Forensic Science 430
FOSC 430
Criminalistics
1. Catalog Entry
FOSC 430
Criminalistics
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: FOSC 301, FOSC 302, CHEM 301, CHEM 302
The course is an introduction to the primary methods criminalists use to analyze physical evidence recovered from crime scenes. The course offers an introduction to the recognition, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence and its accurate and appropriate use in forensic casework. It includes consideration of latent print, impression, trace evidence, blood spatter, toolmark, ballistic, and other physical evidence with a focus on proper recovery, curation, and examination of this evidence and presentation of it in court.
2. Detailed Description of Course
1) An introduction to the theoretical foundation for pattern analysis of trace
and materials evidence including the comparison of hair, fibers, glass, paint,
latent print, ballistic, and other trace and physical evidence and their
importance in a medico-legal context;
2) An introduction to use of major techniques in criminalistics and pattern analysis
used to analyze, interpret, and critically evaluate trace and material evidence
in a medico-legal context;
3) Familiarity with collection, curation, and examination of trace and material
evidence, including hairs, fibers, toolmarks, blood spatter, latent print,
tire impression, ballistic, and other evidence;
4) The role, training, and context of professional criminalists working as forensic
experts in a medico-legal setting;
5) The role of criminalists in the courtroom as forensic specialists offering expert
testimony;
6) Review of published criminalistics literature, with applications to casework and
students’ own independent research projects and theses;
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Instructional strategies for this course include the following:
1) Traditional lecture-based format for background educational content and historical
and theoretical context relating to the nature of criminalistics as a scientific
discipline;
2) Class discussions centered on issues and controversies surrounding the theoretical
and methodological involvement of criminalistics in medico-legal investigations;
3) Weekly class discussions as well as both in-and out-of-class writings on the primary
published criminalistics literature in the Journal of Forensic Sciences and other
forensic journals;
4) Class discussion of criminalistics casework in terms of the role of criminalists as
expert witnesses in presenting testimony about physical evidence in court;
5) Laboratory exercises aimed at teaching hands-on approaches to basic analytical
methods for examination of physical (trace) evidence, including bullets, hair,
fiber, paint, glass, and explosive residues.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical foundation for pattern analysis of
trace and materials evidence including the comparison of hair, fibers, glass, paint,
latent print, ballistic, and other trace and physical evidence and their importance
in a medico-legal context;
2) Demonstrate a knowledge of the major techniques in criminalistics and pattern
analysis used to analyze, interpret, and critically evaluate trace and material
evidence in a medico-legal context;
3) Demonstrate familiarity with collection, curation, and examination of trace and
material evidence, including hairs, fibers, toolmarks, blood spatter, latent print,
tire impression, ballistic, and other evidence;
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the role, training, and context of professional
criminalists working as forensic experts in a medico-legal setting;
5) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of criminalists in the courtroom as
forensic specialists offering expert testimony;
6) Demonstrate a knowledge of published criminalistics literature, with applications
to casework and students’ own independent research projects and theses;
5. Assessment Measures
Student learning outcomes will be assessed through a variety of methodologies. Within the course, learning may be assessed through some or all of the following:
1) Written course assignments (both inside and out of class) on course content,
research articles, class discussions, films, and guest speakers;
2) Regular in-class examinations (using both essay and objective formats);
3) Participation in class discussions;
4) Participation in laboratory exercises in forensic comparison analysis of trace
analysis;
5) Participation in mock criminalistics casework.
6. Other Course Information
Readings will be derived from the major journals in forensic science (e.g., Journal of Forensic Science) as well as selections from designated recent texts in the discipline. Use will also be made of field and laboratory supplies and equipment already held within CSAT and RUFSI.
Review and Approval