U74.130 Forensic Science for Non-Science Majors
Text:
Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime and Terrorism / 4th Edition by James E. Girard, Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC,.
Description:
Science has an important role in identifying criminals and in homeland security. This course includes case studies where forensic science has identified the actual criminals or set the wrongly convicted free. Local and international case studies are examined:
In Missouri, a childhood illness was misdiagnosed resulting in the death of the infant and the wrongful incarceration of the mother. Corpses without identifying information from dental records and fingerprints are difficult to identify. Numerous techniques such as isotope studies enable scientists to determine when and where the person lived in addition to DNA studies that can identify the person. Soil and rocks frequently contribute location identification for evidence. DEA agent Enrique Camarena was brutally tortured and killed, soil studies helped solve the case. Law enforcement has difficulty prosecuting the “higher-up” drug criminals; science can trace diluted illegal drugs to the original source. Terrorism and homeland security forensic science is expanding. A case of smuggled highly enriched uranium for atomic bomb making is examined.
Grading will be based on three in class, closed book examinations.
Resources:
- “DNA Idenification of the Missing after the WTC Attacks: A Cooperative Public/Private Effort”
- “Evidence of Injustice: FBI’s Bullet Lead Analysis Used Flawed Science to Convict Hundreds of Defendents”
- Kiki Camarena
- “The Gravel Page”
- “Polonium-210: A Deadly Element”
- “The Death of Alexander Litvinenko”