By Aimee Norton
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 2, 2008

With textbooks in hand, Tucker Driskill is studying for a career he’s dreamed about for years, being an investigator. But Driskill’s degree is a little different.  He’s learning how to investigate fraud.

“As I grew up I really got into math and really got into the fraud and the whole thing and that’s when it really hit me that this is what I want to do,” said Tucker Driskill, a junior at Lynchburg College.

He is part of the first class to study financial forensics. That means he’ll be able to track all kinds of fraud, from internet scams to forgery and identity theft.

“There’s tremendous demand for forensic accountants and fraud investigators around the United States,” said Dr. David Murphy.

He has worked all over the world investigating fraud.  Dr. Murphy designed the program with input from local law enforcement officers and accountants.

“The Virginia State Police reviewed the program and gave us some really good feedback and thought the students would be in very high demand,” he said.

Lynchburg College is one of only a few colleges in the country to offer the degree.

“With this great major it’s just gonna open doors for many people,” said Driskill.  “Learning the specifics on how to do it with computer forensics, and learning how to detect fraud and forgery and all that.”

He will be on the fast track to a career in crime prevention.

The major will include classes in accouting, criminal justice and economics.  The program will launch this fall.