Practical Experiences Bolstering Forensic Science Education

Practical Experiences Bolstering Forensic Science Education

As a world leader in criminal justice and forensic science education, Sam Houston State University offers a wealth of unique opportunities that draw students from far and wide. One such student, Daye Kim, had a unique path to the university and is making the most of the educational and extracurricular activities offered at SHSU.

Working as a crime scene investigator for South Korea’s national police agency, Kim and her peers received a mandate to conduct research on top of their regular duties. After carrying on her work with the agency for seven years, she was granted educational leave to pursue her doctoral degree.

“It was time to think about how I could contribute to this field, so I started searching for a university with a doctoral program in forensic science,” Kim said. “There are only two universities in the U.S. with a doctoral degree in forensic science and I applied to both. But I focused on Sam Houston more because the professor I had contacted at that point had actual practical experience, so I knew he was going to be the best PI.”

At the time she applied, Kim had no idea about the breadth of experiences she would evolve from. From small things such as adjusting to the difference between the hustle and bustle of life in Korea to the quieter town of Huntsville to larger things such as tackling the language barrier, Kim’s time in the U.S. has presented plenty of challenges and opportunities.

And recently, one fulfilling opportunity was also particularly challenging. Kim was among the selected presenters during the 2026 TEDxSHSU event centered on human connection.

"I can see a lot of people have various issues in their lives," Kim said. "I wanted to discuss how you can deal with things and help others when they’re struggling instead of just labeling their behavior as weird.”

Her remarks echoed the training she received from the Korean National Police Agency, which encourages officers and other emergency response professionals to check in with their colleagues. Kim found the message of “see something, say something” felt like one that needed to be shared. After all, she managed the burden of her regular coursework and the rigorous preparation process for TEDxSHSU through the support of her mentors and TEDxSHSU coaches.

The research strategies and task management skills Kim developed through her first three years of the five-year doctoral program have her feeling more equipped to conduct fieldwork and research in the crime scene investigator role awaiting her return to South Korea. Kim is currently on track to graduate by 2028, pursuing her studies at breakneck speeds to also have room for exciting experiences such as TEDxSHSU. Maintaining this pace has been an ongoing challenge but is one she is willing to tackle to help strengthen the connection between forensic science practitioners and academics.

“Through my experience in the police force, I came to understand what I could contribute to the field, and I’m now exploring how to make that happen,” she said. “My time at SHSU has been a great help in understanding academia and I’m gradually forming a clearer picture of what kind of bridge I can become between the two.”