Coopersmith Career Consulting | Evaluated Learning Experience
Firearms, the Law, and Forensic Ballistics (JUS-331)
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
January 2025 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain the historical development and role of firearms in law enforcement, public safety, and criminal activity; identify and describe various types of firearms, their components, and their mechanisms of action; analyze key firearm laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, and discuss their implications for law enforcement and civilian ownership; apply principles of forensic ballistics to identify firearm evidence and analyze ballistic trajectories; describe the process of collecting, preserving, and documenting firearm-related evidence at crime scenes in accordance with legal standards; evaluate the use of ballistic patterns and projectile motion in reconstructing shooting incidents; interpret forensic reports and ballistic evidence to draw conclusions in criminal investigations; and discuss ethical considerations and challenges related to handling firearm evidence and conducting forensic ballistic analysis.
Firearms, the Law, and Forensic Ballistics is an undergraduate course that provides a comprehensive exploration of firearms, their legal implications, and the science of forensic ballistics in criminal investigations. Topics include the historical and contemporary role of firearms in society, key firearm-related laws and their impact on law enforcement and public safety. The course delves into the technical aspects of firearms, including types, mechanics, and the process of forensic ballistics. Students learn how to analyze firearm-related evidence, understand the physics of projectile motion, and interpret ballistic patterns to reconstruct shooting incidents.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Firearms, Forensic Science, Forensic Anthropology, or Ballistics (1/25).