According to a recent article in the New York Times, the study of forensic science is making a huge splash in the field of education.

Essentially, forensic science involves applying scientific principles to solve crimes. The field is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to shows like The X-Files and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which profile top forensic scientists hard at work. High school students in select classrooms now have the opportunity to collect and analyze mock evidence in preparation for potential crime-solving careers.

Many people have been hotly debating about the decreasing quality of science education in local schools. Experts fret that if students don’t start showing an interest in science, industry in the U.S. will be surpassed by the growing technological advances in Asia and Europe. However, ever since the forensic science program was started at a New York high school fifteen years ago, it has become so popular that the school now offers seven different forensic science classes.

Forensics provides students a great way to learn scientific principles without even realizing it! Chemistry is involved when forensic scientists study soil composition or test samples for drugs, while biology and anatomy are invoked when analyzing fingerprints or studying blood samples. Physics and math is also applied when students attempt to make sense of blood splatters or reconstructing the scene of a car crash. Additionally, a large part of forensic science involves using new technologies and techniques (many of which include computer systems) that are needed to accurately catch criminals.

The demand for qualified forensic scientists is on the rise, especially since a February report from the National Academy of Scientists found that many crime scene laboratories are under-staffed, which can lead to clumsy errors examining evidence. The increased emphasis on forensic science in schools combined with the greater demand for certified forensic scientists, makes the career outlook for the future crime solvers of America very bright.