View Descriptor
Descriptor Details
-
Descriptor Title
Introduction to Forensics
-
C-ID Number
150
-
Units
3.0
-
Date of Last Revision
10/12/2017 04:43:52 PM PDT
General Description
This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, questioned documents and controlled substances.
Prerequisites
No information provided
Corequisites
No information provided
Advisories
No information provided
Content
Role of Forensic Science within the Criminal Justice System
Crime Scene analysis versus crime scene processing
Analysis of Pattern Evidence in Investigations
Principles of Fingerprint Identification
Analysis of Document Evidence
Firearms and tool mark analysis
Collection, Preservation and analysis of DNA evidence
Arson and Explosives evidence
Types of Controlled Substances evidence
Lab Activities
No information provided
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
Identify and explain the role of forensic specialists in the Criminal Justice System.
Identify the various types of crime scenes and differentiate between crime scene process versus crime scene analysis.
Identify and differentiate the types of pattern evidence and explain their respective importance in crime scene reconstruction.
Identify and explain Personal Identification Patterns that identify a person.
Identify and explain the processes for analyzing questioned documents
Identify and explain the processes for analyzing tool mark and firearm evidence.
Identify the three methods of DNA typing.
Explain the procedures for the collection and preserving DNA evidence to prevent contamination.
Identify and Differentiate the chemical and material evidence in Arson and Explosives crime scenes.
Identify and Differentiate depressant, stimulant, hallucinogen, and narcotic substances and explain the methods of analyzing each type of substance in a forensic laboratory.
Evaluation Methods
Objective and subjective examinations/quizzes
Case analysis
Projects
Homework assignments
In class exercises/presentations
Textbooks
The Science of Crime Scenes, Houck, 2012, 1st Ed.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigation, Bertilo, 2016, 2nd Ed
Criminalistics: Forensic Sciences, Crime & Terrorism, Girard, 2015, 3rd Ed.
Descriptor Administration
-
Public Review Needed
No
-
Next Descriptor Review
No information provided
-
Resubmission Requirements for Courses
No information provided
-
Resubmission Deadline
No information provided
-
Comments
No information provided
-
Notes
No information provided
-
Keywords
orig app year 2010
Delete Descriptor?
Are you sure you want to delete this descriptor?
Deleted descriptors cannot be restored.