security in the EU: case of the Islamic State

Risk & Opportunities in Forensic Science Decision Making

Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning Technologies in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Reanalysis of Literature in Forensic Interpretation of Bloodstains on Fabrics

Optimization of the Forensic Application of DEPArray NxT

CSI effect: Does frequency of watching crime scene shows influence an individual’s portrayal of a crime scene investigator

Psychopathy in Children

Child Death Review Teams: Adding a Disability Studies Professional

DNA Transfer During the Laundry Process

Quality of Secondary Transfer of Latent Prints Between Surfaces Under Various Conditions

Techniques for the Detection of Pyrotechnic Residues in the United States of America

Graduate Employment

Our students have excelled in various collaborative ventures within the forensic science community, including placements at prestigious institutions and organizations such as: