Forensic Lab

Overview

Established in 2012, the Forensic Science Learning Lab (FSLL) at Texas Southern University is a teaching, research, and training facility housed within the Administration of Justice Department of the Barbara Jordan–Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. The Lab serves TSU students preparing for careers in forensic science and supports working practitioners, educators, attorneys, and community stakeholders seeking to deepen their understanding of how science is applied in the justice system.

Mission

The mission of the Forensic Science Learning Lab is threefold:

• Provide specialized forensic science education and training for Texas Southern University students pursuing careers in the field.
• Provide training opportunities for current practitioners, K–12 educators and students, law enforcement officials, and community stakeholders seeking to expand and update their knowledge and skills.
• Provide research opportunities for academicians and graduate students working at the intersection of science, law, and public policy.

Academic Programs

The FSLL anchors a portfolio of credit-bearing programs at Texas Southern University, giving students multiple entry points based on their academic level and career goals.

• Minor in Forensic Science — open to undergraduates across the University who wish to complement their major with formal coursework in forensic disciplines.
• Executive Master of Administration of Justice (eMAJ) with a Specialization in Forensic Management (eMFM) — a graduate concentration designed for working professionals advancing into leadership roles in crime laboratories and forensic related agencies.
• Forensic science coursework integrated into undergraduate and graduate criminal justice degrees, with hands-on laboratory exposure to DNA analysis, drug chemistry, toxicology, forensic biology, digital analysis, and forensic anthropology.