Emma Hoefer – Personal Statement

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved mysteries. I was constantly reading
mystery novels, analyzing every detail, trying to solve the puzzle before the answer was
revealed. I loved having all of the pieces in front of me, and the thrill I got trying to figure out
how they all fit together to see the whole picture. I never knew exactly what I wanted to do with
my future but I knew I wanted my career to make me feel the same way I felt when solving
puzzles. I first became aware of the field of forensic science when I was watching a true crime
documentary on TV. The case was a double homicide that involved an extreme amount of
physical evidence. With all of the DNA evidence that was presented, there was no doubt in my
mind that the defendant was found guilty. I was absolutely stunned when the opposite was
announced, that he was found not guilty. I remember feeling so confused – how could they have
this man’s blood and hair at the crime scene, physical proof he was present, and yet they let him
walk free? I immediately became fascinated with understanding how different pieces of evidence
are analyzed and evaluated.

My interest in this area led me to enroll in a forensic science class in high school. In this
class we learned about areas such as fingerprinting, hair/fiber analysis, and blood spatter. Our
teacher would then set up fake crimes scenes for us to investigate incorporating the different
types of evidence that we learned about. It quickly became my favorite class of the day. I loved
finding the clues she would leave us to find the right location. I loved the organization and
structure of collecting the evidence she laid out. My favorite part of the class was analyzing the
evidence. I would spend hours after school working with the microscopes trying to identify the
various hair and fingerprints that were collected. I had all of the different pieces in front of me, I
just needed to put them together. It was around this time that I decided forensic analysis was
something that I wanted to pursue.

The classes I took in high school led me to pursue a degree in Chemistry with a minor in
Criminal Justice. Chemistry classes helped me to gain a foundation in laboratory skills and
techniques. When working to isolate DNA or RNA from samples, I learned the importance of
precise and meticulous lab work. One small mistake could destroy your work beyond repair. I
found an appreciation for the repetition and practice it takes to grow those skills as much as
possible. The Criminal Justice classes helped me understand the human side of the field. Hearing
from both criminals and victims helped me gain a new perspective on. Learning that hundreds of
cases don’t get solved because the evidence sits on shelves for years waiting to be analyzed
struck a chord with me, and further confirmed that this is the path I want to take. By pursuing a
career in forensic chemistry, I’ll be able to unite my enjoyment of puzzle-solving with my
appreciation of science, while helping provide answers to victims and their families and
addressing a need in our society.