Forensic Science Quality Assurance.

Catalog description

This course presents common sources of forensic science errors that can occur at the crime scene, within law enforcement, in the crime laboratory, and in the courtroom and media. The roles of cognitive bias, misconduct, negligence, professional incompetence, lack of technical validation, and communication barriers in compromising forensic quality assurance are addressed. Special attention is given to laboratory specific quality assurance issues and the role of accreditation/certification in ensuring the integrity of forensic evidence and its analysis. Students also discuss court decisions, legislation, and case studies directly related to the validity of admissible scientific evidence, disclosure of quality assurance incidents, and wrongful convictions due to forensic science errors. The importance of the scientific method in the development and validation of new forensic techniques is emphasized. The expected professional and personal ethics of forensic science practitioners and the common ethical dilemmas they face are also highlighted. Prerequisites: BL 1401 , BL1402, CH 1401 , CH 1402 OR permission of instructor. (Fall). (All courses serving as prerequisites in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology must be completed with a “C” or better in order to advance to the next sequenced course.) (Lecture 3 hours).