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Criminal Justice 106: Forensic Science
Varies; self-paced.
December 2012 – December 2022.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: describe the fundamentals of forensic science; describe the role of forensic science in the larger criminal justice system; list and discuss the responsibilities and procedures of persons conducting forensic examinations of crime scenes; outline different broad categories of physical evidence; match and discuss the best analytical techniques to each physical evidence category; describe how forensic science is being applied to new types of evidentiary material such as DNA and computers; analyze the ramifications of using forensic science on new types of evidentiary material on scientific, ethical and privacy issues; and explain and evaluate a topic in forensic science, research and analyze that topic further and produce a cogent research paper on the subject.
The course is self-paced, and instruction is delivered through online video and text lessons. Students are assessed through quizzes and a proctored final exam. Topics include: introduction to forensic science, physical evidence and crime scene reconstruction, conducting death investigations, trace evidence in hair and fibers, fingerprint analysis and collection, types and uses of microscopes, firearms, tool marks and impression evidence, drugs and substances in forensic science, forensic toxicology,; physical evidence analysis, forensic serology, basics of DNA in forensic science, fire and explosion investigations, computer and mobile device forensic, and forensic document analysis.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Police Administration, Financial Crimes Investigation, or Cybersecurity Investigation (12/17).
