Forensic Science Course - CJUS1301 Quiz

Forensic Science Course - CJUS1301

• Course Overview:
  • Forensic science applies scientific knowledge to legal issues (civil and criminal).
  • This practical course focuses on crime scene evidence collection, analysis, and court testimony.
  • Students learn innovative techniques and methods to analyze and interpret evidence, with a focus on clarity and concise communication.
  • Required lab reports explain results and significance.
  • Course duration: 3 credits, 75 contact hours (45 practical, 30 theory).

Unit I: Introduction to Forensic Science (8 hours)

• Forensic Awareness:
  • Sub-fields of Forensic Science: Covers different branches and their functions (e.g., forensic pathology, toxicology).
  • Emerging Forensic Techniques: Explores new and innovative methods.
• Crime Laboratory Organization:
  • Structure and Function: Outlines the organization for efficient use.
• Forensic Scientist Roles and Functions:
  • Responsibilities: Explores the tasks and duties of forensic scientists.
• Crime Laboratory Roles and Functions:
  • Responsibilities: Explores the tasks and duties of crime laboratories.
• Information Technology in Forensic Science:
  • Computer and Mobile Forensics: Examines the application of ICT in forensic investigations.

Unit II: Forensic Psychology (4 hours)

• Suspect Assessment:
  • State of Mind: Analyzes a suspect's mental state during a crime.
  • Behavioral Patterns: Examines patterns of suspect behaviors.
  • Modus Operandi: Assesses suspect's method of operation.
• Mental Deviance: Examines various mental and behavioral aspects related to criminal profiling.
• Criminal Profiling: Explores the process of developing profiles of criminal suspects.

Unit III: Forensic Anthropology (8 hours)

• Introduction to Forensic Anthropology: Overview of the field.
• Human vs. Animal Bone: Differentiating between human and animal skeletal remains.
• Ancestry Determination from Skeletal Remains: Techniques for determining ancestry from bones.
• Trauma Analysis from Skeletal Remains: Identifying the types of trauma from bones.
• Forensic Odontology: Forensic dentistry applications in criminal cases, including bite mark analysis.

Unit IV: Forensic Pathology (4 hours)

• Classification of Death: Classifying different types of death in forensic contexts (natural, accidental, suicide, homicide).
• Autopsy Overview: A review of the history of autopsies.
• Autopsy Parameters: Introduction to the key parameters of an autopsy.
• Decomposition Processes: Explaining processes like algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis, and different stages of decomposition and their relevance in forensic contexts.
• Forensic Entomology: Brief introduction to the use of insects in forensic investigations.

Unit V: Forensic Toxicology (7 hours)

• Forensic Toxicology Concepts:

  • Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: General principles relevant to drug analysis.

• Forensic Toxicology Techniques:

  • Drug Identification Techniques and Chemical Tests: Explores various techniques utilized for drug identification.

• Different Drug Types:

  • Narcotics: Examines narcotic drugs
  • Hallucinogens: Examines hallucinogens
  • Depressants: Examines depressants
  • Stimulants: Examines stimulants
  • Club Drugs: Examines club drugs
  • Anabolic Steroids: Examines anabolic steroids

• Toxicological Findings Significance: Discusses the importance of toxicological findings in legal cases.

Unit VI: Microscopy and Forensic Science (4 hours)

• Microscopy Techniques:
  • Compound Microscopy: Covers compound microscopes and their applications
  • Comparison Microscopes: Covers comparison microscopes and their applications
  • Stereoscopic Microscopy: Covers stereoscopic microscopes and their applications
  • Polarizing Microscopy: Covers polarizing microscopes and their applications
  • Microphotometer: Covers microphotometer and their applications
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Explores SEM and applications

Unit VII: Recording a Crime Scene (12 hours)

• Crime Scene Documentation:
  • Videotaping: Utilizing video for crime scene documentation.
  • Photography: Modern photographic techniques for crime scene documentation.
  • Crime Scene Report Writing: Preparing and writing a complete crime scene report.
  • Crime Scene Sketching: Creating sketches of the crime scene.
• Different Crime Scene Types: Focuses on documentation for different crime types, covering detailed photographs of prints, impressions, bloodstains, injuries, and vehicles.

Unit VIII: Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody (10 hours)

• Locard's Principle: Fundamentals based on physical transfer at crime scenes.
• Evidence Definition: Definition of evidence in forensics.
• Physical Evidence Types: Covers different types of physical evidence categories.
• Evidence Collection and Packaging: Standards for gathering, preserving and packaging different types of evidence, including biological (blood, saliva, semen, etc.) and physical (glass, soil, etc.).
• Evidence Preservation Methodology: Includes procedures to prevent evidence contamination, and how to maintain chain of custody procedures.
• Packaging Cadavers: Specific protocols for corpse collection and packaging (decomposed, fresh, aquatic).

Unit IX: Hair and Fiber Evidence (4 hours)

• Hair Analysis: Identifying and comparing hair samples.
• Fiber Analysis: Identifying and comparing different types of fibers, including manufactured and botanical materials.
• Botanical Evidence: Identification and analysis of pollen, seeds, and other botanical remains.

Unit X: The Crime Scene (12 hours)

• First Responding Officer Duties: Responsibilities of first responders.
• Crime Scene Processing: Crime scene protocols and procedures.
• Evidence Collection Procedures: Methods for evidence collection, proper chain of custody, and detailed recording techniques.
• Legal Considerations at Crime Scenes: Important legal aspects to consider in crime scene procedures.
• Comprehensive Crime Scene Documentation: Comprehensive reporting and documentation and register recording of crime scenes.