The UAB Master of Science in Forensic Science program is one of fewer than 30 Master of Science in Forensic Science programs in the U.S. accredited by FEPAC, the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. Our program prepares students for careers in various forensic science and conventional analytical laboratories, emphasizing the application of scientific methods and technologies to legal proceedings. It may also be used to build a strong foundation for doctoral and professional studies and offers the opportunity for students to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Computer Forensics that involves additional, elective coursework.
Congratulations to the classes of 2024-2026. During this time 28 students completed the program. Of these, 21 (75%) are known to be working in a laboratory. Thirteen of the graduates are employed in municipal or state forensic science laboratories, one in a private forensic laboratory, four are employed in commercial laboratories, and three are in PhD programs. Of the remaining graduates, 7 did not respond to the post-graduate survey. The students in the graduating classes of 2024-26 also participated in internships at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the UAB Core Toxicology Laboratory.
According to the National Institute of Justice, students wishing to pursue a career in forensic science should be aware that positions in these fields usually require extensive background checks similar to those required for law enforcement personnel and are likely a condition of employment.
Research Papers
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2026
- Menstrual Blood Identification Utilizing a miRNA markers
- Technique For Enhancing The Capturing of Sperm Cells From Cotton Swabs Used In Sexual Assault Kits (SAKS)
- Comparative Study of Four Fingerprint Development Methods on Fired and Unfired Cartridge Cases
- Drug Prevalence Trends over the Summers of 2023 and 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama Using GC-MS
- Creating Cost-Effective Quantification and STR Reactions (kits)
- Stability of Fentanyl in Authentic Iliofemoral Blood Samples Collected From Postmortem Cases in Jefferson County, Alabama
- Stability of Fentanyl in Postmortem Vitreous Humor Sample Collected in Jefferson County, Alabama
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2025
- The Reproducibility of Counting Sperm Cells Removed from Cotton, Foam, and Polyester Swabs in a Differential Extraction Process
- Quantitation of Cocaine And Methamphetamine In Municipal Wastewater Using GC-MS
- Optimizing Buffer Solution for Enhanced Extraction of Sperm Cells from Cotton Swab
- Gas Station Drugs: Caffeine and Male Enhancement Supplements Method
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2024
- Analysis of Burned Fabrics Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
- Development of a Direct Application Workflow for UAB’s Custom Three STR Multiplex
- Technique/Chemical Comparisons of Submerged Fingerprints
- Prevalence and Analysis of Xylazine in Postmortem Casework in Jefferson County, Alabama
- Stability of Fentanyl in Toxicology Samples Selected from a Study of Mortality amongst the Homeless Population in Jefferson County
- Comparative Analysis of Cannabinoid Metabolites in Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
- Qualitative Analysis of Pharmaceutical and Illicit Drugs in Wastewater Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Theses
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2026
- Adding 3,4-Methylenedioxy-α-Cyclohexylaminopropiophenone to ADFS’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Identifying Synthetic Cathinones using GC-MS
- Determination of Inconclusive Results In Firearm Analysis Using 3D Virtual Microscopy
- Novel Oral Fluid Drug Screening Device Evaluation
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2025
- An Investigation Into the Effects of Preservatives on ß-Hydroxybutyrate Concentrations Measured by Commercial Ketone Meter and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
- Analysis of Gas Station Drugs Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
- Detection of Tetrahydrozoline in Alcoholic Beverage Residue Related to Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Using GC-MS
- Analysing Post-Mortem Interval by Blood Metabolomics
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2024
- Identfication of the Synthetic Cannabinoids BZO-POXIZID And MDA-19 Using Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry
- The Effect of The Chemical and Physical Properties of Coton on The Retention of Spermatozoa
- Fentanyl Overdoses and Use of Randox MultiSTAT for Investigative Purposes.
The program support includes many UAB faculty members from other departments, personnel from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences' Birmingham laboratory, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office, and local forensic science-related private institutions. In addition, the program maintains a close working relationship with the DNA profiling laboratories of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and hosts the editorial offices of the Forensic Science Review (the only review journal in forensic science). Faculty research and practice focus especially on forensic aspects of drug chemistry and DNA-based identification.
For more information contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Forensic Science, Jason Linville.
