Arcadia University Forensic Science Program

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Arcadia University Forensic Science Program One of the most renowned FEPAC accredited master programs in forensic science in the country

At Arcadia University, graduate education in forensic science emphasizes applied research and real-world impact. That de...
10/20/2026

At Arcadia University, graduate education in forensic science emphasizes applied research and real-world impact. That dedication was highlighted on October 8, 2026, in the Pocono Mountains, PA, where second-year MSFS student Samantha Williams received the 2026 Carol De Forest Student Research Grant at the joint Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) and Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS).

The competitive grant commemorates Carol De Forest’s lasting service and mentorship within NEAFS, providing vital support to emerging scientists.

Samantha's thesis project evaluates common-source determination in seized drug samples using complementary mass spectrometry techniques—an analytical approach critical to tracing drug distributions and supporting forensic casework. Conducted in partnership with the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, the research is mentored by committee members Dr. Joshua DeBord (CFSRE), Nicholas Khorozov (CFSRE), and Heather Harris (Arcadia University).

In addition to exploring developments in contemporary drug landscapes during the October meeting, Williams will use the grant funding to advance data collection and analysis over the coming year, with plans to present her findings at the 2027 NEAFS Annual Meeting.

10/5-9, Professor Heather L. Harris and some of our second-year students attended the annual Northeastern Association of...
10/15/2026

10/5-9, Professor Heather L. Harris and some of our second-year students attended the annual Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) meeting, which was held jointly with Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS) this year. This meeting offered an expanded scientific program and opportunities for collaboration across the forensic science community.

Professor Harris serves on the NEAFS staff, represents NEAFS on the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Board of Directors, and is the NEAFS Certification Chairperson. At the NEAFS business meeting, she presented updates on ABC activities and NEAFS membership certifications. She also delivered the ABC’s annual update during the interdisciplinary session.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for students and faculty to reconnect with former Arcadia students, as well as colleagues from public laboratories and The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education.

On Friday, October 9, Arcadia’s Forensic Science Department welcomed current MSFS students, faculty, and alumni to its a...
10/13/2026

On Friday, October 9, Arcadia’s Forensic Science Department welcomed current MSFS students, faculty, and alumni to its annual Welcome Dinner at the historic Grey Towers Castle. Organized by Program Director Dr. Fabio Oldoni and the support from Senior Administrative Assistant Heather Sherman and first-year graduate assistants Jaelyn DaSilva and Isabell Anderson, the evening was an opportunity for first- and second-year students to connect with one another, as well as with Arcadia and CFSRE faculty and scientists and alumni from the program.

MSFS alumni also shared how their experiences in the program helped shape their careers and offered current students advice for navigating the field after graduation. Thank you to our speakers: Amy Stringer (MSFS ’21), Kira Bochard (MSFS ’23), Shayna Kasher (MSFS ’24), Haley Bibey (MSFS ’24, recording), Allison Blocker (MSFS ’25, recording), Mara Dominguez (MSFS ’26), and Jean Poulson (MSFS ’26, recording).

Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening a success!

On Monday, our first-year students welcomed Dr. Kari Midthun from NMS Labs to speak about forensic toxicology, with a sp...
10/08/2026

On Monday, our first-year students welcomed Dr. Kari Midthun from NMS Labs to speak about forensic toxicology, with a special focus on pediatric toxicology.

Dr. Midthun, a board-certified forensic toxicologist and expert in pediatric toxicology, discussed the major differences between adult and pediatric toxicology, including how age and body size can influence an individual’s response to drugs and other substances. She also shared real world case examples from her work, giving the students a valuable insight into the medico-legal death investigation process from the perspective of a practicing forensic toxicologist.

We are grateful to Dr. Midthun for her time, and sharing her expertise and experiences with our students. Thank you for such an insightful and engaging presentation!

Over the past few weeks, our second-year students have been working through the quantitation and amplification steps of ...
10/07/2026

Over the past few weeks, our second-year students have been working through the quantitation and amplification steps of a forensic biology casework workflow in their Advanced Forensic Biology course.

Crime scene evidence often contains only small amounts of DNA, which may be damaged or mixed with DNA from more than one person. Using the Quantifiler™ Trio kit on the QuantStudio™ 5 Real-Time PCR instrument, our students measured how much human DNA each sample contained and checked its quality, including degradation and inhibitors, and how much of the DNA is male versus female. This matters because too little or too much DNA can lead to an incomplete or unclear profile.

Students then used these results to calculate how much DNA to amplify with the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit on the ProFlex thermal cycler. Amplification makes many copies of DNA regions that vary from person to person in order to produce enough material for STR (short tandem repeat) analysis to produce a DNA profile. Wonderful work from our students so far!

Last Monday, our first-year students welcomed their first guest speakers as part of their Professional Seminar course. J...
10/01/2026

Last Monday, our first-year students welcomed their first guest speakers as part of their Professional Seminar course. Julianna Firek and Theresa Pennington from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) spoke with students about their work, the mission of the center, and some of the current research projects their team is pursuing.

The CSAC plays an important role in supporting national security. Its research provides chemical data and risk models that help inform decision-making across multiple levels of government. This work can also contribute to the development of policies and countermeasures addressing chemical threats.

During the presentation, Julianna and Theresa highlighted several research projects that employees and interns have worked on in recent years, as well as projects that are still in development. One of their newest projects explores how different chemical agents may affect the flavor profiles of certain foods and beverages, giving students a unique look at the wide range of applications within chemical security research.

To close the presentation, the speakers answered questions about available internship opportunities and discussed the variety of career paths and positions that students may pursue after completing their studies. We are grateful to Julianna Firek and Theresa Pennington for taking the time to speak with our students and provide insight into the exciting research and career opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security!

Beyond the laboratory bench, being an effective forensic scientist means understanding the legal, societal, and global i...
09/29/2026

Beyond the laboratory bench, being an effective forensic scientist means understanding the legal, societal, and global impact of the substances we analyze. Last week, our second-year students in Advanced Forensic Chemistry stepped outside standard instrumentation workflows to tackle one of the most complex intersections of science and public policy: the War on Drugs.

To prepare for a rigorous discussion, students conducted independent literature reviews across 20 distinct academic sources to examine the issue from every angle. On the demand side, they evaluated the shift from punitive enforcement toward decriminalization and public health models, balancing economic costs and institutional accountability against individual rights. Looking at supply, they investigated international trafficking networks—from historical o***m routes to modern co***ne supply chains—while assessing the ethical and cross-border impacts of foreign drug policies on communities worldwide.

Critical thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives are essential to shaping the future of the field, and we love seeing our second-year students bring such thoughtful, thorough analysis to these vital global questions!

This week, our first-year students had their first of three Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) labs for their Crime Scene...
09/24/2026

This week, our first-year students had their first of three Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) labs for their Crime Scene Analysis lab. Students got hands-on experience creating bloodstain patterns and examining how factors such as angle and height can affect their appearance and measurements. Over the coming weeks, they will continue their analyses using a variety of surfaces, such as tile, wood, cardboard, and more, gaining valuable experience with techniques used in forensic investigations. Good work, everyone! 🔬🩸

Happy National Forensic Science Week from the Arcadia University Forensic Science Program! This week, we celebrate the d...
09/22/2026

Happy National Forensic Science Week from the Arcadia University Forensic Science Program! This week, we celebrate the dedication to science that drives our forensic community. Our program is honored to play a role in shaping the next generation of professionals who will strive to serve the community across the country.

At Arcadia, our Forensic Science students study the core disciplines of Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, and Forensic Toxicology. Whether they are analyzing biological evidence, studying chemical traces, or investigating toxicological patterns, we teach our students to approach every situation with scientific integrity.

Every day we see them mastering complex techniques, collaborating in the lab, and building the skills that will carry them into successful careers in CSI units, forensic laboratories, medical examiner offices, research institutions, and countless other departments.

We are incredibly proud of all that they continue to accomplish. Here’s to our students, our faculty, and the entire forensic science community!

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Glenside, PA
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