Course Descriptions

FSCS Course Descriptions

• FSCS 201 HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER (3)

  The course involves the investigation of the causes of violence through viewing primary documents and also using secondary sources. These crimes of violence are then viewed through the perspective of investigators both procedural and scientific. Literature searches and summary reports are part of the writing process associated with the course. The course will introduce students to Criminology, Criminalistics, Offender Profiling, and Crime Scene Investigation. This will prepare the student for an introduction to Criminal Justice, Police Science, and Forensic Science. [SBS]

• FSCS 301 FORENSIC SCIENCE (3)

  Introduces students to forensic science topics, including crime scene processing, fingerprints, firearms and toolmarks, questioned documents, serology, fire and explosives, trace evidence, pathology and instrumental analysis. Lectures, demonstrations, and basic laboratory exercises are used to present the subject matter. Laboratory Fee required.

• FSCS 307 CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (3)

  Focuses on the scientific techniques used to investigate different types of crime scenes, including burglaries, ­murders, rapes, arsons, and bombings. Students learn to recognize, identify, ­collect, preserve, transport, record, and process physical evidence such as body fluids, body fluid stains, items of trace evidence, tire and shoe impressions, latent fingerprints, weapons, and tools. Lab fee required.

• FSCS 320 INTERVIEWS AND INTERROGATIONS (3)

  Covers the basic and specific techniques employed in criminal justice interviews and interrogations. Emphasizes processes including the interpretation of verbal and physical behavior. Considers legal issue and distinctions. Upon completion of the course, students are able to understand and conduct interviews and interrogations in a legal, ethical, efficient and professional manner. Prerequisite: none.

• FSCS 325 MICROSCOPY (4)

  Provides instruction in the methods of collecting, handling, preparing, identifying, and comparing items of trace evidence. Topics include use of the steromicroscope, compound microscope, comparison microscope, microspectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope, polarizing microscope, florescent microscope, and hot-stage microscope. These methods are demonstrated and students conduct hands-on analyses of materials using some of this equipment. Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II. Laboratory fee.

• FSCS 337 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (4)

  The use of scientific instruments in forensic testing is the focus of this course. Lectures and laboratories cover instrumentation theory, data systems, method development, and qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques. Techniques discussed include gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatograpy (LC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), ion chromatography (IC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), infrared spectrometry (IR), mass spectrometry (MS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II. Laboratory fee.

• FSCS 354 DEATH INVESTIGATION (3)

  Death investigation explores the medical examiner and homicide investigator perspectives in cases involving human remains. Lecture topics include the cause/manner of death (i.e., sharp and blunt force trauma, thermal injuries, drowning, drug and alcohol abuse, pediatric forensics, gunshot injuries, asphyxia and motor vehicle trauma), and biochemical/physical processes associated with body decomposition. The medical, practical, and legal issues related to forensic and law enforcement investigations will be examined. Pre-requisite: FSCS 301

• FSCS 360 FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY (3)

  Familiarizes students with, and provides basic understanding of, the camera (34mm, digital and video) with respect to crime scene analysis. Using photographic techniques, students will learn how to document a crime scene and pertinent physical evidence including tire impressions, shoe prints, latent prints and blood spatter. In addition, students wil explore available light, flash, flash fill and painting-by-light processes. Students will learn how to construct and maintain a photographic log and how to enter photographs into court as evidence. Students will create a portfolio of their work. Laboratory fee required.

• FSCS 400 LABORATORY SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE (3)

  Introduces students to the various principles of safety and quality assurance in a forensic laboratory. Laboratory safety topics include OSHA standards. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), workplace safety, personal protective equipment, employer liability, and employee responsibilities. Quality assurance topics include quality concepts and quality assurance principles, documentation, document control, standard operating procedures, proficiency testing, validation standards, test standards, instrument calibration, instrument maintenance, auditing principles, laboratory accreditation and analyst certification. Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, and Physics I and II.

• FSCS 403 TRACE EVIDENCE (4)

  Focuses on the acquisition and analysis of trace materials commonly found in crime scenes. Laboratory fee required. prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II, and FSCS 325 and FSCS 337 I.

• FSCS 404 FIRE DEBRIS AND EXPLOSIVES ANALYSIS (4)

  Introduces fire debris analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the analysis of some low explosives using GC-MS and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). Laboratory fee required. Prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II, FSCS 301 and FSCS 337.

• FSCS 409 FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS (4)

  Introduces the scheduling of controlled substances and presents their analysis by crystal tests, color tests and instrumental techniques. prerequisites: Biology I, Chemistry I, and ii, Organic Chemistry i and II, Physics I and II, and FSCS 301 and FSCS 337. Laboratory fee required.

• FSCS 410 FORENSIC BIOLOGY (4)

  Students will study the forensic theory and methodology for identification, collection, preservation, and examination of biological evidence, with emphasis on bodily fluids (blood, urine, semen, saliva) and nuclear/mitochondrial DNA analysis. Lecture content will be supplemented by practical experiments featuring some of the most common techniques currently employed by forensic laboratories. Pre-requisites: Biology I, Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, FSCS 301.

• FSCS 412 FIREARMS/TOOL MARKS EXAMINATION (3)

  Firearms evidence is a major class of evidence developed in forensic related cases. The questions of identification, operability, and derived evidence are addressed and discussed. Related evidence such as tool mark evidence is also developed and explained. Prerequisite: none. Laboratory Fee required.

• FSCS 418 MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS (3)

  Successful investigations often rely on careful application of mathematics. In this course, students will learn to interpret and construct graphs and tables, calculate clearance rates, and conduct trend analysis. The concepts of probability and other statistical techniques as they relate to biological evidence (e.g. DNA interpretation, blood spatter analysis) and narcotics evidence (sampling) will also be discussed.

• FSCS 424 FOURTH AMENDMENT : INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION (3)

  Covers the doctrines and cases inherent in and arising from the Fourth Amend­ment: the law of arrest, search and seizure, standing, forfeiture, and derivative evidence. Organized as a topical analysis, the course identifies the ­elements of each constitutional area and references major federal and state cases to illustrate the application and source of the rules.

• FSCS 426 INNOVATIVE INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES (3)

  Advanced techniques and strategies designed to further aid in investigating serious or complex crimes are presented. Particular attention is paid to the procedural aspects of police activity as they relate to the admissibility of evidence in state and federal prosecutions. Content includes improvements to basic investigative skills and a discussion of alternative tactics. Also covered are the necessary, suggested, and explicit requirements for a federal Title III investigation and a Maryland wiretap investigation.

• FSCS 440 ADVANCED CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (3)

  The protection and analysis of a crime scene is a complex procedure. Information is obtained by utilizing ever increasing skills and technology. The skills involve the use of improved casting techniques, enhanced latent fingerprinting techniques and sophisticated new photographic techniques. This course introduces the student to these techniques. Lab Fee. Prerequisite: FSCS 307-Crime Scene Investigation

• FSCS 455 HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION (3)

  Analysis of homicide investigation from the viewpoint of the homicide detective exploring the legal issues and the practical use of interviews, interrogations, and medical and trace forensic evidence. prerequisite: None

• FSCS 456 CHEMISTRY OF DEATH (3)

  Explores the fate of the human body at the time of death to the decomposition of the body into the lithosphere. Study considers biochemical and physical process involved in taphonomy. prerequisites: none

• FSCS 462 INTRODUCTION TO DOCUMENT EXAMINATION (3)

  Focuses on the origins and styles of writing and materials used in writing and in the formation of documents. prerequisite: permission of the program director.

• FSCS 464 HANDWRITING ANALYSIS (3)

  Introduction to the study of hand writing analysis as relevant to the forensic analysis of documents. prerequisite: permission of program director.

• FSCS 466 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS IN DOCUMENT EXAMINATION (4)

  Practical experience in using instrumental techniques to examine documents by spectral imaging and impression analysis. Laboratory fee required. prerequites: FSCS 462, FSCS 464 and permission of the program director.

• FSCS 480 FORENSIC DOCUMENTATION (3)

  Prepares students to document and ­manage cases properly from inception to successful conclusion. Students gain a basic understanding of investigative and forensic case documentation.

• FSCS 482 MOOT COURT AND TRIAL ADVOCACY FOR FORENSICS (3)

  Students learn courtroom presentation techniques designed to elicit direct, persuasive, and comprehensive testimony as it relates to various evidentiary issues at criminal hearings and trials. Students prepare and present direct testimony and are cross-examined by attorneys in a simulated courtroom setting. [CAP][OC]

• FSCS 484 ART AND FORENSICS (3)

  An introduction to various styles of art and their analysis using forensic techniques. Security, storage and exhibition are examined. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: none

• FSCS 487 FIELD INTERNSHIP IN FORENSIC SCIENCE (3)

  Provides field experience to students through laboratory assignments with various criminal justice entities. This requirement is completed at the end of the program. Eligible for continuing studies grade.

• FSCS 493 HONORS SEMINAR (3)

  An advanced interdisciplinary seminar that focuses on important books and issues and encourages independent thinking, clear presentation and an understanding of the concerns and methods of various disciplines. The course may be team taught; topic and instructor(s} may change from semester to semester. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Prerequisites; 3.5 GPA and permission of both the Denit Honors Program director

• FSCS 494 HONORS PROJECT (3 - 6)

  Directed indiv\dua\ instructioo in an advanced prQjec\ of ina student's choice; ihe prQject must be academically related to this discipline. Each student works closely with afaculty director who guides hislher progress. The project must be of honors qualit1 and must be 'fina\\y approved by both the fatuity director and asecond facult1 member. Course is eligible for a continuing studies grade. Prerequisites: Honors standing. 3.5 GPA and permission of both the Denit Honors Program director and the faculty director

• FSCS 496 FIELD INTERNSHIP IN POLICE SCIENCE (3)

  Broadens the educational experience of students through appropriate observational and work assignments with criminal investigation units. This requirement is completed at the end of the program. Eligible for continuing studies grade.

• FSCS 497 TOPICS IN FORENSICS (3)

  Examines special topics and issues in the field of forensics such as homicide investigation, blood spatter analysis, and forensic medicine and public health. Course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes.

• FSCS 498 LABORATORY TOPICS IN FORENSICS (4)

  This course will cover special laboratory topics and issues in the field of forensics such as DNA analysis, questioned document examination, and drug analysis. FSCS 498 may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. No prerequisite unless listed in the schedule of classes.

• FSCS 499 DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY (1 - 6)

  No course description available.

• FSCS 740 GRADUATE INTERNSHIP (3)

  Provides field experience to students through laboratory assignments with various forensic or criminal justice entities. Course is completed at the end of the program and requires submission of a journal and a research paper. Eligible for continuing studies grade. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all foundation courses in MSFS degree program and permission of program director.