Crime Scene Criminalistics

Catalog description

This course is intended to introduce students to the methods and techniques used at crime scenes and in a criminalistics laboratory to document, collect, and analyze physical evidence. Particular attention will be paid to photographic theory and use of the scientific method. Emphasis will be placed on the skills needed to recognize and characterize physical evidence, including trace evidence, firearms and toolmark evidence, controlled substances, fingerprints, fire debris, questioned documents, biological evidence, and physical pattern evidence. Laboratory exercises with mock evidence will allow hands on instruction. A mock court will give the students an opportunity to serve as expert witnesses.