Our Forensic Chemistry Major with a focus on developing knowledge and skills in organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry, provides you with an excellent education in chemistry. This, together with the forensic skills you will gain at Griffith will make you a very valuable and highly sought after employee in any area of the chemical industry.
Forensic chemists look for evidence of contact between two people, a person and an object or between two objects. This type of evidence is called contact trace evidence and it’s usually very small in size e.g. fragments of clothing fibres may transfer from one person to another if they are involved in a fight, or paint from a window frame may transfer onto a crowbar used to force open the window in a burglary. Other types of trace evidence include residues of drugs on a surface or biological samples like blood, debris from the scenes of explosions or fires, fragments of glass or marks and impressions such as shoe print impressions made in soil.
By studying forensic chemistry at Griffith University you will develop the knowledge and skills to be able to analyse trace evidence, interpret the results and present your work both orally and in a written format suitable for presentation to the Courts. You will develop problem solving and teamwork skills which are valued highly in both the forensic and other chemical industries.
Forensic chemists are employed both by state and federal police forces and by government forensic laboratories. Police forensic chemists deal with evidence submitted from high profile cases and will analyse glass, paint, fibres, ballistics and other toolmarks whereas the government laboratories deal with illicit drugs, toxicological samples, clandestine laboratories and other types of physical evidence requiring expert chemical investigation and analysis.
Appropriately qualified students may undertake an Honours year in the Biomolecular and Physical Sciences Honours Program where you undertake a Forensic Chemistry research project under the supervision of a practicing forensic chemist developing the research skills and knowledge to pursue a career in Forensic Chemistry research and innovation.
Study pathways
Undergraduate degree programs
- Bachelor of Forensic Science - Nathan
- Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice - Nathan and Mt Gravatt
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences Honours Program
Postgraduate degree programs
- Master of Science in Forensic Science (QPS)
- Master of Science with Honours in Forensic Science (QPS)