Forensic Science

FOR 502 Forensic Science Internship (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing. Provides academically supervised, real-world experience for forensic science majors. The internship usually constitutes the only practical experience in an actual casework lab that students have during the forensic science program, and it provides a valuable asset to the student in the job market. 3 credit hours.

FOR 599 Independent Study (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair. An opportunity for the student, under the direction of a faculty member, to explore and acquire competence in a special area of interest. 1-3 credit hours.

Forensic Science - Graduate Courses

FOR 614 Survey of Forensic Science (back to previous page)
An introductory survey of forensic sciences and criminalistics, crime scene procedures and documentation, and methods of laboratory analysis for all forensic science students.

FOR 616 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation (back to previous page)
An in-depth study of crime scene procedures including recognition, protection, documentation, and collection of physical evidence; scene documentation, scene search procedures; and reconstructions from evidence and scene patterns.

FOR 620 Advanced Criminalistics I (back to previous page)
Corequisite: FOR 621. The comparison and individualization of physical evidence are presented in lectures and carried out in the laboratory. The theories and practice of microscopic, biological, immunological, and chemical analysis are applied to the examination of blood, semen, and other body fluids.

FOR 621 Advanced Criminalistics I Laboratory (back to previous page)
Concurrent registration in FOR 620 Advanced Criminalistics I is required. Laboratory fee required. 1 credit hour.

FOR 625 Chemistry of Fire and Explosives (back to previous page)
An examination of the basic organic chemistry and combustion and explosive properties of flammable materials.  The chemical principles underlying jfires and explosions.  Chemical properties of various synthetic materials and the products of their combustion.  Fire rtardent materials and chamicals used in fire extinguishment.  (See also CH 625 and FS 625).

FOR 632 Advanced Investigation I (back to previous page)
An in-depth study of modern principles and techniques of criminal and civil investigations. Management of investigations, use of witnesses, interviewing, polygraph, backgrounds, establishment of MO, missing persons, surveillance and investigation of questioned deaths and death scenes.

FOR 633 Advanced Investigation II (back to previous page)
An in-depth study of the principles and techniques of criminal and civil investigations. Investigation of fraud, embezzlement, white-collar crime, property crimes, sexual assaults and other crimes against persons; extortion; kidnapping; drug trades; and traffic accidents.

FOR 640 Advanced Criminalistics II (back to previous page)
Introduction of advanced microscopic, chemical and instrumental methods with extensive hands-on experience provided by a laboratory section. Principles and methods of analysis of microscopic and macroscopic evidence such as glass, soil, papers, inks, dyes, paints, varnishes, explosives, fibers, drugs and other potential physical traces will be discussed.

FOR 641 Advanced Criminalistics II Laboratory (back to previous page)
Laboratory fee required. 1 credit hour.

FOR 645 Drug Chemistry and Identification (back to previous page)
Introduction to licit and illicit drugs as evidence, followed by an overview of chemical, microscopical and instrumental techniques used for their identification; discussion of sampling, separation and quantitation of evidence specimens; presentation of drug chemistry expert testimony in courts of law.

FOR 653 Physical Analysis in Forensic Science (back to previous page)
The classic firearms examination, classification and comparison of bullets and cartridges, toolmarks comparison and striation analysis, serial number restoration, document examination, voiceprint identification, fingerprints and polygraph examination.

FOR 654 Physical Analysis in Forensic Science Laboratory (back to previous page)
Laboratory fee required. 1 credit hour.

FOR 660 Forensic Microscopy (back to previous page)
The theory and techniques of optical microscopy required to use the micoscope for evidence detection, analysis, and evaluation. Microscopical methods of analysis and polarized light microscopy will be covered in lecture and laboratory. Laboratory fee required. 4 credit hours.

FOR 661 Medicolegal Investigation and Identification (back to previous page)
An introduction to procedures and techniques for medicolegal investigation of questioned death and identification of deceased persons, including autopsy technique, odontological procedures and anthropological approaches.

FOR 662 Forensic Toxicology (back to previous page)
An in-depth analysis of forensic toxicological procedures and methods; determinations of metallic, volatile, and soluble poisons; analysis for narcotic drugs and other drugs of abuse and dosage from drugs that are commonly abused or found contributing to cause of death. Laboratory fee required. 4 credit hours.

FOR 663 Advanced Forensic Serology I (back to previous page)
A comprehensive study of the theory and practice of isoenzyme, serum protein and immunoglobulin genetic markers in human blood and body fluids. Electrophoretic and isoelectric focusing techniques. Interpretation of genetic marker results in blood individualization. Laboratory fee required. 4 credit hours.

FOR 664 Advanced Forensic Serology II (back to previous page)
A comprehensive study of the theory and practice of biochemical and immunologic procedures for blood and body fluid identification; typing of Rh, MNSs and other red cell antigens in blood and blood stains; antiserum selection and evaluation; ELISA techniques; DNA polymorphism analysis. Laboratory fee required. 4 credit hours.

FOR 670 Selected Topics (back to previous page)
A study of selected issues of particular interest to the students and instructor.  May be taken more than once.

FOR 673 Biomedical Methods in Forensic Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: FOR 620. Corequisite: FOR 674. Methods of modern biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology as applied to the examination and individualization of biological evidence in forensic science. Includes discussion of prior methods up to the most current used today in forensic biology.

FOR 674 Biomedical Methods in Forensic Science Laboratory (back to previous page)
Concurrent registration in FOR 673 Biomedical Methods in Forensic Science is required. Laboratory fee required. 1 credit hour.

FOR 686 Forensic Science Research Project I (back to previous page)
Individual guidance on a research endeavor. 1-3 credit hours.

FOR 687 Forensic Science Research Project II (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: FOR 686. 1-3 credit hours.

FOR 688 Forensic Science Internship I (back to previous page)
Formal educational development is complemented by field placement experience in a forensic science laboratory or identification unit. Field experience is supervised by designated agency and department personnel. Students must complete a project in connection with the internship placement and experience; an appropriate work product must be provided to the instructor.

FOR 689 Forensic Science Internship II (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: FOR 688.

FOR 695 Independent Study (back to previous page)
A directed independent learning experience, the topic and format to be agreed upon by the student and supervising faculty.  1-3 credit hours.

FOR 697 Thesis I (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: 15 graduate hours.  Periodic meetings and discussions of the individual student's progress toward the completion of the thesis.

FOR 698 Thesis II (back to previous page)
A Continuation of Thesis I.

FOR 699 Thesis III (back to previous page)
A continuation of Thesis II.