Student Performance Data
Enrollment/Graduates Data
| Degree Program: M.S. in Forensic Science |
Academic Year - past 3rd year: 2023-2024 |
Academic Year - past 2nd year: 2024-2025 |
Academic Year - previous year: 2025-2026 |
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# of FT students enrolled in degree program |
26 |
22 |
28 |
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# of students enrolled in each concentration /emphasis/ track (if applicable) |
Chem-Drug/Tox: 8 Chem-Trace: 4 Biology: 13 Phy. Evi. Ana.:1 |
Chem-Drug/Tox: 8 Chem-Trace: 1 Biology: 10 Phy. Evi. Ana.: 3 |
Chem-Drug/Tox: 8 Chem-Trace: 3 Biology: 10 Phy. Evi. Ana.: 7 |
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# of graduates in reported in each year |
26 |
20 |
27 |
Post-Graduation Survey Data (Data reported 6 months after graduation)
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Degree Program: M.S. in Forensic Science |
Academic Year - past 3rd year: 2022-2023 |
Academic Year - past 2nd year: 2023-2024 |
Academic Year - previous year: 2024-2025 |
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# of graduates with job offers |
21 |
21 |
16 |
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# of graduates admitted into advanced degree program |
0 |
1 |
2 |
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# of graduates unreachable / did not respond |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Directed Research (DR) Locations
| Degree Program: M.S. in Forensic Science |
Academic Year - past 3rd year: 2023-2024 |
Academic Year - past 2nd year: 2024-2025 |
Academic Year - previous year: 2025-2026 |
|
# of FT students enrolled in degree program |
26 |
22 |
28 |
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DR performed on-site (i.e., in the VCU Department of Forensic Science) |
20 |
19 |
24 |
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DR performed off-site (i.e., not in the VCU Department of Forensic Science) |
6 |
3 |
4 |
Directed Research/Internship Titles and Research Location Information
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Internship / Research Project/ Capstone Experience Information |
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Academic Year |
Type of Experience (internship, research, or capstone): |
Title or Topic of project / area of study: |
Location (applicable if internship is the ‘type of experience’): |
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Past 3rd year: 2023-2024 |
Research |
Determine of proportion of nucleated epidermal cell within touch DNA samples using flow cytometry and autofluorescence profiling |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Biological signatures for differentiating epidermal cell populations from different body regions |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Creation of a Gunshot Residue (GSR) Databank for the Quantitative Determination of Muzzle-to-Target Distance in Shooting Cases |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Fat and water content effects of three food substrates (ground veal, ground beef, and beef liver) on Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development and mortality |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Development of a simple tooth sample preparation procedure for RapidHIT DNA Processing |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
The effect of oily contaminants on DNA extraction efficiency using DNAIQTM |
VA DFS |
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Research |
Bones as an Alternative Matrix for the Detection of New Synthetic Opioids in Cold Cases: Introducing New Animal Models for Bone:Blood Correlation Studies |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Discrimination of Blue Denim Fibers Utilizing Physical Characteristics, Optical Properties, Fluorescence Microscopy, UV-Vis Microspectrophotometry, and Microchemical Testing |
VA DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
The Validation and Implementation of a Dual Configuration Direct Analysis in Real Time/Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (DART/UHPLC-MS/MS) System for the Analysis of Seized-Drug Submissions |
DEA |
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Research |
Using the microbiome to assess the health status of individuals recovered from the East Marshall St Well |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Direct Impact of Acetone on Spermatozoa When Processing Sexual Assault Evidentiary Items |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Testing and evaluation of Diamond Dye to determine the suitability of epithelial cells found on cartridge cases for DNA analysis. |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Creation of a Gun Shot Residue (GSR) Databank for the Reliable Identification of Ammunition |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Cellular Autofluorescence for the determination of time since deposition of whole blood samples |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The reassociation of remains found in the East Marshall Street Well using insertion/null genotyping and short tandem repeats. |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Development of a Molecular Assay for the Detection of Natural Cannabis in Commercially Available CBD Products |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Assessing INNULs and Loci Count Thresholds in Forensic DNA Profiling: Integration and Impact Evaluation in Familias Software |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Determining Cannabinoid Acetate Analog (Δ 9-THC-O-A, Δ 8-THC-O-A, and CBD-di-O-A) Metabolites Using Brain and Liver Enzymes to Determine the Structure and Rate of Metabolism |
VCU MCV |
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Research |
Development and validation of a method to separate a host of phytocannabinoids and lab created cannabinoids using LC-MS/MS |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Determination of Metabolites for Bucinnazine and its Derivatives Using Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Age and Species Discrimination of Calliphoridae Pupae by Direct Analysis in Real Time with Mass Spectrometry |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Development of a Method for Partial and Complete Collagenase I Digestion of Bos taurus Bone Samples |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Detection and Quantitation of Ethanol via Biomarkers: EtG, EtS, HIAA, HTOL/GTOL, and PEth in Urine, Oral Fluid, and Blood |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Development of an Optimized Solvent Extraction Protocol for the Analysis of Smokeless Powders by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). |
ATF |
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Research |
Evaluation of Charcoal Strip Method Extraction Efficiency Under Varying Conditions of Fire Debris Samples |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
A Microfluidic Device to Separate Biological Components from a Cellular Mixture using Dual-Trap Optical Tweezers |
VCU DFS |
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Past 2nd year: 2024-2025 |
Research |
Accurate Body Weight Class Prediction from miRNA and Gene Expression in Blood and Saliva Samples. |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Qualitative Analysis of Commercial Nitrous Oxide Canisters for Residual Solvent and Petroleum Contaminants |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Evaluation of Current Validated Method for Additional THC Analogs and their Metabolites to Achieve Better Resolution of THC-acetates |
DC OCME |
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Research |
Impact of substrates and deposition time on bacteria associated with saliva samples and its implication on a bacterial signature-based body fluid identification method |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Evaluation of Compromised Teeth Using an Optimized Sample Preparation Method and the Applied BiosystemsTM RapidHITTM ID System |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Determination of Ethanol and Phosphatidylethanol (Peth) in Donated Packed red Blood Cells |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Presumptive Identification of Psilocybin and Psilocyn in Neat Standards using Matrix Assisted Ionization in Vacuum (MAIV) and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS) |
VA DFS |
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Research |
Differentiating Touch Epidermal Cells from Blood Cells in Single Source and Mixture Samples using Flow Cytometry |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Development of Novel Signatures for Determination of Cell Types in Blood and Saliva Mixtures |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Reassociation and ancestral determination of juvenile remains in the East Marshall Street Well using mitochondrial DNA and SNP-based analyses |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Analysis of FDA-Authorized and Unregulated E-Liquids |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Qualitative Method Validation of the Novel Designer Benzodiazepine Drugs 4-Chloro-Deschloroalprazolam, Deschloroetizolam, Desalkylgidazepam, and Nifoxipam Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry |
VA DFS |
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Research |
Biodistribution and Method Validation of Xylazine in a Mouse Model Using Liquid-Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
A Comparison of Particulate Collection Methods Using Fluorescent Polyethylene Beads and an Introduction to the Use of a Pulse Lavage for Particulate Evidence Collection |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Evaluation of Semen Extraction Efficiency and Recovery from Reusable Menstrual Underwear |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Advancing Forensic Firearm Analysis: Quantitative Measurement of Pellet Patterns Using Open Source Software |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Assessing the effectiveness of Alternate Light Sources in search for skeletal remains. |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Novel Time-Since-Deposition Signatures for Canine Blood; Implications for Animal Cruelty Investigations |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Reassociation of the Cranial and Mandibles to unmatched Bones to Help in the Identification of Ancestral Remains from The East Marshal Street Well. |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Method Validation: An Enhanced Visualization Technique Using Diamond™ Dye to Maximize the Recovery of Trace DNA from Firearm Surfaces |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Cross-Reactivity in Urine of 53 Cannabinoid Analogs and Metabolites Using a Carboxylic Acid Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Homogenous Enzyme Immunoassay (HEIA) Kit and Immunalysis Synthetic Cannabinoid HEIA Kits |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Further optimization of a simplified protocol for tooth sample preparation for analysis using the Applied Biosystems™ RapidHIT™ ID instrument |
VCU DFS |
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Previous year: 2025-2026 |
Research |
The Development of a Colorimetric Rapid Test for Cannabinoid Detection via 3D Printing Techniques |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Quantitative Determination of Muzzle-to-Target Distance Across Varied and Blood-Stained Fabrics using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Genetic Evidence Trail: Investigating MicroRNA Markers and Their Connection to Body Mass Index |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Development of a Reliable and Faster UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Method for the Quantification of Delta-9-THC and CBD in Plant Material |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
An Enhanced Recovery Methods to Improve DNA Profiling Success from Handled Bullet Casings |
VA VDFS |
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Research |
Quantitative Comparisons of Genomic DNA Yield from Cell Elution Fractions and Retained Swabs from Forensic Biological Sample Types |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Multi-Analytical Characterization and Discrimination of Electrical Tapes Using GC-MS, FTIR, XRD, and Evaluation of Physical and Optical Properties |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Investigating the Wound Ballistics of Marbles: Effects of Distance and Barrel Length on Impact Dynamics |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Differentiation of Cell Populations in Saliva-Skin Mixtures Using Autofluorescence Profiling |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Qualitative Method Validation of Acid/Neutral Drugs Carisoprodol, Meprobamate, and Naproxen Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry |
VA DFS |
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Research |
The Detection of Lead Residue on Skeletonized Remains using Radiographic Imaging and the Sodium Rhodizonate Chemical Tests |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Continued Optimization of a High Resolution Melt-Based Mixture Screening Tool & Evaluation as a Contributor Identification Tool |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Analysis of Microbial Contamination in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Generated Aerosols |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Analysis of Cannabinoid Biomarkers through Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) Detection and Identification |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
The Development of a High-Throughput Enzymatic Method for the Evaluation of CYP3A4 Drug-Drug Interactions using Fluorescence-Based Assays |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Improving DNA analysis from multiple fired cartridge cases by grouping using traditional and automated microscopic class characteristics |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Muzzle-to-Target Distance Determination Based on Lead (Pb) Concentration of Gunshot Residue (GSR) Using ICP-OES |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Evaluation of the Use of Alternate Light Sources in the Search for Burned Skeletal Remains |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Determination of the Aerosolization Efficiency of Nicotine in Solvent E-Liquid Mixtures |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
The Correlation of State-Level Autopsy Laws and Infant Autopsy Rates: A Quality Assessment of the United States Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems |
VA OCME |
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Research |
The Accuracy and Reliability of the Ballistic IQ System |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Labelling Inaccuracy and Contamination in Commercial Cannabis Products: A Chemical and Microbiological Surveillance |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Comparison of Traditional Chemical Gunshot Residue (GSR) Detection and Visual Methods for the Determination of Muzzle-to-Target Distance in Shooting Cases |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Method Optimization of THC and its Derivatives using Dose Capture and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Eukaryotic Community Composition in a Spatial and Temporal Context |
VCU DFS |
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Research |
A Quantitative Analysis of Full and Partial Shotgun Pellet Patterns for Distance Determination Using Open Source Software |
VCU DFS |
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Research/ Internship |
Evaluating the Influence of Direct DNA Deposition on Passive Transfer in Forensic Casework Environments |
VA DFS |
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Research |
Continued development of mixed cell separation using optical trapping on a microfluidic device and evaluation of direct amplification and single cell analysis |
VCU DFS |
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