Academics

Forensic Science Club to showcase major with symposium April 2-3

Students in Penn State's forensic science program learn through hands-on experience, examining crime scenes and conducting investigations that cover interior and exterior locations.  Credit: Penn State Forensic Science ProgramAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Forensic Science Club will hold a Forensic Science Symposium and Chop Shop from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, in 112 Kern Building, and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, in Spruce and Pine cottages.

The symposium is designed for high school students and current Penn State undergraduates who may be considering the forensic science major. Prospective graduate students and members of the general public who are interested in learning more about forensic science and the Penn State forensic science program are also encouraged to attend.

The first day will consist of presentations from professionals in the field of forensic science and criminal justice. Scheduled to speak at the symposium are Henry Lee, one of the world’s most prominent forensic scientists and founder of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven; Robert Shaler, known for supervising the massive DNA-testing effort to identify thousands of victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks and founding director of the Penn State forensic science program; Jenifer Smith, director of the Department of Forensic Sciences, former professor for the Penn State forensic science program, and retired FBI special agent; Leon Bennigsdorf, investigator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department; Frederick Bieber, medical geneticist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and member of the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard University; Rob and Debbie Smith of H-E-A-R-T; and Sharyn Miller, a graduate of the Penn State forensics program. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The Chop Shop will be held the following day, offering a hands-on lab experience using professional techniques while solving a mock murder mystery. Attendees also will be given information about the Penn State forensic science program and the opportunity to tour the lab facilities.

The deadline to register for the Forensic Science Symposium and Chop Shop is March 25. The registration form can be found here. For more information about the event and to register, email forensics.symposium2016@gmail.com.

For additional information about Penn State’s forensic science program, visit http://forensics.psu.edu/.

Last Updated March 21, 2016