An increasing number of women are being drawn to forensic science.

Those in the field estimate that the nation's forensic labs are at least 60 percent female. At Virginia's Department of Forensic Science, 36 of 47 scientists hired since 2005 were women.

West Virginia University professor Max Houck is researching what draws women to the sometimes gruesome world of forensics.

Among other factors, he cites the "CSI effect." Houck says the popular CBS show and its spinoffs were the first to show a proportional number of women in leading scientific roles. Other popular shows featuring female forensic investigators have followed.

Women say they were drawn to forensic science by strong role models, a desire to help people and stability that's often lacking in other scientific careers.