COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Forensic Science Course introduces the students to the role of the forensic
scientist within the criminal justice system. The nature of physical evidence will be
examined with emphasis placed on the limitations our current technology imposes on the
investigator's ability to individualize and characterize the evidence. The course will
examine the various techniques used to analyze a crime scene. Areas that will be
emphasized will include but not be limited to: Forensic Entomology, Forensic Pathology,
Forensic Odontology, Crime Scene Analysis, Fiber Analysis, Fingerprints, Blood Splatter
Analysis, and DNA Analysis. The Internet and "Crime Scene Simulations" will provide
students with hands on experiences with what they have discussed in class.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. ability to understand the types of information obtained from physical evidence,
    the methods of analysis and the systems used to classify physical evidence;
  2. ability to understand the history, applications, types, and methods of
    visualizing, enhancing, collecting, preserving, identifying, and comparing
    fingerprints found at a crime scene;
  3. appreciate the significance of the various types of impression evidence and learn
    methods for collecting and preserving impression evidence;
  4. ability to understand the applications, types, and methods of visualizing,
    enhancing, collecting, preserving,  identifying, and comparing trace evidence
    found at a crime scene;
  5. ability to use inquiry as a means of examining forensic problems;
  6. ability to utilize the stages of growth, microscopic structure and morphology,
    methods of examination, and microscopic identification of the species, race, and
    somatic origin of hair evidence;
  7. ability to understand the collection techniques and methods used to analyze
    paint, glass, and soil evidence;
  8. ability to appreciate the importance , components, and identification procedures
    associated with blood evidence and the use of DNA as an individualization
    technique in the examination of blood;
  9. ability to carry out the steps taken to secure, process, document, investigate,
    and reconstruct a crime scene;
  10. ability to understand how present and future developments of science will affect
    forensic science;
  11. development of concern for all life and the ability to act as a concerned and
    informed citizen;
  12. give the student a strong basis for future studies in the natural sciences.


Forensics