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Forensic Pattern Analysis encompasses a range of academic disciplines that apply the knowledge, techniques, and technology to the investigation of crime and the courts of law, and the curriculum encompasses six departments of academic focus, providing both breadth and depth in education and training.

Students engage with subjects ranging from philosophy to biology and take courses such as introductory and advanced topics in fingerprints, mock trial, forensic entomology, quality control and assurance, writing, and ethics. Traditionally, graduate forensic science programs focus heavily on preparation for students for careers in forensic biology, toxicology, and crime scene investigation. What makes Loyola’s program unique is an emphasis on comparative sciences, especially latent prints.

Program Requirements Beginning Fall 2024

The degree consists of 39-42 graduate credit hours. Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

Required Courses:		30 credits
FO 500	Forensic Studies Seminar Series+	1 cr. (2 cr total)
FO 530	Criminalistics	3 credits
FO 610	Fingerprints	3 credits
FO 630	Biological and Forensic Science Laboratory Quality Control and Assurance	3 credits
FO 650	Forensic Pattern Evidence	3 credits
FO 675	Mock Trial for Forensic Pattern Evidence	3 credits
FO 700	Statistics in Forensic Science	3 credits
FO 710	Advanced Topics and Techniques in Fingerprints	4 credits
FO 790 or FO 791 or FO 792	Forensic Pattern Analysis Internship or Research or  Independent Study*	3 credits
WR 626 or WR 625	Technical Writing or Professional Writing	3 credits

 

Elective Courses: choose three (3) courses from the below list		9-12 credits
FO 584	Forensic Chemistry	3 credits
FO 600	Crime Scene Investigation	4 credits
FO 651	Forensic Entomology w/lab	4 credits
FO 656	Biological Forensics	3 credits
FO 657	Biological Forensics Lab	1 credits
FO 677	Death Investigation	3 credits
FO 685	Intro to Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis	3 credits
FO 690	Topics in Forensic Science#	3 credits
FO 695	Crime Scene & Evidence Photography	3 credits
FO 715	Forensic Anthropology	4 credits
FO 752	Forensic Science Errors & Wrongful Convictions	3 credits
FO 773	Special Topics in Forensic Biology#	3 credits
FO 781	Cold Case Investigation	3 credits
FO 785	Advanced Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis	3 credits
PL 611	Bioethics	3 credits
ST 681	Probability and Statistics	3 credits

+FO 500 A minimum of two seminars are required. 
#FO 690 and FO 773 May be repeated once for credit.
*FO 790 / FO 791 / FO 792 can be fulfilled by an internship, research, or an independent study approved by the graduate program director, and may be repeated for credit, with approval.

Frequently Asked Questions