Plan of Study – Crime Laboratory Technician

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Crime Laboratory Technician: Cert Achieve

Crime Laboratory Technician: Certificate of Achievement

Certificate Requirements (Minimum of 33 semester hours required.)

FOR 1010 Introduction to Forensic Science (3 s.h.)

Introduction to the theory and application of modern forensic science techniques including analysis of biological samples, drugs, impressions, firearms, and other physical evidence. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: FOR 1010.LB.

FOR1010L Introduction to Forensic Science Lab (1 s.h.)

Introduction to the theory and application of modern forensic science techniques. Fundamental science concepts applied to crime scene evidence collection and analysis. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: FOR 1010.

FOR 3410 Impression and Trace Evidence Analysis (3 s.h.)

Theory and practical application of impression and trace evidence analysis in forensic science from crime scene collection to crime laboratory processing. Fundamental science concepts used in the preservation, analysis, and interpretation of impression and trace evidence applied in the course work and through hands-on laboratory experiments. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, CHM 2220, and CHM 2220.LB. Corequisite: FOR 3410.LB.

FOR3410L Impression and Trace Evidence Analysis Lab (1 s.h.)

Laboratory course focused on the practical application of techniques and instrumentation used in impression and trace evidence analysis, from crime scene collection to crime laboratory processing. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, CHM 2220, and CHM 2220.LB. Corequisite: FOR 3410.

FOR 3420 Firearm and Tool Mark Analysis (3 s.h.)

Introduction to theory and application of firearm and tool mark analysis in forensic science. Fundamental science concepts used in the preservation, analysis, and interpretation of this evidence applied in the course work through hands-on laboratory experiments. Note: laboratory exercises are limited to disabled firearms using standard operating procedures for safety based on FBI laboratory protocols. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: admission to Forensic Science program. Corequisite: FOR 3420.LB.

FOR3420L Firearm and Tool Mark Analysis Lab (1 s.h.)

Laboratory course focused on the use of common techniques and practices in the examination of firearms and tool mark evidence. Note: laboratory exercises are limited to disabled firearms using standard operating procedures for safety based on FBI laboratory protocols. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: admission to Forensic Science program. Corequisite: FOR 3420.

FOR 3430/4640 Option (Choose from: FOR 3430 and FOR 3430 LB; or FOR 4640 and FOR 4640 LB.)

FOR 3430 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3 s.h.)

Examination of bioanthropological methods to aid in cases of forensic or medicolegal importance. The role of the forensic anthropologist and history of the discipline. Overview of the goals, techniques, and broader applications of forensic anthropology. Lecture meets 3 hour per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, BIO 2450, and BIO 2450.LB. Corequisite: FOR 3430.LB.

FOR3430L Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Lab (1 s.h.)

Laboratory course focused on the application of procedures and techniques used by forensic anthropologists in the field. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, BIO 2450, and BIO 2450.LB. Corequisite: FOR 3430.

FOR 4640 Toxicology (BIO/FOR*) (3 s.h.)

Non-laboratory study of cellular and human pathophysiology as a result of toxic insult. Exploration of toxicants includes analysis of impact of human exposure and disease, as well as the forensic examination of samples for toxicants. Prerequisites: BIO 1030, CHM 2210; BIO 2250 or BIO 2460 recommended. Corequisite: FOR 4640.LB

FOR4640L Toxicology Lab (BIO/FOR*) (1 s.h.)

Laboratory experience includes hands-on training in the use of specialized instrumentation for forensic toxicology and the analysis of forensic chemical evidence. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: FOR 4640.00

FOR 4520 Forensic Biology (BIO/FOR*) (3 s.h.)

Theory of current biological methods to the practice of forensic science including serological, immunological, and DNA analyses of human biofluids commonly recovered at crime scenes. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, BIO 3010, BIO 3010.LB, CHM 3610 (BIO) and CHM 3610.LB (BIO). Corequisite: FOR 4520.LB.

FOR4520L Forensic Biology Lab (BIO/FOR*) (1 s.h.)

Laboratory course focused on the application of current biological methods to the practice of forensic science including serological, immunological, and DNA analyses of human biofluids commonly recovered at crime scenes. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program, and BIO 3010, BIO 3010.LB, CHM 3610 (BIO) and CHM 3610.LB (BIO). Corequisite: FOR 4520.

FOR 4540 Forensic Chemistry (CHM/FOR*) (3 s.h.)

Focus on the forensic analysis of trace evidence (glass, soil, hair, fibers, paint and polymers) with emphasis on forensic microscopy and microchemical analysis. Topics include chemical processing for the detection, enhancement, and identification of latent substances. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: Admission to Forensic Science program, CHM 4510, CHM 4510.LB. Corequisite: FOR 4540.LB (CHM)

FOR4540L Forensic Chemistry Lab (CHM/FOR*) (1 s.h.)

Laboratory course focused on the forensic analysis of trace evidence (glass, soil, hair, fibers, paint and polymers) with emphasis on forensic microscopy and microchemical analysis. Experiments include chemical processing for the detection, enhancement, and identification of latent substances. Laboratory meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 4510, CHM 4510.LB, and admission to Forensic Science program. Corequisite: FOR 4540 (CHM).

FOR 4650 Ethics and Expert Testimony (2 s.h.)

Investigative ethics and their implications for forensic science professionals. Overview of the laws governing expert testimony, including on-site case reviews in local courtrooms. The characteristics of an effective expert testimony are exhibited by students in capstone mock testimonies. Lecture meets 2 hours per week. Prerequisites: admission to Forensic Science program and CJ 3040. Corequisite: FOR 4650.LB.

FOR4650L Ethics and Expert Testimony Lab (1 s.h.)

Field experience focused on investigative ethics and their implications for forensic science professionals, including on-site case reviews in local courtrooms. Students will exhibit the characteristics of an effective expert testimony in capstone mock testimonies. Lab/field experience meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: FOR 4650.

WRT 1010 College Composition I (3 s.h.)

Study and practice of strategies for academic writing, with a focus on writing and reading descriptive, narrative, and expository essays. Emphasis on writing as a process. Introduction to information literacy.

Certificate Electives (Minimum of 3 semester hours required. Choose from: FOR 3040 (3 s.h.), FOR 3210 (3 s.h.), FOR 3430 (3 s.h.) and FOR 3430 LB, FOR 4150 (3 s.h.), FOR 4640 (3 s.h.) and FOR 4640 LB (1 s.h.).)

CJ 3040 Criminal Law and Procedure (CJ*/FOR) (3 s.h.)

This course examines the elements of criminal law, its purposes and its legal function. The course will focus on case law that relates to the laws of arrest, search and seizure, the rights and duties of officers and its citizens. Students will study the elements necessary to establish crime and criminal intent, sources of criminal law, criminal investigation procedures, criminal responsibility and general court procedures.

CJ 3210 Principles of Criminology (CJ*/FOR/SOC) (3 s.h.)

Study of the incidence, type, causes, and theories of adult deviant behavior. Emphasis is placed upon current crime trends and statistics and the processes involved in dealing with crime.

CJ 4150 Criminal Investigation (CJ*/FOR) (3 s.h.)

Integration of principles and procedures of criminal investigation; conduct at a crime scene; search, collection, and preservation of evidence; interviewing; methods used in crime laboratories; and planning for effective courtroom participation. Prerequisite: CJ 1020.

FOR 3430 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3 s.h.)

FOR3430L Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Lab (1 s.h.)

FOR 4640 Toxicology (BIO/FOR*) (3 s.h.)

FOR4640L Toxicology Lab (BIO/FOR*) (1 s.h.)