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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Forensic and Investigative Science
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Zach Pirkl

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Examination
Class of 2025

“They teach you how to do things, challenge you to figure things out, then send you into the field to put together the puzzle.”

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Scholarships and/or Academic Awards: President’s List and Dean’s List

Hobbies: Soccer Tennis, Gaming, D&D, Drawing

Extracurriculars: Soccer and Tennis Club Teams, and FIS Club

One interesting fact about you: I’m SCUBA certified and been stung by a Portuguese Man-O-War Jellyfish.

Q&A with Zach

  • What are your favorite things about being in this major?
    • I love puzzles and being in this major, the classes send you out to do the puzzle and figure it out. Then after we graduate, we get released to do it in the field.
  • What is the most interesting thing about your major?
    • I find blood spatter and death investigation very interesting.
  • Why did you want to pursue this major?
    • I took a forensics class in high school, and we went over cases. I really liked doing things that boil down to puzzles with logic.
  • How have your professors and/or staff helped you be successful?
    • They are good about strict grading for things done outside class and in the field.
  • What skills and/or knowledge have you gained that you feel will help you be successful in your future career?
    • Taking classes helps to know it’s generally logic and not overthink things while also becoming more observant.
  • What are your career goals?
    • I would like to be a Medical Examiner or Crime Scene Investigator.
  • What is your favorite place on campus?
    • The Evansdale Rec Fields!
  • What is your most memorable moment at WVU?
    • My most memorable moment is the time when my friends and I had a lightsaber battle at night on the Rec Fields.
  • What is your favorite class and why?
    • Crime Scene Investigation or Physics, but mostly CSI because I like doing the labs since they’re good practice in a safe environment.
  • What experience or class taught you the most?
    • Law and Evidence because I like to look at what happens after my job finishes and I get to see the result.
  • Why did you choose WVU?
    • Morgantown is like Flagstaff, AZ which I liked. I also liked the vibe and feel, it’s a very nice place, and has a good forensics
  • What advice would you give to an incoming student in the same major?
    • The first two years are hard but if you stick it out, the classes in the last two years are fun, super helpful, practical.

 

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