Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course provides a broad survey of forensic science applications in criminal investigations. Those areas of sciences that are applicable to crime scene investigations will be covered: geology, biology, chemistry, physics, serology.
Information will be provided on recognizing evidence, how evidence is classed by its value
(class vs. individual), how evidence is submitted to a crime lab to ensure its integrity, and what tests the evidence undergoes in the lab. Students will practice evidence recognition and processing skills, detail-oriented skills by observing and identifying evidence through magnifying glasses, public speaking skills by explaining their processes and results to others, and observation and writing skills by describing a mock death scene and evidence.
This course is designed primarily for those interested in criminal justice as a career and/or desire to learn more about the scientific investigative process. It is required for the Associate°s Degree in Criminal Justice at Portland Community College. Course work will include textbook reading, worksheets on the textbook reading, practical demonstration exercises, lecture/group discussions, videos, student presentations, guest speakers, instantaneous quizzes, and pre-announced multiple choice, true/false, and short essay examinations.
 

• Recognize and collect crime scene evidence
• Analyze evidence using scientific reasoning
• Properly sketch a crime scene

Examinations, practical exercises.

This course will address topics including, but not limited to:

• Definition and scope of Forensic Science
• History of Forensic Science
• Crime Lab Capabilities
• Crime Scene searching, analyzing, processing, sketching
• Legal considerations at crime scenes
• Definition of physical evidence
• Comparison and identification of physical evidence
• Class vs. individual evidence
• Metric measurement
• Glass, soil, hairs, fibers, and paint evidence
• Fingerprint evidence recognition, methods, and processing
• Toxicology
• Ballistics, tool marks, shoe-sole impressions
• Blood evidence, DNA and other areas of Forensic Serology