Maggie Ku

School of Criminology | master's degree | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I'm currently pursuing my MA within the School of Criminology at SFU, where my research focuses on preventing wrongful convictions caused by faulty forensic evidence. I did my Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, where I specialized in Forensic Anthropology, as I was always drawn to the intersection of law and forensic science. In my third year, I attended a presentation by Innocence Canada, which really solidified my direction as I learned how forensic science is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions. For my honours research, I looked at ways of reducing wrongful conviction rates with opposing expert opinions, but I've since shifted toward evidence presentation and perception in legal contexts. Ultimately, this all comes back to the gap in knowledge between the forensic science and legal worlds, so I wanted to be someone who could bridge that.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose SFU largely because of my supervisor, Dr. Gail Anderson. Her research aligned closely with what I wanted to pursue, and when I met her in person before committing to the program, I was genuinely captivated by her career and the work she was doing at the Centre for Forensic Research. After taking some time away from school, I realized how much I enjoyed academia and wanted to find a program that truly aligned with my research interests. SFU just felt like the right fit because of how enthusiastic the School of Criminology is about their research.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I look at how we can make forensic science easier to understand in court so that innocent people don't get wrongfully convicted. A lot of my work comes down to how evidence is communicated and whether the people in that room actually understand what they're hearing.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

wrongful convictions & forensic science

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My research experiences have pushed me to develop both qualitative and quantitative skills that I don't think I would have sought out otherwise. Outside of the classroom, presenting at the Criminal Minds Conference and serving as president of my undergraduate forensics society helped me build confidence in communicating research to different audiences. All of these experiences have reinforced that I want to work at the intersection of forensic science and law.

Contact Maggie:maggie_ku@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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