Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminal Law

Catalog description

This introductory course provides students with a foundational overview of the classic areas of forensic science and how scientific principles are applied to the investigation of crime. Students are introduced to traditional forensic discipline, such as crime scene investigation, trace evidence, fingerprints, and forensic biology. The course emphasizes the role of observation, documentation, and ethical practice in forensic work. Additionally, this course examines how the sciences interrelate with the law. A signature component of the course is a hands-on diorama project inspired by the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death created by Francis Glessner Lee. Through this project, students apply forensic thinking to detailed mock crime scenes, developing skills in careful observation, evidence recognition, and hypothesis development.