CSI: The Science Behind the Crime Scene

Catalog description

Through a combination of lectures, case studies, laboratory exercises, and field-based simulations, students will explore criminalistics and how forensic science is applied at crime scenes and throughout laboratory procedures. Emphasis will be placed on the collection, preservation, and analysis of physical and biological evidence. Students will become familiar with multiple forensic subfields—including forensic anthropology, entomology, toxicology and odontology—and their roles in criminal investigations. Topics include crime scene processing, skeletal analysis, trauma interpretation, bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprinting, trace evidence, and expert testimony. By the end of the term, students will be equipped with a working knowledge of forensic protocols, analytical techniques, and the scientific basis for evidence interpretation in criminalistics. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Other Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Repeatability: May not be repeated for credit. Grade Mode: Normal (A, B, C, D, F) Schedule Type (Primary): Lecture Schedule Type (Additional): Lecture/Supervised Lab/Clinic, Lecture/Unsupervised Lab/Clinic, Directed Study (one-to-one), Asynchronous Instruction Click here for the Schedule of Classes.