Introduction to Forensics (NCAA Approved)

About the Course

Introduction to Forensics (NCAA Approved)

Grades 6-9
CTY-Level
Session-Based
Science and Engineering

Put your thinking cap on to begin studying concepts in forensic science, starting with historical perspectives covering the use of forensics to investigate and solve crimes. You’ll go over history and development, crime-scene evaluation, the crime lab itself, trace evidence, impressions, fingerprints, blood, and DNA as you interact with online lessons, conduct hands-on lab activities, communicate with classmates in online forums, write a research report, and much more. You’ll acquire knowledge of the skills, equipment, and technology used to analyze physical evidence while reinforcing your understanding of the scientific process. While this course does not have any synchronous class meetings, you can schedule one-on-one virtual meetings directly with your instructor to answer questions or concerns.

Time Commitment: 3-6 hours of independent work per week.

Course Overview

What we'll do

We’ll complete 11 units that each include a video lesson, labs, assignments, and a unit test. Labs give you a chance to practice the methods used by forensic scientists. Assignments reinforce the course material through article reviews and reflection prompts. The course culminates in a final project that demonstrates the skills you learned.

What we’ll learn

About the work of various experts who contributed to the field of forensic science
How standards and procedures were established to validate physical evidence found at a crime scene
How a crime scene is documented and processed to protect the evidence
The structure and organization of a crime lab and the conducted there
How evidence left at a crime scene can connect the suspect to the scene
How impressions in various substrates can connect a suspect to a crime
About footprints and shoe prints as methods of identification
How fingerprints are formed, and the patterns and characteristics that make them unique
About the different blood types, blood tests, and how blood stain patterns form
The structure of DNA and its role in identification of suspects and paternity
Techniques used to examine documents for authenticity
Forensic anthropology and how it is used to study the past

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the pioneers and historical cases that provided a foundation for the development of forensics
Describe physical evidence and the methods used to process a crime scene
Identify the services offered by a standard crime laboratory
Analyze and identify various types of trace evidence, such as hair, glass, and fibers
Identify and describe techniques used to analyze impressions, such as footprints, tool marks, and tire marks found at a crime scene
Explain the uniqueness of fingerprints for identification
Collect, examine, and analyze fingerprints from various surfaces
Describe the tests used to determine whether a biological stain is blood, and of human origin
Examine blood spatter patterns from different angles
Demonstrate knowledge of serology through antigen-antibody reactions
Perform a DNA extraction and explain various methods of analyzing DNA from a crime scene
Describe how documents are examined to determine their authenticity
Distinguish between the skull, brow ridge, pelvis, and femur of the male and female skeleton
Use comparative anatomy to examine the similarities and differences between the structural features of humans, chimpanzees, and other organisms

How we'll measure learning

Instructors will evaluate student work using assignment guidelines and rubrics. Unit tests will used to assess your progress throughout the course.

This course is

graded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Jan 21 - Apr 13

$1,015

Enroll

Jun 16 - Sep 7

$1,015

Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

	Math	Verbal
Required Level	CTY-Level	or CTY-Level

Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition
- Varies
Application fee
- Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
- Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Learn More

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].

Introduction to Forensics (NCAA Approved) - Course Materials

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Terms & Conditions

Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

Our Science and Engineering courses bring a variety of science topics to life. By introducing topics not covered in standard science curricula, we build and reinforce your science knowledge. All courses support critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning, and encourage a real-life, hands-on approach to learning about Earth, space, life sciences, chemistry, and the physical world. Guided by expert CTY science educators, you’ll master science lab kits, perform hands-on experiments using common household objects, participate in dynamic group discussions, or prepare for AP exams.

More engaging science enrichment courses!

In the newly revised Inventions in Engineering course, students bring fantasy into reality by creating inventions to solve the problems of favorite fictional characters and the real world alike. A new unit in Introduction to Forensics asks students to evaluate the validity of various kinds of forensic evidence and its impact on the lives of individuals, and to provide recommendations on which types of forensic evidence should be admissible in the criminal justice system. In Household Chemistry, students engage in newly revised activities that help develop their skills in making and recording detailed observations using all 5 senses as they explore states of matter and the role chemistry plays in their daily lives.

Meet our Science and Engineering Instructors

One of the joys of teaching science is encouraging students to observe closely the world around them. I enjoy when students start to think critically about how everything in the natural world interacts with everything else, and how they can apply what they have learned in class to real life.

Keith Gallinelli

Science and Engineering Instructor

I am amazed at the level of tenacity of my students and am inspired by their quest to learn beyond walls and defined standards. They inspire me to learn more about our dynamic scientific world for continuous growth of their eager minds.

Tamica Stubbs

Science and Engineering Instructor

Online Programs