STL 175 - Forensic Science

An introductory lecture and laboratory study of forensic science and its impact on society. As its name implies, forensic science is the application of scientific procedures to aid in the solving of crimes. For example, the identification and individualization of materials such as glass, hair, fibers, physiological fluids and drugs through the use of modern scientific procedures is illustrated. The value of such scientific techniques to law enforcement and the general public will be studied and case illustrations from crime laboratories will be provided. The scientific principles underlying the collection and analysis of evidence will be covered at a level appropriate for non-science majors. Students will have the opportunity to carry out many of these procedures to identify, classify, and draw conclusions from simulated evidence. Important legal decisions which impact the practice of forensic science and their implications for the general public will be examined. In addition the reliability of the various forensic sub-disciplines (for example, fingerprinting and hair analysis) will be critically examined in terms of their scientific validity. The scope of forensic science and its impact on society will be examined, for example, pollution control, art forgery, and ecological crimes.
Lecture
3 Credits