At the Scene: Crime Solving in the 21st Century

Course Description

Burden of proof? Presumed innocent? Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? Is it your desire to be a crime scene investigator (CSI), medical examiner, or an expert in any other forensic science related field? Are you naturally curious? Can you piece together clues to solve a problem? This course will help hone your investigative skills and review a wide range of science concepts simultaneously. The course focuses on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation and forensic science.

You will be learning many of the concepts that make up the study of "forensic science" including physics, chemistry, anatomy, cell biology, environmental science and math. You will discover how - from toxicology to fingerprints to DNA samples - forensic science has progressed over the past 150 years to meet ever-changing legal standards. You will learn how modern crime scenes are secured and searched, how material and samples are treated in laboratories, and how different types of evidence are used to sort legal fact from criminal fiction.

Your work in class will include labs, case studies, on-line activities and professional visits. Students will do an independent research project related to forensic toxicology. This course takes you beyond "just" the learning of science concepts, it will help you see how science is used to answer questions and solve real-world problems.

Prerequisites: None