The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University will offer a new certificate program in Forensic Sciences beginning in the 2000-2001 fall semester.

Forensic sciences generally refers to the collection of criminal evidence, laboratory testing and presentation at trial.

The certificate program, although available to any interested student, will be geared toward those with a declared major in either criminal justice or a physical or life science.

Students who obtain a certificate in forensic sciences have two career options after graduation, according to Dr. Richard Seiter, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

Seiter described the career possibilities for students who pursue the field of forensic sciences.

“Students can work as scientists in criminal laboratories, testing criminal evidence,” Seiter said. “Or, they can work as criminal investigators or evidence technicians who collect evidence and deliver it to crime labs.”

To receive a certificate in forensic sciences, students must apply no sooner than the beginning of their sophomore year and be accepted into the certificate program.

Acceptance into the program is determined by the student’s previous academic performance, as well as a written statement of his or her interest in the field of forensic sciences.

Fifteen to 20 students will be admitted into the certificate program per year.

The program will require either 21 or 22 hours, depending on the student’s prior major and the number of science courses the student has already taken.

For students considering careers as criminal investigators or evidence technicians, the program includes the following courses:

 forensic biology,

 chemistry and crime,

 criminal law and procedure,

 forensic science,

 criminal evidence, and

 two 140-hour practicums.

For students who want to pursue a career as laboratory scientists, the certificate provides courses in the following:

 criminal justice system,

 law and society,

 criminal law and procedure,

 forensic science,

 criminal evidence, and

 two 140-hour practicums.

“The practicums involve students working in a crime lab or other police agency or homicide department,” Seiter said.

For those interested, an informational meeting about the new Forensic Sciences certificate program will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held in Lecture Hall 2 in the underground lecture hall area in Koenig Plaza.