Forensic Science Symposium

The Forensic Institute for Research and Education has created the Forensic Science Symposium to encourage middle and high school students with an interest in forensic science to conduct and present original scientific research. FIRE hopes to promote success in scientific fields by providing a program that will stimulate, motivate, and inspire students.


The Forensic Science Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Middle Tennessee State University. Students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible to submit original research project abstracts. The submission application date has been extended to February 15th , and students will be notified of their acceptance by February 29th.

Click Here for Submission Application


It is suggested that students begin research projects early in the school year so they may have results by the application deadline. Students will present their projects in both written and poster formats, and the judging of projects will take place during the poster session of the symposium on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Judges will include community leaders and professionals in various fields of science and forensic science. First, second, and third place winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the symposium. These winners will receive cash awards. The sponsoring teacher of the first place winner will also receive a special prize and recognition during the ceremony. Each presenting student will receive participant recognition, and all accepted projects will have abstracts printed in the official Forensic Science Symposium Proceedings Journal.

Click for Guidelines

Click for Topic Suggestions

If you are interested in finding a research mentor for a student project, please send a brief description of the topic or project of interest, along with a request for a mentor, to fire@mtsu.edu.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is the responsibility of the researcher and sponsoring schools or clubs to obtain the appropriate approval for and conduct research according to your institution's guidelines. Sponsoring clubs or schools should have insurance coverage to protect school participants. The Forensic Institute for Research and Education can assume no responsibility in this matter.