An introduction to forensic science with a focus on the history and current state of disciplines including crime and death scene investigation, chain of custody procedures, the forensic laboratory and its components and expert testimony. Field trips, guest speakers and hands-on activities.

Lecture and field experience in the methods and techniques of forensic science. Topics will vary. May be repeated once under a different topic.

Recognition of bloodstain pattern evidence, flight characteristics, motion, and force. Includes hands-on activities.

Trace evidence at crime scenes; includes hair, fibers, soils, paint, bloodstains, fluids, and other substances.

Impression evidence at crime scenes; includes fingerprints, footwear, tires, firearms, tool marks, and bite marks.

The detailed examination of the elements of the human skeleton, with an emphasis on identifying and siding individual bones and their bony structures.

The forensic expert witness in the courtroom. Class taught in conjunction with practice court presentations at the Baylor Law School.

Investigations of white-collar crimes and their place in forensic science.

Examining and processing the crime scene for physical evidence such as fingerprints, footwear impressions, trace evidence, occult blood, and DNA. Photography, search strategies, collection methods, and legal considerations will be reviewed. (Students may not receive credit for both FORS 2357 and FORS 3357).

Firearm evidence; includes nomenclature, analytical methods, gunshot residues, ballistics, and shooting incident reconstruction.

An in-depth study into the practices and principles of death investigation and autopsy protocols from medical, scientific, and legal perspectives, including the investigation of natural and unnatural causes of death, such as asphyxia, toxicity, blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, and natural disease processes.

This course provides training in crime scene investigative specialties in conjunction with forensic science techniques, including simulated crime scenes beginning with the initial report of the offense and continue through courtroom procedures and the legal process.

Lecture and field experience in the methods and techniques of forensic science. Topics will vary. May be repeated once under a different topic.

A specialized course on biological materials relevant to a legal setting. Topics include microorganisms and bioterrorism, invertebrates, pathology, hair, and human biological materials.

A specialized course on the use of DNA evidence in legal situations. Topics include basic DNA techniques, forensic DNA profiling, DNA databases, and DNA statistics in a lecture and applied format.

See ANT 4355 for course information.

An in-depth study looking at the information the forensic anthropologist provides the medical examiner or coroner in determining the manner of death in a forensic context.

Individual topics not available in formal courses of the department. May include independent study or research; directed reading; supervised work in the library, laboratory, or field; or presentation of material.