Courses

• GMS FS 709: Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover the procedures and skills necessary to conduct a thorough medicolegal investigation of death, knowledge of various types of traumatic injuries, the knowledge necessary to understand the characteristics that differentiate the manners of death and the skills to conduct an appropriately directed investigation. The curriculum will prepare the students to take the national certification examinations offered by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment. 2 cr
• GMS FS 710: Death Invest 2
  
• GMS FS 711: Forensic Medicine: Anatomy & Osteology
  Prereq: consent of instructor. This course will provide an overview of basic human anatomy and osteology with an emphasis on understanding the processes underlying traumatic and unexpected deaths encountered in forensic pathology. 2 cr, 1st sem.
• GMS FS 712: Forensic Pathology and Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the role of the medical examiner and the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover autopsy procedures in the investigation of gunshot wounds, sharp and blunt trauma, drowning, asphyxia, child deaths, motor vehicle accidents and time since death determination. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment. 3 cr.
• GMS FS 713: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
  This lecture and lab-based course will provide students with fundamental knowledge in the area of bloodstain pattern analysis including the scientific principles and practical applications of bloodstain pattern analysis for forensic casework. The procedures and methods for recognition, documentation and evaluation of bloodstain patterns will be covered. Additionally, the principles of physics, blood dynamics and the geometric significance of bloodstain patterns will be explored. 2 cr
• GMS FS 714: Human Ident.
  
• GMS FS 716: Homicide Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the art and science of homicide investigation, with an emphasis on the "art". An actual murder investigation and subsequent trial will be used to highlight the investigatory and legal issues an investigator may face, as well as the social and political context in which homicide investigations take place. 2 cr
• GMS FS 718: Special Topics: Techniques in Firearms Investigation
  Prereq: consent of instructor. A primarily lecture-based survey course discussing various aspects of firearms-related investigations including general firearm construction/operation, toolmark comparison, shooting reconstruction, trajectory analysis, chemical analysis of gunshot residues and serial number restoration. Some hands-on techniques will be performed in the laboratory. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
• GMS FS 720: Molecular Biology of Forensic DNA Analysis
  This lecture-based course will discuss theory and application of human genetics and molecular biology to testing of biological evidence. DNA structure and organization of the human genome and types of genetic variation occurring in humans will be covered. Other topics include the history of DNA analysis and current PCR based methods for testing of autosomal STR loci, Y chromosome STR loci and mitochondrial DNA. Lecture material will also cover commonly encountered artifacts in PCR testing, DNA profile interpretation and statistical analysis of results. 3 cr
• GMS FS 721: Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
  This lab-based course will provide theory and practice in procedures used in forensic DNA analysis. Sessions will include use of several DNA extraction techniques, clean technique for contamination prevention, real time PCR for human DNA quantitation, PCR amplification of STR loci and DNA profile analysis. 2 cr
• GMS FS 730: Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Analysis
  This course will build on topics presented in the Forensic DNA Analysis course and laboratory. Students will gain experience interpreting STR data from compromised and mixed source samples, and will understand the theory behind DNA profile frequency calculations. An in-depth review of techniques and methodology used in a forensic DNA laboratory and the roles that accreditation, validation and quality assurance play will be discussed. 2 cr
• GMS FS 735: Analysis of Ignitable Liquids and Explosives
  This course will expose students to an in-depth treatment of the analysis of ignitable liquids and explosives. Practical and theoretical aspects of qualitative and quantitative measurements using current methodologies such as GC/MS and UV-VIS will be discussed. 2 cr
• GMS FS 740: Analysis of Controlled Substances
  This lecture-based course will provide information on the important methods of analysis of most commonly abused illicit substances including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens, amphetamines and novel psychoactive substances. Additionally, the production, distribution and history of these commonly abused drugs will be covered. Laboratory accreditation requirements will also be discussed. 2 cr
• GMS FS 800: Criminal Law II - Mock Court
  This interactive course builds upon the material discussed in Criminal Law and Ethics regarding the criminal trial process, the role of the forensic witness and the presentation of scientific testimony and physical evidence in court. Students will actively participate in presenting testimony as well as critiquing the performance of others in a mock court setting. Instructors may utilize reports and projects prepared in other courses to provide the subject matter for the students' testimony. 2 cr
• GMS FS 803: Advanced Topics in Forensic Chemistry
  This lecture-based course will provide students with an understanding of advanced analytical techniques and physical chemistry applications. Lecture topics will include: hypothesis testing, experimental design, control charts, measuring analytical uncertainty, spectral interpretations and forensic applications of thermodynamics and electrochemistry. 2 cr
• GMS FS 806: Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
  Prereq: GMS FS 701 Crime Science Investigation. This combination hands-on and lecture-based course will cover specialized aspects of crime scene processing and reconstruction with a focus on the use of technology. Topics such as 3-D image capture, advanced UV and IR techniques, use of CAD software and mobile apps for crime scene mapping will be covered. 2 cr
• GMS FS 807: Trace Evidence Analysis Laboratory
  This laboratory-based course will provide hands-on experience with the methods, techniques and instruments used to analyze trace evidence, such as glass, paint, hairs and fibers, with the ultimate goal of identifying and comparing known trace evidence materials with questioned samples. 2 cr
• GMS FS 830: Forensic Toxicology
  This lecture-based course will provide an overview of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of common drugs of interest to the forensic toxicologist. An emphasis will be placed on applying the principles of pharmacokinetics to the interpretation of drug blood and urine levels, and on developing an understanding of how drugs (including ethanol) interact with the biology and physiology of the human body. Students will also acquire knowledge of the chemical structure of common drugs. 3 cr
• GMS FS 840: Case Practicum in Forensic Biology /DNA
  This laboratory course will provide students with the opportunity to independently perform evidence assessment and testing for various types of biological evidence, as well as conduct a technical peer review in a mock forensic case setting. Advanced biological screening and DNA analysis techniques will be employed and students will become practiced in the analysis of complex DNA profiles. 2 cr
• GMS FS 870: Directed Research and Professionalism in Biomedical Forensic Sciences
  Students will register for this course in preparation for conducting a research-based thesis project. With direction from the student's thesis research committee, the student will investigate his/her thesis topic, develop a research plan including an outline of the project, become familiar with quality control and quality assurance issues and begin data collection. As part of the course, students will be required to attend designated instructional/discussion sessions as well as professional/scientific seminars. 2 cr., Fall and Spring sem.

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