November 16, 2007

Texas A&M University Offers State's First Forensic and Investigative Sciences Degree

Writer: Edith Chenault, 979-845-2886, echenaul@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Jeff Tomberlin, 979-845-9718, jktomberlin@ag.tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION - The first bachelor's of science degree in forensic and investigative sciences in the state will be offered at Texas A&M University through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

This includes teaching technical skills, problem-solving and the ability to interpret information independently, said Dr. Kevin Heinz, head of the department of entomology.

"Through this new degree program, we are helping our state and nation respond to critical issues, such as an increasing population, an increase in violent crimes and protecting our borders," Heinz said.

Crime scene investigation is only one aspect of the program, said Dr. Jeff Tomberlin, assistant professor of forensic entomology at Texas A&M. The growing population and crime rate in Texas are creating a demand for forensic and investigative sciences skills in food and commerce security, health care, and the fields of medicine, veterinary medicine and law.

Students in this program will be prepared to work "from the courtroom to the board room," he added.

For instance, forensic skills were recently used in tracking the source of E. coli in spinach, Tomberlin said.

Over the next 10 years, it is estimated, at least 10,000 new workers trained in forensic and investigative sciences will be needed in the U.S., Tomberlin said.

Insect forensics has long been a portion of department of entomology studies; however, the new program - while being housed in that department - has expanded.

"Once one moves past our emphasis on insects," Heinz said, "one realizes that entomology is already a multidisciplinary science that has historically used the principles, methods and tools of forensics to solve a wide range of problems."

In September 2007, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provided final approval to the offering of this new undergraduate degree.

Tomberlin - who is one of only 15 American Board of Forensic Entomology certified forensic entomologists in North America - was hired this fall to teach the first class held as part of this program. Three classes will be offered in the spring.

The new degree and program will be officially unveiled at a tailgate party and open house prior to the Texas A&M-University of Texas football game on Nov. 23. It will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon at the Heep Center Atrium on the campus of Texas A&M.

Guests will be able to meet faculty, see a demonstration of some of the curriculum in action at a faux Aggie Crime Scene, and enjoy pre-game refreshments. More information is available from http://forensics.tamu.edu.