Student Research

Students walk down corridors of research presentations at GW Research Day

Forensic science students draw on multiple library andlaboratory resources to research their topic of choice and present their findings. Each student is sponsored and directed by one or more faculty committee members. Many of our students go on to present their research at the annual meeting of the American Association of Forensic Sciences. In addition, student research is regularly published in major forensic science journals.

In 2018, GW students set two departmental records. Eleven MFS students were accepted to present research at the American Academy of Forensic Science. Three master’s students had manuscripts accepted for publication in major scientific journals.

"Forensic science technology changes so rapidly that students must always be learners. I can teach them the technology they will use on their first case. But I have no idea what technology they will use on their last case before they retire. It probably hasn’t been invented yet."

Daniele Podini
Associate Professor of Forensic Sciences

Student Research Presentations

GW Forensic Molecular Biology student Drew Bader stands next to his poster at the 2018 Gordon Research Conference and Seminar.

Students work with faculty to craft research projects and present them at GW Research Days.

Recent examples include:

Evaluating LRMix Studio for Deconvolution of Mixtures Using Microhaplotypes
Evaluation of a Novel MPS 74-Microhaplotype Panel for Biogeographic Ancestry Prediction
Separation and Identification of Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs by Field Portable Nano-Liquid Chromatography-Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (nLC-EI-MS)
Discrimination of Polyethylene-Based Trash Bags using X-Ray Fluorescence
A Statistical and Allele Frequency Evaluation on the Methods of Kinship Calculations
Evaluating the Use of DNA Analysis for Family Reunification: A Global Comparison
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Kinship Testing Involving Full Siblings and Half Siblings