Forensic Science 101: An Introduction

Open to the General Public

What is Forensic Science? Forensic science describes the science of linking people, places, and things that are involved in criminal activity. The goal of this online course is to provide the student with a basic, introductory overview of forensic science. The student will learn the fundamentals of the different disciplines that encompass the field of forensic science.

Average of 40 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Automated Fingerprint Identification System

Courses Being Updated Fall 2009, Available January 2010

The goals of this course are twofold: to have the student understand the operations of an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS); and to understand opportunities to improve the cause of justice using the power of AFIS systems. Students will be taught the key elements of AFIS systems, actions and data that can affect outcome, and opportunities to make more identifications.

Average of 34 Hours to Complete  Full Description

The Basics of Biological Evidence

Biological evidence is valuable evidence in criminal investigations. It can be relatively easy to identify and collect once the proper methods of detection, identification, and collection are understood. This course will be an introduction to the concepts encompassing biological evidence.

Average of 9 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Ethics in Forensic Science

This course has been developed in response to the lack of formal ethics education specific to forensic science. While this course includes many "basics," it also relates those ideas to the forensic science profession.

Average of 32 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Forensic Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is used in nearly all branches of science and is one of the best analytical techniques used today. This course has been developed as an orientation and overview of how the mass spectrometer works, how mass spectrometry is used in forensic science, and how to interpret mass spectra.

Average of 31 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Forensic Photography
This online course is being offered as an introductory level course to the basic principles of forensic photography. The units within this course will cover a brief history of photography, a thorough understanding of the principles behind photography, and the techniques used for photographing certain types of crime scenes and evidence.

Average of 28 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Fundamentals of Forensic Questioned Documents
The goal of this online course is to provide the student with an orientation and overview of questioned documents in regards to forensic science. This course coves equipment, training, handwriting identification, distortion, disguise, signatures, variation, forged signatures, the Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), the Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA), and questioned documents in court.

Average of 20 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis

Courses Being Updated Fall 2009, Available January 2010

This course serves as an orientation and overview to hair examination.  The materials in the course have been gathered to assist the student in learning the preliminaries of forensic hair examination and are in no way meant to be a complete hair course.  They are provided for educational purposes.

Average of 25 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS)

This course has been designed to give students the basic understanding of how IBIS is used as an investigative tool for solving gun-related crimes. The units within this course will cover a brief history on firearm identification, the methods of bullet and cartridge case identification, and the uses of IBIS for acquiring ballistics evidence.

Average of 27 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

While many people believe that bloodstain pattern analysis is a new discipline within the forensic science field, the examination of blood at violent crimes has been around for decades. The goal of this online course is to provide the student with a basic, introductory overview of bloodstain pattern analysis. The student will learn the background information and techniques necessary in performing analyses, but this will in no way replace the physical practice required when dealing with actual casework.

Average of 22 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Introduction to Firearms and Toolmarks

This online course is being offered as an introductory level course designed to give the student a basic understanding of firearm and toolmark identification.  The units found within this course will cover the history of firearm and ammunition development, classification of firearms and ammunition components, test firing, proper methods of evidence collection, laboratory testing, microscopic identification, and much more.

Average of 26 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Introduction to Forensic Drug Chemistry

This online course serves as an introduction and basic overview of forensic drug chemistry. It covers a wide variety ot topics associated with controlled substances; including history of drug control, the structure of current drug laws in the United States, history of individual drugs, and specific analytical approaches for specific sample types.

Average of 32 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Roles in Forensic Science: The Sociological Perspective
This course serves as an introduction to the relationships between attorneys, scientific experts, and law enforcement from the time of the initial investigation to the courtroom. The student will be exposed to the various types of forensic experts and the differences between civil and criminal trial preparations. This course will offer insight to how the multiple players in science and law work together for a common goal.

Average of 16 Hours to Complete  Full Description

The Science of Fingerprints

The Science of Fingerprints will provide you with a basic, introductory overview of all friction ridge skin, including fingerprints, palm prints, and foot prints. These units are designed to be an educational introduction to the science of fingerprints.

Average of 33 Hours to Complete  Full Description

Shooting Reconstruction

This course has been designed to give students information about evaluating, interpreting, and reconstructing a shooting scene. The units within this course will cover a general overview of firearms/ammunition and their components, bullet path reconstruction theories and techniques, cartridge case ejection patterns, evidence collection, and firearm/ammunition testing, as well as gunshot wound examination. The course will also discuss the analysis of a shooting scene, and the appropriate mathematical equations to include within the analysis.

Average of 20 Hours to Complete  Full Description