Forensics

This Forensic science class is a laboratory course designed to apply the principles and technological practices to the purposes of justice in the study of criminal and civil issues.

Topics Covered and Labs Conducted:
While in this forensic science course we will learn about some very interesting uses of science as it pertains to a crime scene. These topics are, but are not limited to:
 Securing a Crime Scene
o Mapping a crime scene
 Securing Physical Evidence
 Glass and Soil Evidence
o Density of glass lab
o Determining Soil pH lab
 Hair, Fiber and Paint analysis
o Hair and Fiber comparison lab
 Fingerprinting
o Completing a print card
o Dusting for latent prints using a powder
o Fuming (Cyanoacrylate)
 Forensic Entomology
o Determining time of death using blowfly life cycles
o Decomposition lab
 Forensic Serology
o Blood spatter lab (determining angle of impact)
o Blood spatter lab (determining point of origin)
o Blood typing lab
o Use of presumptive blood tests and luminol labs
 DNA Analysis
o DNA extraction lab
o Gel electrophoresis of dyes (Through U of A’s Biotech program)
o Gel electrophoresis of DNA (Through U of A’s Biotech program)
 Forensic Aspects of Arson
o Observations of gases in an enclosed system lab
 Forensic Toxicology
 Forensic Anthropology
o Height, age and sex determination
 Ballistics
o Bullet and cartridge comparison lab
o Trajectory
 Document and Voice Examination
o Ink chromatography lab
 Computer and Internet Forensics