GW Department of Forensic Sciences

What GW Department of Forensic Sciences does

The GW Department of Forensic Sciences is an academic unit within George Washington University, founded in 1970 as one of the earliest forensic science graduate programs in the United States. It serves graduate students preparing for careers in forensic analysis, crime laboratory science, and federal law enforcement, with documented employer placement at agencies including the FBI, ATF, NIST, and DEA, as well as private sector partners such as Bode Technology. The department operates a portfolio of FEPAC-accredited programs — specifically the Master of Forensic Sciences (MFS), MS degrees, and graduate certificates — with accreditations held in Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Molecular Biology; it maintains 15 full-time faculty and instructional facilities including a Crime Scene Apartment opened in 2025.

The department's core technical activities span forensic chemistry, forensic molecular biology (including next-generation sequencing), latent print examination, crime scene investigation, and trace evidence analysis, supported by computational tooling such as probabilistic genotyping software and mass spectrometry. Research output is externally funded, with documented federal awards in 2025 from the FBI, NIJ, and CTTSO totaling roughly $1.58M, and is regularly showcased at the AAFS annual conference (15 student presenters at AAFS 2025). Strategic activity in 2025 includes faculty renewal, facility investment, and a planned Graduate Certificate in Latent Print Examination for fall 2026.

As an academic unit, the department's revenue mechanics are tuition from graduate enrollment, competitive federal and private research grants, and university subsidy/allocation; it does not publish standalone financials. Demand drivers are federal hiring cycles, accreditation requirements for crime laboratories, and sustained interest in forensic science careers, while key risks include enrollment cyclicality, federal grant funding volatility, and faculty succession in a specialized talent market.

Name

GW Department of Forensic Sciences

Legal name

The George Washington University - Department of Forensic Sciences

Website

https://forensicsciences.columbian.gwu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The GW Department of Forensic Sciences is an academic unit at George Washington University offering FEPAC-accredited graduate degrees and certificates in forensic chemistry, molecular biology, and crime scene investigation, serving students pursuing careers in federal agencies and crime laboratories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Forensic Science

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Medical Laboratory Science & Clinical Diagnostics (EDAHAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forensic Science & Crime Laboratories (Justice System Support) (BPAIAFAI), Criminal Investigations & Forensics (Detectives, Crime Labs, CSI) (BPAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Forensic science education
• Graduate degree programs
• Crime scene investigation
• Forensic chemistry training
• DNA analysis training

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Graduate Tuition: The department generates revenue through graduate tuition for its Master's programs (MFS in Forensic Science, MFS in Forensic Chemistry, MFS in Forensic Molecular Biology, MS in Crime Scene Investigation) and graduate certificate programs. Students pay tuition for 36-37 credit hour programs.
2. Donations and Gifts: Department receives charitable contributions from alumni and supporters to fund faculty and student research, academic enrichment activities, visiting speakers, symposia events, and student initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The GW Department of Forensic Sciences delivers graduate-level academic programs in forensic science, including FEPAC-accredited Master of Forensic Science (MFS) degrees in Forensic Science, Forensic Chemistry, and Forensic Molecular Biology, an MS in Crime Scene Investigation, graduate certificate programs, and a combined BS/MFS pathway. Programs combine rigorous scientific coursework with hands-on laboratory training using professional-grade instrumentation such as mass spectrometers and DNA analysis equipment, and a dedicated Crime Scene Apartment for immersive investigative scenario training.

Product overview

GW Department of Forensic Sciences offers a comprehensive portfolio of graduate-level educational programs in forensic science disciplines. The portfolio includes four FEPAC-accredited graduate degree programs (MFS in Forensic Science, MFS in Forensic Chemistry, MFS in Forensic Molecular Biology, and MS in Crime Scene Investigation), two certificate programs (Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigation and the nation's first Graduate Certificate in Latent Print Examination), and a combined BS/MFS accelerated pathway. These programs form an integrated educational pathway from undergraduate through graduate levels, with the MFS programs serving as the core offerings and certificate programs providing specialized skill development and entry pathways. The department leverages state-of-the-art laboratory facilities including mass spectrometry equipment, forensic instrumentation, and crime scene training spaces including a dedicated crime scene apartment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive research collaborations with NIST Applied Genetics Group for student research projects. Faculty member Dr. Simone Gittelson completed postdoctoral research at NIST. Students conduct research projects at NIST facilities. Collaborations include microhaplotype development and DNA sequencing validation.
• Bode Technology GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBode Fellowship Program established by MFS '99 alumnus Mike Cariola provides paid work opportunities for GW forensic science students. Students conduct research projects at Bode facilities. Alumni employment pipeline. Partnership supports touch DNA and human identification research.
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATFE Laboratory research collaboration with faculty including Todd Bille (former ATFE DNA Technical Leader). Research focus on improvement of collection, extraction, concentration, and analysis of touch DNA from incendiary devices, firearms, fired cartridge cases, and explosive devices.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBI research funding for forensic science projects including Dr. Eldridge's latent fingerprint research ($225,506 grant). Alumni employment pipeline for graduates.
• DC Department of Forensic Sciences (DCFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington D.C. government forensic laboratory offering internships for students. Geographic proximity enables student access to local crime lab experience. Collaborative research on fentanyl test strip analysis.
• District of Columbia Office of the Medical Examiner (DCOME)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment medical examiner office offering internship opportunities for forensic science students in the Washington D.C. region.
• Montgomery County Crime LabminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Maryland crime laboratory offering forensic science-related internships for students.
• Baltimore Police DepartmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaryland law enforcement agency offering forensic science-related internships for students.
• US Postal Inspection Service - National Forensic LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal forensic document examination laboratory where adjunct faculty Stephanie Kingsbury works as Senior Forensic Document Examiner, providing expertise and potential student opportunities.
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency where alumni complete Basic Forensic Chemist Course. Alumni Annika Myshak (MFS '24) and Haley Jensen (MFS '24) graduated from DEA training program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boston University - Forensic Anthropology Program: Boston University's graduate programs include forensic science concentrations competing for applicants interested in forensic biology, DNA analysis, and crime scene investigation, particularly those targeting East Coast federal and state crime laboratory careers.
• Sam Houston State University - College of Criminal Justice: SHSU offers one of the nation's largest and most established forensic science programs (BS and MS in Forensic Science), competing directly with GW for graduate applicants seeking FEPAC-aligned training. Both programs emphasize hands-on lab work and crime scene investigation.
• Virginia Commonwealth University - Forensic Science Program: VCU's Department of Forensic Science offers MS degrees with FEPAC accreditation in Forensic Biology/DNA, Forensic Chemistry/Drugs, and Forensic Physics. Direct competitor located within the Mid-Atlantic region with overlapping student recruitment and federal agency placement.
• University of California, Davis - Forensic Science Graduate Program: UC Davis offers an MS in Forensic Science with concentrations in criminalistics, DNA, and crime scene investigation with FEPAC accreditation. Direct competitor on the West Coast for graduate applicants interested in DNA analysis and crime lab careers.
• University of New Haven - Forensic Science Department: University of New Haven offers FEPAC-accredited MS in Forensic Science with concentrations in forensic DNA, forensic chemistry, and crime scene investigation. Direct competitor in the same niche, with similar practitioner-focused curriculum and federal agency placement emphasis.
• Penn State University - Forensic Science Program: Penn State's Forensic Science program offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with FEPAC accreditation, competing directly with GW for students interested in DNA analysis, forensic chemistry, and crime scene investigation. Both programs serve the federal and state crime laboratory employment market.
• Florida International University - Global Forensic and Justice Center: FIU operates a major forensic science graduate program (MS in Forensic Science) with FEPAC accreditation, offering concentrations in forensic analysis, DNA, and crime scene. Direct competitor for graduate applicants, particularly those interested in forensic DNA analysis careers.

Others

• Bode Technology Group: Bode Technology is a leading private forensic DNA laboratory and a strategic partner of GW's department through the Bode Fellowship Program. As both a GW employer of alumni and a research collaborator, Bode represents the private-sector employer counterpart for forensic molecular biology graduates.
• National Institute of Justice (NIJ): NIJ funds forensic science research and standards development, including grants that support GW faculty research. As a federal funding source and standards-setting body, NIJ shapes curriculum requirements for FEPAC-aligned graduate programs across the country.
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): AAFS is the professional society that houses FEPAC accreditation, sets industry standards, and hosts the annual meeting where GW students present research. AAFS serves as the professional ecosystem connecting GW's programs to the broader forensic science community and employer network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GWUForenSciences
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gw-forensic-sciences
• Instagraminstagram.com/gwuforensicsciences

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GW Department of Forensic Sciences