Forensic Biology and Toxicology

Put your curiosity to work as you investigate crime from a scientific viewpoint. Our course is unique in WA as it focuses on biology and life sciences, and forensic science including DNA analysis and Toxicology.

Industry terms such as forensic palynology (the use of pollen grains to connect a suspect to a crime scene), forensic anthropology (the identification of skeletal remains) and forensic entomology (the insects that decompose human remains) will become part of your professional vocabulary.

You will learn the dynamics of blood pattern analysis and test your knowledge in the lab, exploring your fingerprints and features that are used for identification. You’ll also investigate wildlife crime through DNA analysis using the same techniques that are used to identify elephant ivory and rhino horn.

Using the latest cutting-edge analytical technology, you will learn how to identify toxins in body fluids and contaminated products, helping you piece together crimes.

Along with the technical skills, you will also get hands-on experience with forensic DNA profiling and analysing human profiles in simulated casework.

3 reasons to study Forensic Biology and Toxicology at Murdoch

1. Get hands-on experience as you apply DNA profiling and other forensic techniques from the lab to simulated crime scenes.
2. Help solve real-life homicide and missing persons cases through our Cold Case Review initiative and study in state-of-the-art-labs.
3. Learn the latest real-world techniques and policies, with course input and guest lectures from forensic experts from PathWest, and ChemCentre.

What you’ll learn

• Forensic science
• Forensic DNA analysis
• Forensic anatomy and anthropology
• Forensic toxicology

Your future career

With a degree in Forensic Biology and Toxicology, you could pursue a range of roles in Australia or overseas. Careers could include:

• Crime Scene Officer
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Investigator
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Wildlife Forensics Officer

If your dream is to become a Scene of Crime Officer or Forensic Investigator, you can progress your studies to apply for our Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice) after completing this degree.

For further admission information about this course, please download our Information Pack.