Forensic Science (BS)

Jessica graduated with her B.S. in Forensic Science from Madonna University in 2019. While attending Madonna, she dedicated time conducting and presenting forensic science DNA research projects; including the analysis of ancient canid remains from New Mexico. Jessica was recognized for her research contributions receiving the Research Excellence Award at the 2019 Madonna Research Symposium. Additionally, Jessica was selected for the Madonna University Research Team. Outside of research, she was a member of the student organization Blossom, Sigma Zeta National Science and Mathematics Honor Society, and volunteered for the annual Missing Persons Day hosted by Missing in Michigan. After graduation, she began work as a Specimen Accessioner at a diagnostic laboratory, then promoted to a Covid-19 Technician. You can now find her back in the world of forensic science! In August 2021, Jessica accepted a position as a Forensic Technician in the Biology unit with Michigan State Police .

Valerie Mayra graduated with a FEPAC accredited B.S. in Forensic Science from Madonna University in 2017. During her degree, Valerie was selected to be part of the Madonna University Cold Case Investigation Research Team, was a member of the Sigma Zeta National Science and Mathematics Honor Society, and was the recipient of the 2016 Madonna University Science and Mathematics Academic Award. Valerie has been employed by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office as a forensic laboratory investigator since September 2017. She is an analyst in the latent print unit as well as an investigator on the crime scene team. She graduated from the Ron Smith and Associates National Latent Print Examiner Training Academy in March 2018 where she received 20 weeks of intense and comprehensive training, covering everything from the history of fingerprints to friction ridge expert witness testimony techniques. Valerie has been a member of the International Association for Identification since 2017.

Al has been with Condat Corp. for 6 years and manages product life cycle, flow of information between group laboratories and performs quality control, tech service, and developmental activities. Al admittedly never expect to work in lubricants; however, he finds it fascinating to know just how large of a role it plays in the world around us. He is also involved in supporting manufacturing with process control, scale up and improvements. Some tasks that have been assigned to him specifically revolve around the removal of some hazardous raw materials from some of the products and maintaining equipment calibration for the lab.

Mission – Forensic Science Program

The mission of the Forensic Science Department and Forensic Science program coincides with the entire Madonna University mission regarding career preparation, and service to others and society, based on Judeo-Christian principles as advanced by the Felician Sisters. The Forensic Science program incorporates this mission while also making a strong commitment to liberal arts education.  While focusing on forensic science in particular, the sciences are taught with a global perspective, incorporating the role of Forensic Science applications in social, environmental, ethical, and human issues.  

Goals and Objectives – Forensic Science Program

At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:  

1. effectively analyze and express Forensic Science concepts in oral and written forms.  
2. engage in critical thinking to research and solve problems in forensic science.  
3. competently conduct evidence analysis and research in forensic science laboratories.  
4. apply ethical principles in conducting forensic analysis.  
5. gain entry-level employment or pursue graduate studies in the field.  
6. meet nationally recognized standards for certification in forensic science. 

1. All Madonna University Forensic Science students are required to provide vaccination records for Hepatitis A and B (or a recent titer demonstrating immunity).
   This requirement must be completed before students are accepted from Pre-Forensics into the Forensic Sciences program.

• Request for Official State of Michigan Immunization Record (Students from outside Michigan should consult with the state health boards in their home state).

• Tips for finding old immunization records

2. All Madonna University Forensic Science students are required to be eligible for a background investigation.
   Each agency has its own process and qualification requirements. However, those seeking employment in a law enforcement agency laboratory should expect that a thorough review of their criminal, credit, academic and professional histories will be conducted. Polygraph examinations may be required, depending on state law and departmental policy. Potential disqualifiers (e.g., drug use, criminal history, credit problems) vary between agencies.

• FBI Employment Eligibility

3.  All Madonna University Forensic Science students are required to participate in national standardized testing prior to graduation.
   The MU Forensic Science Program currently uses the Forensic Science Aptitude Test (FSAT) developed by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC).

• Forensic Science Aptitude Test (FSAT)

• Forensic Science Major Requirements
  • Sample Plan of Study
• Minor Requirements for Forensic Science Majors
• Crime Laboratory Technician Certificate of Achievement
• Crime Scene Practice Certificate of Completion
• DNA Analysis Certificate of Completion

Forensic Science Program facilities are housed in the beautiful Gold Certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Franciscan Center for Science and Media at Madonna University. This new, 60,000 square foot facility opened in fall 2009 and provides state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories where students and faculty design and carry out innovative research projects.

Instrumentation and Equipment List

MU Safety in Science Laboratories Student Manual

Laboratory internships allow students to acquire new skills, as well as network with and assess potential employers in an interactive professional setting. While many forensic laboratories offer internships, the number of placements is often limited and highly competitive. Students interested in internship opportunities are strongly encouraged to contact their faculty advisor and initiate the application process at the beginning of their third year.

Past Internships:

• Michigan State Police
• Oakland County Sheriff Crime Lab
• Alabama Department of Forensic Science
• Sparrow Hospital Forensic Pathology/Medical Examiner's Office
• Fraser Public Safety
• Lansing Police Department
• Condant
• Wacker Chemical Corp.

Students at Madonna have numerous opportunities to give back to their community. However, students in the Forensic Science program get the opportunity to put their forensics skills and their Felician Values into action through Forensic Science Community Outreach. Our outreach programs focus on initiatives which help to restore justice to the less fortunate and often forgotten members of society.

Learn More About Forensic Science Community Outreach at Madonna

The purpose of the Madonna University Forensic Science Society is to encourage interaction and networking between Madonna University students, alumni, and forensic science organizations within the local area. The MUFSS also hosts fun get-together meetings, learning activities and opportunities for members to put their skills and Felician Values into service for the community. Students are eligible (and encouraged) to join once they are accepted and enrolled at Madonna.

Learn More About the MU Forensic Science Society

The Forensic Science Program fosters professional relationships that provide opportunities for faculty and students to present and publish the research data generated within the Madonna University Forensic Science Research Facility. Students have also been able to participate with faculty members on long term research funded through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Funding is available for students to help cover the costs of publication and travel to professional functions to present research.

Senior Thesis Research:

Topics covered in our senior seminar course cover the broad field of forensic science. Below are some of our past projects:

• The Recovery of DNA Evidence from Zar-ProTM Fluorescent Blood Lifters
• Death of a Samurai?: Exploring the Past using Forensic Science Techniques  
• Ancestry Determination of Human Skeletal Remains from Unknown Sources Used as Teaching Specimens  
• Who Am I?: Using Forensic DNA Analysis to Shed Light on the Ancestry of Found Human Remains  
• Wildlife Trafficking and Public Perception
• Challenges Associated with Ancient DNA Analysis and Authentication of Endogenous DNA in Various Sources from 2nd Century Roman Samples
• Assessing Methods to Enhance and Preserve Proteinaceous Impressions Using Inter- and Intra-Examiner Reliability
• Semen Detection and Enhancement on the Skin of Decedents During the Early Stages of Decomposition
• In-Depth Analysis Evaluating the Penetrative Efficacy of .30-30 Winchester Ammunition Against Level 3 Armor
• Analysis of Ear Morphology and Biometrics and Success Rate as a Form of Identification
• Determining the Species of Bone Fragments Recovered from Roman Ruins in Arels, France Using Cytochrome-B Oxidase
• Comparison of Traditional and 3D Printed Firing Pin Impressions in Clay
• Inter- and Intra-Examiner Reliability: Assessing Methods to Enhance and Preserve Blood Impressions from the Skin of Decedents during the Early Stages of Decomposition
• The reliability of two breathalyzer devices against EnzyChrom™ Ethanol Assay (ECET-100): A comparative study 

Learn More About Student Research Opportunities

Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT)

The FSAT is a general knowledge exam given to college students which has been found to perform like similar exams such as the GRE, MCAT and ACS.

Madonna University FSAT Ranking - Spring Sitting*

Test Year	# of UG Programs	Total # of Students	Students from MU	Ranking
2015	13	103	9	2
2016	11	111	9	7
2017	13	108	8	3
2018	12	145	11	4
2019	12	117	10	2
2020	4	19	10	2
2021	11	104	12	4
2022	11	125	11	4
2023	12	137	14	7
2024	10	113	11	7

*there are two separate sittings, spring and fall; with 25 accredited undergrad programs

Forensic Science Program Enrollment and Graduation

Academic Year	Program Enrollment	Forensic Science Students	Students Graduated
2021/2022	82	26	11
2022/2023	92	40	15
2023/2024	93	34	11
2024/2025	107	28	Coming In Spring

Forensic Science Program Retention Rates

Forensic Science majors returning from one fall semester to the next as compared to students as a whole at Madonna University.

	Major	Retention Rate
F2020 to F2021	Forensic Science	100.00%
	University-Wide	82.51%
F2021 to F2022	Forensic Science	96.15%
	University-Wide	76.00%
F2022 to F2023	Forensic Science	100.00%
	University-Wide	72.00%
F2023 to F2024	Forensic Science	100%
	University-Wide	72%

Undergraduate Exit Survey Results 

These results are from our 2024 cohort, n = 2 response.

Please rank these statements using a scale of 1-5, where 5 is strongly agree and 1 is completely disagree.

The Forensic Science Program prepared me to enter the work force in the Field of Forensics.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	-
3	-
4	50%
5	50%

 

The Forensic Science Program prepared me to enter the workforce in a non-Forensic STEM field.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	-
3	100%
4	-
5	-

 

I would recommend the undergraduate Forensic Science Program to someone interested in pursuing a career in forensic science.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	-
3	50%
4	-
5	50%

 

The biology component of the program expanded my knowledge of Forensic Biology.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	50%
3	50%
4	-
5	-

 

The chemistry component of the program expanded my knowledge of Forensic Chemistry.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	50%
3	50%
4	-
5	-

 

The criminalistics component of the program expanded my knowledge of pattern matching and forensic analysis.

Option	% Response
1	-
2	-
3	50%
4	-
5	50%

 

Please indicate your future plans.

Option	% Response
MS	100%
PhD	50%
Employment	100%

 

What field of study would you pursue?

Option	% Response
Forensic Science	100%
Anthropology	50%
Biology	50%
Chemistry	50%
Other (Food Science)	50%

 

I did an internship as a student.

Option	% Response
Yes	50%
No	50%

 

Where did you do your internship?

• Drug Chemistry and Firearms/Toolmarks

I have a job lined up after graduation.

Option	% Response
Yes	50%
No	50%

 

What is your title/position?

• Special Agent 1/Forensic Scientist 1 - Firearms & Toolmark

 

Alumni Employment 

Our program alumni are employed in various field and some even pursue a graduate education! Data collected from Alumni Surveys and from LinkedIn (July 2024).

 

Alumni Survey Responses - July 2024

Alumni Response n = 22

Total Alumni Contacted n - 114

Did the MU Forensic Science Program prepare you for your first job?

Option	% Response
Yes	85.7%
No	14.3%
No Answer	4.8%

 

Did the MU Forensic Science Program prepare you for your current job?

Option	% Response
Yes	76.2%
No	19.1%
No Answer	9.5%

 

On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest score:

Do you feel that the MU Forensic Science Program prepare you to enter the workforce upon graduation?

Option	% Response
1	0%
2	9.5%
3	14.3%
4	19.0%
5	23.8%

 

How likely is it that you would recommend the program to someone interested in pursuing forensic science?

Option	% Response
1	0%
2	4.8%
3	9.5%
4	38.1%
5	47.6%
No Answer	4.8%

 

If given the choice, would you choose the program again for your bachelor's degree?

Option	% Response
1	4.8%
2	9.5%
3	0.00%
4	33.3%
5	52.4%
No Answer	4.8%

History of Forensic Science Program Accreditation

Following the 2004 release of the National Institute of Justice’s report on the state of forensic science educational institutions in the United States, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) sponsored the development of the Forensic Science Education Programs Education Commission (FEPAC), to implement the recommendations of the NIJ’s Technical Working Group on Forensic Science Education (TWG-ED). Madonna University is one of only 35 institutions in the world to achieve accreditation through the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and has the only FEPAC Accredited undergraduate program in Michigan.

FEPAC website

We appreciate your interest in Madonna University and want to share an important update. The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) has placed our program on probation until we hire a new full-time faculty member for the Fall 2025 semester (FEPAC Actions). We are diligently working on this process and want to assure you that our students will continue to recieve quality education through our accredited program. If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to sgladyck@madonna.edu. 

• American Society of Forensic Sciences
• International Association for Identification
• The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Young Forensic Scientists Forum
• Midwestern Association for Forensic Scientists
• California Association of Criminalists
• National Clearinghouse on Science Technology and the Law
• National Institute of Justice

If you would like to donate to the Forensic Science Department for research, please contact Dr. Stephanie Gladyck, Director of the Forensic Science Program at 734-432-5521 or slgladyck@madonna.edu.

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• If a student’s complaint is not resolved by university recourse, they have the right to contact FEPAC with a complaint and be notified of the process to do so.

Administration

Department of Forensic Science
Dr. Stephanie Gladyck, Assistant Professor
slgladyck@madonna.edu 
(734) 432-5521

Dean of Students
Dr. Christine Benson, Dean
cbenson@madonna.edu
(734) 432-5867

College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ian Bell, Dean
ibell@madonna.edu
(734) 432-5307

Susan Toma, Associate Dean
stoma@madonna.edu
(734) 432-5525

Check out your Student Handbook p.56-60 for information regarding grievances.

This grievance work-flow provides a method for settling student grievances resulting from a misinterpretation of the MU Catalog and/or departmental policies, including grades, academic recess, or dismissal from the university. Please see the Student Handbook for more details.

1. Attempt to rectify the problem by talking to your instructor. 
2. If the problem has not been resolved within 10 days, talk to the department chair.
3. If the problem has not been resolved within 10 days, talk to the Academic Dean of the Appropriate College.
4. If the problem has not been resolved within 10 days, appeal to the Student Appeal Board.  You must obtain and submit the Special Academic and Administrative Requests form to the Office of the Registrar.
5. A hearing date is set with the Student Appeal Board by the Dean of Students.
6. At the hearing, both the student and faculty member present their views on the issue.
7. The Student Appeal Board will arrive at a majority decision.
8. The Dean of Students will provide written notice of the decision to both parties.
9. If you would like to appeal the decision, you may do so to the Vice President for Academic Administration, Graduate School Dean, or designee. This decision will be final.

This grievance work-flow provides a method for settling student grievances resulting from a misinterpretation of MU policies. Please see the Student Handbook for more details.

1. Attempt to rectify the problem by talking to the staff member with whom the issue exists.
2. If the problem has not been settles within 10 days, speak to the department or office head.
3. If the problem has not be settled within 10 days, speak to the Dean of Students.
4. Submit the Special Academic and Administrative Requests form to the Office of the Registrar. 
5. A hearing date will be set with the Dean of Students.
6. At the hearing, you may present evidence of grievance. 
7. The Dean of Students will provide a written notification of the decision.
8. You may appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Mission Integration. This decision will be final.

If a student’s complaint is not resolved by university recourse, they have the right to contact FEPAC with a complaint and be notified of the process to do so.

https://www.aafs.org/fepac/contact-fepac