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Program advisor, contact:
Dr. Lee Goff
Dr. M. Lee Goff is one of the inspirations for the character Gil Grissom in the hit series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. An advisor to the series, Dr. Goff is at the end of a phone line when the CSI writers have a question about insects. He is featured in the bonus material in the DVD for season 8.
Academics:
Coursework for this degree is rigorous. Undergraduates complete the equivalent of a minor in chemistry, a minor in biology, intensive math and physics courses, as well as the Forensic Sciences curriculum. Our program is one of only 10 in the nation requiring this breadth of knowledge in the sciences for a B.S. in Forensic Sciences degree.
Hands-On Experience:
Our outstanding senior-year internship program provides a year of hands-on experience in a specific forensic science specialty of the student's choice, under the direct supervision of a recognized expert in that area.
Dr M. Lee Goff, director of our forensic sciences department, is a leading authority on forensic entomology. Dr. Goff has served as a consultant for an number of television shows and movies, including the popular CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and Crossing Jordan. Dr. Goff has participated in over 300 homicide investigations in Hawaii and other parts of the world, as well as published over 200 scientific papers. Dr. Goff is closely involved with instructing and mentoring students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In Hawaii, Chaminade University draws faculty and intern mentors from the largest pool of active, top forensic investigators in the nation. Our teachers are experts currently employed and working cases, and thus are contributing to the most current knowledge and techniques in their field. These military and governmental agencies located on Oahu are among our resources for faculty and/or intern mentors:
Classes are small at Chaminade, with a student-to-faculty ratio of about 17:1. No class is larger than 45. Everybody gets to know everybody on campus. We take an interest in the progress of the individual student throughout the forensics program. In a larger institution, with larger classes, the student could easily "get lost" in the system.
With us, the student can get additional assistance if needed, quickly. Also, as we get to know our students, we assist them with career choices and research opportunities. The forensic sciences are an eclectic grouping of sub-disciplines, and we can guide the student into the area best suited to their interests and abilities.
