Course Overview
This course provides a critical look at the fundamental principles of forensic science and its origins. Techniques and instrumentation employed by forensic experts, methodology used to maintain continuity and integrity of evidence and evolving best practices are examined and analyzed. The role of physical evidence in civil and criminal trials will be evaluated and challenged based on current practices in forensic science.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate the principles of scientific methodology, comparison, and identification.
- Distinguish the techniques used by the forensic identification specialist to document the crime scene.
- Evaluate the secure management of information and evidence related to collection, storage, and transmission, and access to forensic evidence on computer systems.
- Defend the techniques used by the forensic identification specialist to detect, recover, and analyze evidence.
- Analyze the methods used by the forensic identification specialists to minimize the impact on the crime scene and maintain continuity and integrity of evidence.
- Synthesize the knowledge required to bridge the application of forensic science to forensic health sciences.
- Identify biological evidence suitable for forensic DNA analysis.
- Synthesize scientific explanations of forensic DNA analysis.
- Distinguish the methods used by the forensic entomologist to determine time since death.
- Describe features of the human skeletal system used by the forensic anthropologist to determine sex, age, stature, and race.
- Analyze unique features of the human skeletal system used by the forensic anthropologist to aid in the identification of human skeletal remains.
- Evaluate the applications of trace chemical evidence.
- Describe the classification and identification methods used by the trace chemical evidence expert.
- Distinguish the principles and procedures in making firearm and tool mark identifications.
- Evaluate the responsibilities of the BC Coroners Service and its role in the field of forensic science.
- Assess the principle of facial recognition and the use of facial reconstruction as an investigative tool.
- Describe the fingerprint Henry Classification System, levels of friction ridge detail, and the philosophy of fiction ridge individualization.
- Evaluate the methods and techniques used by the forensic video analysis expert for the scientific examination, comparison and/or evaluation.
- Distinguish the methods and techniques used by the forensic toxicologist to analyze and interpret the presence of drugs/poisons from biological fluids and tissues.
Effective as of Fall 2018
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.