Forensic Science

SEMESTER: 0.5 CREDITS - NCAA Eligible

Students enrolled in Forensic Science will develop a better understanding of the reality of forensic science, which is often contradicted by the fictional forensic science portrayed in entertainment. Students begin by exploring the history and background of forensic science. They discover several forensic science disciplines, such as pathology, anthropology, toxicology, serology, entomology, and odontology. Students learn and use proper lab practices in order to ensure the integrity of any collected organic and inorganic evidence. Students investigate chromatography, spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques. They also explore and survey the impact that DNA analysis and questioned document analysis have on forensic science. This course teaches the proper handling of impression evidence, such as prints from shoes, feet, tires, lips, and fingers, as well as firearm impressions. Students also examine the analysis of trace evidence, including hair and glass. The course concludes with an exploration into the ways in which forensic science is interconnected with the legal system, as well as what the future holds for forensic science. Students will participate in numerous hands-on labs, including measuring a hypothetical time of death, extracting their own DNA, and analyzing their own fingerprint impressions. Forensic Science is ideal for high school students who are interested in forensic science, biology, law, and/or criminalistics. Completion of one full year of high school Biology is required in order to evaluate the numerous biological concepts present in this course. In addition, students must be mature, independent learners and must be comfortable with learning new technology. Please note that the concepts discussed in any forensic science course are intended for mature and responsible students only.