Beyond CSI - California State University, East Bay

New CSUEB Club Puts
students
BY Linda Childers ’85
Under the Microscope
Slipping a glass slide containing
hair samples found at a crime
scene under a microscope, senior
Mary Keehan peers into the lens
in search of answers. During the
next hour, Keehan and several
other students will examine
evidence from bloodstains to
fingerprints found at a murder
investigation scene. Their goal:
reconstruct the events leading
up to the crime and assist in
identifying the perpetrator.
It’s not a typical day in the
classroom but rather a different type
of crime scene, one where like-minded
students — all members of the newly
created CSUEB Forensic Science Club
— meet to discuss the latest issues,
news, and trends pertaining to one
of the fastest growing professions —
forensic science.
By studying minute details of a
crime scene, these aspiring forensic
scientists are learning how to identify
criminals and analyze evidence against
them, as well as how to perform
comprehensive chemical and physical
analyses of evidence and prepare reports
describing the results.
Under the guidance of Assistant
Professor Keith Inman of the
Department of Criminal Justice
Administration, the Forensic Science
Club launched in spring 2010 and
meets twice a month, attracting
20 students, primarily biology and
chemistry majors, who hope to broaden
their knowledge of forensic science
standards, practices, and protocols.
38 Cal State East Bay Magazine | SPRING 2011 Cal State East Bay Magazine | SPRING 2011 39