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ENTM 12800

Investigating Forensic Science
Investigating Forensic Science

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About the Course
Designed for both forensic science majors and non-majors, this course will provide an overview of the issues affecting the study and practice of forensic science as defined by the National Academy of Science 2009 report: “Strengthening Forensic Science”. Using a mixture of popular media (film, television, news articles) as well as more conventional academic peer-reviewed articles, students will learn how the scientific method is applied to forensic investigations including; identifying pseudoscience, crime lab procedures, DNA evidence, errors in thinking and problem solving, types of fraud, and the influence of the “CSI Effect”.
Course Goals/Learning Objectives
The primary objective of this course is to expose students to the various sub-disciplines within the field of forensic science and to examine how these sub-disciplines are applied in the context of the justice and legal system. 
 
  • Students will explain the basic concepts of science and the scientific method and how it specifically applies to forensic science. 
  • Students will be familiar with and analyze the sub-disciplines within the field of forensic science.
  • Students will analyze the basic issues associated with the “CSI Effect” and the degree to which it is a hindrance to the criminal justice system.

ENTM 12800

Course Catalog
ENTM 12800 Investigating Forensic Science

Description
Credit Hours: 3.00. Designed for both forensic science majors and non-majors, this course will provide an overview of the issues affecting the study and practice of forensic science as defined by the National Academy of Science 2009 report: "Strengthening Forensic Science". Using a mixture of popular media (film, television, news articles) as well as more conventional academic peer-reviewed articles, students will learn how the scientific method is applied to forensic investigations including; identifying pseudoscience, crime lab procedures, DNA evidence, errors in thinking and problem solving, types of fraud, and the influence of the "CSI Effect". Typically offered Spring.
3.000 Credit hours
Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional
Schedule Types: Distance Learning, Lecture
Offered By: College of Agriculture
Department: Entomology
Course Attributes
Lower Division, UC-Science, Tech & Society, GTC-Science, Tech & Society
May be offered at any of the following campuses: West Lafayette
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize basic phases of science and the procedural steps of the scientific method and explain the difference between the two. 2. Recognize the difference between science and pseudoscience and how poor forensic science impacts the application of law. 3. Understand how basic procedural issues affect crime labs. 4. Recognize how a need for confidence in measurement impacts the scientific method and how this need shapes the current paradigm in forensic science. 5. Recall basic tenants of DNA evidence. 6. Understand the primacy of DNA evidence under the current paradigm of forensic science compared to other forensic science disciplines.
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