A. Karl Larsen, Jr., Ph.D.

(Illinois State Crime Lab)

Karl Larsen began working for the Illinois State Police in late 1976.  He has a Doctorate in Pharmacodynamics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. 

 Karl began working in the Illinois State Police Drug Chemistry Section, completing analysis of tablets, capsules and powders for the presence or absence of controlled substances and plant materials for the presence or absence of cannabis or other controlled substances.  After his Doctorate, he worked in the toxicology section completing analysis of body fluids for the presence or absence of controlled substances.   

In 1999, he began his present position at the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Center at Chicago.  There, he aids in research and training of new forensic scientists, and assists in the Master of Science in Forensic Science Program at UIC.  Additionally, Karl serves as the technical leader for the Toxicology section.