Forensic science has never been more popular or more popularized. From documentary TV shows such as Forensic Files, to their more fictionalized offspring such as the CSI series, forensic science has gained a solid foothold in the public's perception of its practitioners and methods. Belying that perception, however, is the reality of what it takes currently to become a forensic scientist, namely, a strong science education.

The educational foundation for a forensic science degree has changed over the years in response to the increasing recognition that forensic science is a separate discipline in its own right and not merely applied chemistry, biology, or other science. The development of forensic science and the growth in the number of educational programs offering forensic science degrees have contributed to the need for accreditation of these programs. With this accreditation comes a level of assurance for students and employers of what the degree entails and what can be expected of graduates from accredited programs. A recent report from the National Academy of Sciences recommends an increased emphasis on graduate education in forensic science and, with that, additional research to improve the reliability of the science used in investigations, laboratories, and courtrooms.