Standard

Posted: 10/19/05

FST 210 – Crime Scene Investigation

 

Course Description

Examines the principles of forensic science specifically the various types of physical evidence, classification of evidence and the role of physical evidence in criminal investigation. Topics include: Class and individual characteristic evidence, identification of fingerprint patterns, development of latent fingerprints, plaster casting, trace evidence, drug identification biological evidence, firearms identification, toxicology, questioned documents and forensic pathology. An explanation of crime laboratory services, physical evidence examination, and the function evidence provides in criminal investigation are additional topics.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

Development & impact of Forensic Science

Class

40

Evidence characteristics

D. Lab

30

Crime scene collection techniques

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Role of evidence in investigations

Credit

5

 

Prerequisite:

FST206 Introduction to Forensic Science

Corequisite:

None

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

 

 

 

 

Development & Impact of Forensic Science

5     

0     

0     

Overview

 

Describe the role of forensic science and identify the impact of forensic science on the investigative process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evidence Characteristics

10

5

0

Types of Evidence

Identify the various types and characteristics of evidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crime Scene Collection Techniques

 

 

 

Evidence Identification 

identification of evidence through crime scene search

15

20

0

 

Identification of fingerprint patterns, trace evidence, narcotics, biological evidence, and physical evidence in general.

 

 

 

Evidence Collection

development of latent fingerprints, plaster casting, trace evidence collection, drug identification, firearms evidence.

 

 

 

 

Collecting photographic evidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Role of Forensic Evidence in Investigations

10

5

0

Overview

Define crime laboratory services, physical evidence examination, and the function evidence provides in criminal investigations.

 

 

 

Forensic Experts

Identify the role of forensic experts in the field and courtroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

Lee, H.C.; Palmbach, T.; Miller, M.T.; (2001) Henry lee’s Crime Scene Handbook. Academic Press.