Officials at West Virginia University believe its new Ph.D. program in forensic science will lead to a more effective justice system.
The new Ph.D. program was approved last month and will launch in the fall. At that time, WVU will become the nation’s first university to offer undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in forensic science.
One professor said this program will help students develop new ways to avoid wrongful convictions and mishandled evidence.
“The students that come out of this program will be absolutely, uniquely positioned to implement these kinds of ideas," said Keith Morris, assistant professor of Forensic and Investigative Sciences. "If they get implemented, and if these students can show the future, then we’ll really get a dramatic reduction in misapplied forensic science.”