Introduction to Forensics

Course Description

Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts in Forensic Science, beginning with historical perspectives and covering the use of forensics to investigate and solve crimes. Units include history and development, crime scene evaluation, the crime lab, trace evidence, impressions, fingerprints, blood and DNA. Students watch online lessons, complete virtual lab activities, communicate with classmates in online forums, conduct hands-on lab activities, write a research report, and much more. They acquire knowledge of the skills, equipment and technology used to analyze physical evidence and how to examine and interpret this evidence. Skills in data analysis, critical thinking and problem solving, reinforce their understanding of the scientific process.

Materials Needed

This course requires the use of any microscope and the purchase of a lab book and a lab kit:

Saferstein, Richard, Basic Laboratory Exercises for Forensic Science. [Upper Saddle River, N.J. Prentice Hall, 2007. 

• ISBN 0-13-221627-2
• Required lab kit
• Any microscope

Detailed Course Information

Course Details

History and Development

• Timeline
• Anthropology
• Pioneers in FS
• Frye v. US
• Frye Standard
• General Acceptance
• Gate Keeper
• Federal Rule of Evidence
• Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals
• Locard’s Principle

The Crime Scene

Type of Evidence

• Testimonial
• Physical

First responders

• Protecting the Scene
• Outer Perimeter
• Inner Perimeter
• Core

Processing the Scene

• Securing the scene
• Separating witnesses, collusion
• Sketching the scene
• Rough Sketch
• Final Sketch

Search Patterns

• Grid
• Linear
• Spiral
• Quadrant/Zone

Processing Evidence

• Evidence Log
• Packaging Evidence
• Chain of Custody

The Crime Lab

Federal Agencies

• FBI
• DEA
• ATFE
• US Postal Inspection

Basic Crime Lab Services

• Physical Science Unit
• Biology Unit
• Fire Arms Unit
• Document Examination Unit
• Photography Unit
• Toxicology Unit
• Latent Fingerprint Unit
• Crime Scene Investigation Unit

Specialized Services

• Forensic Pathology
• Anthropology
• Entomology
• Psychiatry
• Odontology

Trace Evidence

Fiber Evidence

• Direct Transfer
• Secondary Transfer
• Value of fibers
• Collecting Fibers

Fiber Comparison

• Polarizing Light Microscope
• Infrared Spectroscopy

Natural Fibers

• Animals: Hair, Fur
• Plants: Seeds, fruit, stems, leaves
• Minerals: Fiberglass, asbestos

Synthetic Fibers

• Rayon
• Acetate
• Nylon
• Polyester

Hair Shaft

• Cuticle
• Cortex
• Medulla
• Root

Microscopic Hair Analysis

• Medullary index
• Medulla pattern

Life Cycle of Hair

• Anagen Phase
• Catagen Phase
• Telogen Phase

Physical Properties of Glass

• Density
• Refractive Index

Comparing Glass

• Floatation Method
• Immersion Method
• Match Point
• Becke Line

Impressions

Classification

• Class
• Individual

Type of Impressions

• Patent
• Latent
• Plastic

Bite Marks

• Bite pattern
• Points of comparison

Tool Marks

Categories

• Indentation Marks
• Abrasion Marks
• Cutting Marks

Shoe Print Impressions

• Stride Pattern
• Wear Pattern

Casting Impressions

Tire Marks

• Tread Pattern

Fingerprints

Principles of FP

Friction Ridges

Types of FP

• Patent
• Plastic
• Latent

FP Patterns

• Loops
• Whorls
• Arches
• Minutiae and points of comparison

Computer Technology

• IAFIS Database

Chemical Methods for Developing Latent Prints

• Ninhydrin
• Superglue Fuming
• Silver Nitrate
• Iodine Fuming

Blood and DNA

Components of Blood

• Red blood cells
• White blood cells
• Platelets
• Plasma

Blood Typing: A, B, AB, O

Rh factor

Testing for blood

• Luminol
• Kastle Meyer Test
• Leukomalachite Green

Structure of DNA

Sources of DNA

DNA Fingerprinting

System Requirements

CTYOnline courses require a properly-maintained computer with Internet access and a recent-version web browser (such as Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer) with the Adobe Flash plugin. Software needed (available free online): Adobe Reader, Word Processing Software (like Microsoft Word, or Open Office http://download.openoffice.org/), and RealPlayer . Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g. login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc).

This course requires high-speed Internet access (such as Cable or DSL) for online lesson videos. Your browser will need to allow javascript, login cookies, and popup windows from ctyjhu.org, bluejay.cty.jhu.edu, and any other course web sites.