SMU Forensic Science

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡—𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘!

The 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 of 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 offers the 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. This program presents a comprehensive and science-based approach to the study of crime and evidence analysis. It equips students with a strong foundation in key disciplines such as chemistry, toxicology, forensic instrumentation, forensic odontology, and forensic medicine.

The program also emphasizes practical and hands-on learning through activities like crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, and mass fatality investigation developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and technical competence necessary for forensic practice.

𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 is the 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐈, where it also provides students with valuable opportunities for local, national, and international internships, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, scientific advancement, and the pursuit of justice through evidence-based investigation.

BIRTHDAY CASE: REPORT 0423 🕵‍♀️

Happy Birthday, Chelzea! 🧪🔍

Another year smarter, another mystery uncovered! As the Vice President of Forensic Science, you are not only responsible for solving the mystery based on evidence but also for taking control and ensuring all actions are taken logically.

Happy birthday and keep on solving mysteries and proving your ability to solve the unsolvable. Your story does not end here! 🔎🧬

𝑫𝑰𝑺𝑪𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑴𝒀𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑨𝑺𝑻!

On March 3, 2026, the SMU Forensic Interns embarked on a fascinating tour of the National Museum of Anthropology. They examined a variety of artifacts related to burial practices and explored how these artifacts reveal connections between death, social hierarchy, and community organization. Additionally, they studied early ceramic wares used by ancient Filipinos, showcasing their craftsmanship and trade connections. The interns also learned how forensic archaeology techniques are used to analyze artifacts and human remains, helping to reconstruct historical events. This experience deepened their understanding of how forensic methods can uncover stories hidden within archaeological finds.

𝐄𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝

On March 1, 2026, the SMU Forensic Science interns officially commenced a transformative chapter of their OJT at the University of the Philippines Manila. Their journey began with a warm welcome from Dr. Teresa De Guzman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, before they were placed under the expert mentorship of Sir Alfonso Lumabas for a rigorous two-week immersion into the world of forensic science.

Within the grounds of UP Manila, the interns were challenged to reconstruct the silent narratives of the deceased, gaining hands-on experience in assembling human remains and conducting controlled archaeological excavations. Their understanding of material culture was further deepened through curated visits to the National Museum of Anthropology, where they explored the intersection of human behavior and physical evidence.

The scope of their study extended to the historic town of Taal, Batangas—famously known as the "Vigan of the South" and the "Home of Heroes." Stepping into the Don Leon Apacible Ancestral House, the Doña Marcela Agoncillo House, and the Villavicencio Wedding Gift House, the interns stood where revolutionaries once walked, gaining a profound appreciation for the figures who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

From the architectural grandeur of the Taal Basilica to the serene Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay, the group witnessed the enduring legacy of Filipino faith and craftsmanship. The visit was punctuated by an interactive look into the local identity of the Balisong and Barong Tagalog Capital. The interns didn't just observe; they engaged with the community through Balisong and Burda (embroidery) demonstrations and even tried their hand at the traditional art of Panutsa making.

We are honored to present an esteemed lineup of experts who will be sharing their invaluable knowledge and field experience at the 1st Regional Forensic Science Conference. Each professional brings a unique and profound wealth of expertise to our theme, ensuring a high-level exploration of various forensic disciplines. Our sessions will be led by seasoned practitioners and academic leaders who have dedicated their careers to the advancement of science and the pursuit of truth.

These guest speakers are recognized for their significant contributions to the field, offering a diverse range of perspectives that bridge the gap between theoretical study and practical application. We are privileged to have such a powerhouse of talent guiding our participants through the complexities of Mass Fatality, Humanitarian Forensics, Forensic Odontology, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Archaeology, and the collective effort to give a voice to the silent witnesses of history and crisis.

Silent Witnesses No More!

While our commitment to the pursuit of justice remains steadfast, Saint Mary’s University is transitioning the 1st Regional Forensic Science Conference—scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026—to a fully online webinar format. This decision was made in response to unforeseen circumstances and the recent hike in fuel prices, which we recognize poses a significant financial burden for our participants traveling across region 2.

Despite the shift in venue, our high-level sessions and expert speakers remain the same, continuing to explore the theme "From Recovery to Recognition: Giving a Voice to the Silent Witnesses of History and Crisis." Participants will still have the opportunity to delve into the complexities of Mass Fatality Incidents, Humanitarian Forensics, Forensic Odontology, Forensic Archaeology, and Forensic Anthropology via Zoom.

Registration for this virtual event is now only 100 PHP, which includes full access to the Zoom webinar and an e-certificate. Please note that all original registration fees (₱370 for students and ₱550 for professionals) will be fully refunded.

To join us for this landmark event, please secure your virtual slot via the link below no later than the registration deadline on April 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM. We appreciate your understanding as we pivot to ensure this exchange of multidisciplinary insights remains accessible and inclusive for all Forensic Science and Criminology students and professionals.

For those who have already paid, please message Kizzy Ann Paguirigan on Facebook to process your refund.

Seminar Link: https://forms.gle/2zqb9wkH9sqh5CX5A

𝗔𝗴𝗮𝘆𝘂𝘀: 𝗔 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 - 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝗲𝘃𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘇𝗰𝗮𝘆𝗮'𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆

March brings together two powerful advocacies: Women's Month and International Day of Forests. We are channeling that mobilizing energy into AGAYUS: A watershed Fair celebrating Nueva Vizcaya's Bounties. Together, we will celebrate the protection of vital water systems as a profound act of collective care for the 234,824-hectare Magat Watershed and the 88,846-hectare Casecnan Watershed. Recognizing women as the primary nurturers and frontline defenders of the earth the SMU gymnasium will be bustling with the festive energy of a contemporary Tabu or harvest market.

📅 March 21, 2026 (Saturday)
📍 Tonus Gymnasium (Saint Mary's University)
⏰ 9:30AM - 5:00PM

's Month

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐓 𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄, 𝐃𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐗 𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄.

In a display of social consciousness and community solidarity, the SMU Student Central Council and the Marian Forensic Science Organization, accompanied by Mrs. Heidi Mendoza, visited the barricade at Bitnong, Dupax Del Norte on March 11, 2026.

Arriving at 8:30 AM, Marians was met by community members who have been steadfastly guarding the site to protect their ancestral lands and agricultural heritage. The visit began with a short feeding program, and turn over of donated groceries, medicines, and other necessities. However, the true nourishment came from the exchange of stories and encouragement between the youth and the land defenders.

The outreach emphasized that being a "Marian" extends far beyond the campus walls. Mrs. Mendoza challenged the students to find their role in social movements, noting that even small actions carry weight.

"𝘼𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙩—𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤—𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖," she urged.

"𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣." she added.

Mrs. Mendoza further emphasized that true civic identity is forged through immersion, telling the students:

"𝙈𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙜-𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙡, 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙖 𝙧𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖 𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢. 𝘿𝙞𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤."

The sentiment was warmly reciprocated by the community. One of the leaders at the barricade, reminded the students that the struggle for land is ultimately a struggle for the next generation.

"𝘼𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙠𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙞 𝙨𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙖𝙙𝙖—𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙨𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙖𝙣. 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝—𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.” He shared.

He noted that the presence of the students provided a much-needed morale boost for the defenders:

"𝘼𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙗𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙖 𝙖𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙜-𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙖 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙣."

The SMU Student Central Council and the Marian Forensic Science Organization concluded the visit by assuring the community members that their defense of what is rightfully theirs is not in vain. By bridging the gap between the academe and the grassroots, the Marians reminded that the citizens of Bitnong does not stand alone.

BIRTHDAY CASE: REPORT 0303 🕵‍♀️

Today, we have an opportunity to honor a remarkable case, we celebrate the birth of a person whose mentorship, leadership and meticulousness have had a phenomenal impact on the history of our company.

Happy Birthday, Ma'am Joelyne!

May you have a day of happiness, great health, and all the things that will make you as happy as you make us. Thank you for your assistance, tolerance, and commitment to our company. You make a great impact in developing us into more capable, confident and enthusiastic people. May this year of your life bring you all the achievements, serenity and all the good things that you truly deserve.

We are grateful not only for having you as our mentor, but also for having you as an inspiration and a guider. Happy Birthday!