The Effectiveness of Diversity Programs in the Field of Forensic Science

Much research has been directed towards increasing cultural diversity in law enforcement; however, the same energy has not been directed towards the field of forensic science. Although similar, in a crime scene the two fields have different functions. While law enforcement would be concerned with notifying family, interviewing suspects, or maintaining a perimeter, forensic scientists would be concerned with analyzing the crime scene and collecting evidence. Within the forensics population, those of Caucasian descent make up approximately 62% of the criminal forensics field, with Hispanic and Latino individuals at 13.5% and other racial minorities at smaller numbers (Koppl, 2007). The purpose of this research is to discover existing diversity initiatives in forensic science programs throughout the United States and what can be done to ensure that racial minorities are better served by forensic degree programs. Because the criminal justice field services many different racial groups, it is imperative for professionals to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. This thesis aims to discover the extent to which existing programs aid racial minorities seeking to enter the field of forensic science.