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FOSC 401

FOSC 401: Forensic Science Capstone

Prerequisite: FOSC 301 and permission of the instructor

Credit Hours: (4)

This course provides an overview of advanced or special topics in the Forensic Sciences. Through discussions of current literature, cutting-edge developments and controversies in Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Toxicology, Criminalistics, and other applied forensic science disciplines are considered. Students will learn, through reading the primary literature, to critically evaluate research in the discipline and receive the background and training necessary to either design and conduct their own directed research project or gain clinical/laboratory experience in the Forensic Science field of their choice. 

Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. This course serves as the capstone experience for the Forensic Science Minor.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Designed as the capstone experience for students in the Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Minor, this course provides an overview of current and innovative research trends and controversies in the forensic sciences.  Topics include the nature of scientific inquiry, testing, and interpretation of evidence in the forensic sciences, as well as the theoretical, methodological, and legal foundations for its various disciplines.  Through seminar discussions of current literature, cutting-edge developments in Forensic Anthropology, Biology, Odontology, Chemistry, Psychiatry, and Engineering as well as Questioned Documents, Digital Forensics, Criminalistics, and other forensic sciences are investigated.  Students will learn, through reading the primary literature, to critically evaluate research in the discipline and receive the background and training necessary to either design and conduct their own directed research project or gain clinical/laboratory experience in the Forensic Science field of their choice. 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This is a Senior Seminar in Forensic Science and, as such, consists of roundtable discussions of primary literature in the Forensic Sciences. Thus, much of the conduct of this course depends upon student input, with students themselves accepting a great deal of responsibility for the conduct of the course. Forensic case studies and original Forensic Science research will be highlighted.  In addition, students will independently create and implement a research design for a directed Forensic Science study, in consultation with Forensic Science faculty. This will serve as their final senior capstone research project in the minor.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of forensic science as a science, including the nature of scientific inquiry in the forensic sciences;
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the major approaches to forensic science research, the links between theory, methodology, and research, and the role of theory and method in the design and implementation of research in forensic science;
  3. Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the forensic sciences, and the advantages and disadvantages of each; interpret statistical measures of scientific validity;
  4. Read, discuss, and critically evaluate and interpret the primary literature in the forensic sciences, including research designs, methodology, and presentation of scientific results;
  5. Differentiate between scientific, popular science, and common-sense approaches to the understanding of forensic events and evidence;
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of scientific forensic investigation from initial field search and recovery through final laboratory analyses of human remains and associated evidence;
  7. Either create, implement, and present a research design on some aspect of forensic science, or gain clinical/laboratory experience in the forensic sciences;
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between forensic science issues, students’ lives, and the world in which they live;
  9. Produce a professional educational portfolio and prepare for careers in forensic science. 

Assessment Measures  
   
Students will be assessed through weekly writing assignments on readings of primary literature.  In addition, a large portion of their grade will revolve around development, implementation and presentation of their Senior Capstone research project in Forensic Science.

Other Course Information

Readings will be derived from the major journals in Forensic Science (e.g., Journal of Forensic Science) as well as selections from designated recent texts in the discipline—see bibliographic listing from which these readings may be selected in the library section of this proposal (4d).  Use will also be made of field and laboratory supplies and equipment already held within CSAT and RUFSI.

Review and Approval

04/2011

August 2020

March 01, 2021

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